tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72534106761985323242024-03-17T03:06:02.003-05:00Adventure of the monthbertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-10726947299180836152024-01-21T19:38:00.000-05:002024-03-12T19:35:37.928-05:00Punakha: What's up with all that dong?<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8G_q_Gb_wafvUBgmlfpwogDyX0X92bl2BwLvAle0vlLVbgpRWVorPWtK83MQshVv6ouun_l7xd130Pd0cfQRHOExi3E2le8ircyLCapxRsCsSRRUGNLfGBqnrW4_7IHE5DzDVO_i0qac1h7VHVjQysS4FB_0nVyqSnjqId3ZxsOWuSttx9cN1_kFw3f6/s4032/IMG_9069.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8G_q_Gb_wafvUBgmlfpwogDyX0X92bl2BwLvAle0vlLVbgpRWVorPWtK83MQshVv6ouun_l7xd130Pd0cfQRHOExi3E2le8ircyLCapxRsCsSRRUGNLfGBqnrW4_7IHE5DzDVO_i0qac1h7VHVjQysS4FB_0nVyqSnjqId3ZxsOWuSttx9cN1_kFw3f6/w640-h480/IMG_9069.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bhutan is a land of surprises. It's not in the mountainous beauty or the Buddhist tranquility that permeates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the land. That's par for the course in this part of the world. It's in the unexpected tidbits that emerge when you start learning their history. For example, did you know that television and the internet were not legal until <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan_Broadcasting_Service#:~:text=For%20a%20long%20time%2C%20Bhutan,Singye%20Wangchuck's%20silver%20jubilee.">1999</a>? This is not a typo. The first television broadcast in Bhutan occured on June 2, 1999 in celebration of the King's jubilee (and possibly my birthday). When Prince sang about partying like it's 1999, it's possible he meant finally having one whole television channel at your disposal. However, if you happened to live outside of Thimpu, you had to wait until February 2006 for the privilege. This isolation, both geographic and cultural, goes a long way towards explaining the strong traditions that still permeate Bhutanese life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's wild. You never know when the next startling revelation is going to drop, but rest assured it will. While cruising along a breathtaking mountain pass, we came across the Dochula Pass. This is where you will find 108 chortens (or stupas) commemorating Bhutanese soldiers who died in a 2003 battle with Indian separatists who were hiding out in the countryside. The insurgents were successfully expelled and the Queen chose the most scenic possible setting to honor the fallen soldiers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQB1bi8TD1dnu5wU0QZKDf0ubFTQwixMW-hz-dWq-CRjm-DWzXGqTe0s_JJGqZiz0HEKXuzD43RqvG0yo4YhV069Ek3wiGteTucArSmggfUcT5WagsFkJ1iCOo1r87qMScyW1hUJuAB5-BkfaYFoofHFndS37VV_VmgWMz2ayGJGm7h3I4MfcwB14tiXG/s4032/IMG_9065.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQB1bi8TD1dnu5wU0QZKDf0ubFTQwixMW-hz-dWq-CRjm-DWzXGqTe0s_JJGqZiz0HEKXuzD43RqvG0yo4YhV069Ek3wiGteTucArSmggfUcT5WagsFkJ1iCOo1r87qMScyW1hUJuAB5-BkfaYFoofHFndS37VV_VmgWMz2ayGJGm7h3I4MfcwB14tiXG/w640-h480/IMG_9065.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWd3qvnbFJfltfXg0jeJRqcI6q0c93Qob8o7OzGcjGLVTyz6oKSe2MoeQlGGwcTY8xjE-lVJOdjeOAB6LErzUr9DwhXIL8KvYopuZDKHPJObZd76U_FhO-jimfzp7QZkqgXviYCdL0QQPj519qw_Ho3udSskbjLdF8ITbv4NbzJyFK6qibvPqi5Zv7Uud/s4032/IMG_9067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWd3qvnbFJfltfXg0jeJRqcI6q0c93Qob8o7OzGcjGLVTyz6oKSe2MoeQlGGwcTY8xjE-lVJOdjeOAB6LErzUr9DwhXIL8KvYopuZDKHPJObZd76U_FhO-jimfzp7QZkqgXviYCdL0QQPj519qw_Ho3udSskbjLdF8ITbv4NbzJyFK6qibvPqi5Zv7Uud/w480-h640/IMG_9067.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkCcgkn1iYayaK3mH0bCk3ZD6etn8ZZ9o7oqNmMcA2CK2HSN-GC_WVJ9Z4SpjtzDFQEP8T2M3XTiU6dADsPB0KxeHBe1tTacNsHc4U8UWkBeU8KNDZCcTMYnIZcz4rkGSGRTkyg_kjfRtKs4RkU2s8nP0pftyEf1EuRf08YBNUIO96yEqX4UsfheUiSYW/s4032/IMG_9094.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkCcgkn1iYayaK3mH0bCk3ZD6etn8ZZ9o7oqNmMcA2CK2HSN-GC_WVJ9Z4SpjtzDFQEP8T2M3XTiU6dADsPB0KxeHBe1tTacNsHc4U8UWkBeU8KNDZCcTMYnIZcz4rkGSGRTkyg_kjfRtKs4RkU2s8nP0pftyEf1EuRf08YBNUIO96yEqX4UsfheUiSYW/w480-h640/IMG_9094.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Nothing so surprising there. Every country has its war memorials and why wouldn't you choose the highest pass with the best Himalayan views?<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GmD51iQPfALzWDehrcFUHxHQ-P91BRs2vU2iWYRwk1EpXLbRqLI3tgzv_Gi1n_Tju8mAUhuaufE08enpJrKsMssLlRlGaL6hf5pZ27MoQWPGlh_r8GpqJcB2ws5PfDnzbetoRbOZ7J_SQS20ZCsWd7y-n2oyTkcPXPr_dFQg-R5TTFX3nCgDKjR5HbSS/s4032/IMG_9098.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GmD51iQPfALzWDehrcFUHxHQ-P91BRs2vU2iWYRwk1EpXLbRqLI3tgzv_Gi1n_Tju8mAUhuaufE08enpJrKsMssLlRlGaL6hf5pZ27MoQWPGlh_r8GpqJcB2ws5PfDnzbetoRbOZ7J_SQS20ZCsWd7y-n2oyTkcPXPr_dFQg-R5TTFX3nCgDKjR5HbSS/w640-h480/IMG_9098.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE5XRAquAoJ7zEiOTgp8-UHl0Q-z0ebdTtYr_ew2J2n8x4f91qqvosauNfnUJDSO0FtcrnM2_71PEEGf54YiXvHtB0omTzXDEgRIHWAPKXCnD4lAWo-j7HNY42Lx52SGciVsxoKHS5pA08bYo1ZBBauRJ9wu0FJo6LupTb57M_nHPy3MZcvygGs5PLLfD/s4032/B738283C-9893-4910-8D2C-36B95A5B6FD8.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE5XRAquAoJ7zEiOTgp8-UHl0Q-z0ebdTtYr_ew2J2n8x4f91qqvosauNfnUJDSO0FtcrnM2_71PEEGf54YiXvHtB0omTzXDEgRIHWAPKXCnD4lAWo-j7HNY42Lx52SGciVsxoKHS5pA08bYo1ZBBauRJ9wu0FJo6LupTb57M_nHPy3MZcvygGs5PLLfD/w640-h480/B738283C-9893-4910-8D2C-36B95A5B6FD8.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPjeBvD-b_tihGbGsGgpAXDmDq5h5db1R6FApBrHMk6wBvWo2edzD9wpaSxfRTB7GubzhDGD0VNCDqx7G3alx9ppyspDsphw2ogoSD6yOIEgnx9HOE8q9xU6jDTNOrypWtKRnBRQsrMRf5ZqwtOr4pyAncXOyYVbBp8gTjpuAT7JQjlU34cuwke-fZIgq/s4032/IMG_9102.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPjeBvD-b_tihGbGsGgpAXDmDq5h5db1R6FApBrHMk6wBvWo2edzD9wpaSxfRTB7GubzhDGD0VNCDqx7G3alx9ppyspDsphw2ogoSD6yOIEgnx9HOE8q9xU6jDTNOrypWtKRnBRQsrMRf5ZqwtOr4pyAncXOyYVbBp8gTjpuAT7JQjlU34cuwke-fZIgq/w480-h640/IMG_9102.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyi6PeHhbwDq3WAeL6kggOmwG7i6IeACahHd0NM4uMZshAQf6cF_STkCl55zM0qlkZxVbLca5ycZlXE_W6St3WjlRDdWGtLZNRWZuzwIQNtRdfWbwVx74Vdl5gLmRn-4eriRH4RhdIZKDKVaKE6N6-HyIftaNRB_x9Ksu4efVQkA0UBqfUDvs2QytUSvg/s4032/IMG_9104.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyi6PeHhbwDq3WAeL6kggOmwG7i6IeACahHd0NM4uMZshAQf6cF_STkCl55zM0qlkZxVbLca5ycZlXE_W6St3WjlRDdWGtLZNRWZuzwIQNtRdfWbwVx74Vdl5gLmRn-4eriRH4RhdIZKDKVaKE6N6-HyIftaNRB_x9Ksu4efVQkA0UBqfUDvs2QytUSvg/w640-h480/IMG_9104.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>What got my attention was who commissioned this particular memorial. Credit goes to the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo, the wife of former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Or better said, she is one of his wives. The former king, who is very much alive, abdicated to his eldest son, the current king. The ex-king's wives are also alive and well, all four of them. Each wife has her own home, security detail, etc and the king is free to drop in on whichever one he happens to be in the mood for. Polygamy not surprising enough? Let's throw in that all four wives are sisters. Not as in sister wives, mind you, but as in they were born of the same set of parents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>No wonder television was so late in coming. Who needs Days of Our Lives, when your royal portrait feature a throuple +2?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdghkq5p16WNGYjpFbw-voo3kMsQvLF-ljyWiY7Fo_acYAT1t3A_lYGnXTUx9iVCSDl3b1B0OQ_BGI_ssA-THNB3DzGJuzFLze6PeDes-l-fOR3g_UWhIrTJquQHMebyAW-nnkaTXn-fWY2yzUFqAP_pkPUXaHIuX71fOxX5T4zGu7mepkIAqqdnCEFMr/s4032/IMG_9136.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdghkq5p16WNGYjpFbw-voo3kMsQvLF-ljyWiY7Fo_acYAT1t3A_lYGnXTUx9iVCSDl3b1B0OQ_BGI_ssA-THNB3DzGJuzFLze6PeDes-l-fOR3g_UWhIrTJquQHMebyAW-nnkaTXn-fWY2yzUFqAP_pkPUXaHIuX71fOxX5T4zGu7mepkIAqqdnCEFMr/w640-h480/IMG_9136.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Then there is the city of Punakha. There is no way to talk about Punakha without discussing Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman. He was a 15th century Tibetan monk turned saint who roamed Bhutan spreading Buddhism via his "flaming thunderbolt of wisdom". Pretty grandiose term when you realize he is talking about his dick. Then again, he is also known as the Saint of 5000 women, so he must have been doing something right. </div><div><br /></div><div>When a demoness was terrorizing the village, the Divine Madman was called in to use his thunderbolt to cast her out. Fearing his powers, she turned herself into a dog, thinking she could go unnoticed. Silly demoness. She was no match for his mighty dong. He found her, hit her with the thunderbolt (because you really don't get enough beastiality in religious stories these days) and trapped her inside of a rock. To commemorate this, the Chimi Lhakhang temple was erected on that same spot. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were there to visit that temple. The path, cutting through rice paddies, starts out pretty normal.You've got prayer wheels, prayer flags, the usual... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2BeJzUhE4N5sHkmk9Zd3hPkKtk7ZOLHcxYdaQqYX8Sg6NCbdCLTsYzCKlteRixZtLM4f1g4zFUfLMbz_CVPBpJrvbJaLhQefRDC0raOUayA4kU9pK_PRrlOe92L8JnP0U1iwdqUuTXFjxYD8VFd472b9glwKzFL7DjUry03l71oRe3Xcn6OrLnRWFf7A/s4032/IMG_9146.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2BeJzUhE4N5sHkmk9Zd3hPkKtk7ZOLHcxYdaQqYX8Sg6NCbdCLTsYzCKlteRixZtLM4f1g4zFUfLMbz_CVPBpJrvbJaLhQefRDC0raOUayA4kU9pK_PRrlOe92L8JnP0U1iwdqUuTXFjxYD8VFd472b9glwKzFL7DjUry03l71oRe3Xcn6OrLnRWFf7A/w480-h640/IMG_9146.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1-WTMRuy8sEPSnUkkY0pXSHCpgdnbFtpoJPq0zzft0D28i4JZrO-UX66ep_omAARm_SohyphenhyphenMLBRcn7MwlAptgjKPhCgFOtS8hlyZwKJjG5dDpS2afRIweSJ70vLxsLl7KQLpHxfDOPzzw19TeHJkesrb1MBqc02CnERWtdLyyYhfd9OlCuWzVC13sUOT-/s4032/IMG_9147.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1-WTMRuy8sEPSnUkkY0pXSHCpgdnbFtpoJPq0zzft0D28i4JZrO-UX66ep_omAARm_SohyphenhyphenMLBRcn7MwlAptgjKPhCgFOtS8hlyZwKJjG5dDpS2afRIweSJ70vLxsLl7KQLpHxfDOPzzw19TeHJkesrb1MBqc02CnERWtdLyyYhfd9OlCuWzVC13sUOT-/w480-h640/IMG_9147.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But then, you start to notice some unusual adornments. All Bhutanese buildings feature painted artwork on their facades, usually in the form of abstract patterns or mythical animals. Punakha hits a bit different. There, on the lovely homes, stores, restaurants are unmistakable renderings of penii. Small, large, veiny, hairy, spouting, smiling...it is the Baskin Robbins 36 flavors variety pack. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is believed that the depiction of a phallus on one's home will protect its inhabitants from evil and malicious gossip. Personally, I can't think of anything that would make me talk about my neighbors more than a vividly rendered schlong on the side of their house but cultural differences are what make this a fascinating world.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNJk_YPS7zpPGDmz5ct3PeInIgnbO6xDeMH9900nCNgRP4HPHiDYrkksHjc_vPPXuC1S9brzPujxTH5hSdYAbb2WDVE5sikOO4NGtrR1QYx-_sHlVjFVXukdaFTk-GcMbTvM9cmGZGdiBZre9fPDkswuc0h9TBXdnTJNpRMs6NRY8lzxFVfe4MOO6b_7F/s2194/IMG_9148.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2194" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNJk_YPS7zpPGDmz5ct3PeInIgnbO6xDeMH9900nCNgRP4HPHiDYrkksHjc_vPPXuC1S9brzPujxTH5hSdYAbb2WDVE5sikOO4NGtrR1QYx-_sHlVjFVXukdaFTk-GcMbTvM9cmGZGdiBZre9fPDkswuc0h9TBXdnTJNpRMs6NRY8lzxFVfe4MOO6b_7F/w640-h610/IMG_9148.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZvFU1xXhNYL9j83-HbjUPDcqOlbj1orLpOqT9WqTeBBYUNMbG_LbmLG1bBcy2KO7e2muNdQcZikff-mdfnd74lXgCSRTq22_kep5tek0VImmKcQkvnKEJdY92zLlMcs0zG2NX8oszDOXobAC6QrUEHa_OziwtMK3y_97qOpnmGhzFBnR4BXtrl4KhF1L/s4032/IMG_9149.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZvFU1xXhNYL9j83-HbjUPDcqOlbj1orLpOqT9WqTeBBYUNMbG_LbmLG1bBcy2KO7e2muNdQcZikff-mdfnd74lXgCSRTq22_kep5tek0VImmKcQkvnKEJdY92zLlMcs0zG2NX8oszDOXobAC6QrUEHa_OziwtMK3y_97qOpnmGhzFBnR4BXtrl4KhF1L/w640-h480/IMG_9149.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSErSl4e74PIq_IjFCxlIoA1L_XRro_o2C3WvJ7hInH4bSd_e7_TNiM78WK37yIVWF8rtiynlMh3sUYo8ufNNVarZ385OQf2ClqgYBGK2lMJvL9uAxRxujL-m_JpVFYAltACLVmhBlr6ZfphYjgfeoeUHd8pQLNbO3-i5Yp8XPuXyB1UgJMDw1FTysKMv/s4032/IMG_9142.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSErSl4e74PIq_IjFCxlIoA1L_XRro_o2C3WvJ7hInH4bSd_e7_TNiM78WK37yIVWF8rtiynlMh3sUYo8ufNNVarZ385OQf2ClqgYBGK2lMJvL9uAxRxujL-m_JpVFYAltACLVmhBlr6ZfphYjgfeoeUHd8pQLNbO3-i5Yp8XPuXyB1UgJMDw1FTysKMv/w480-h640/IMG_9142.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu5zLHuyM0sK8ToMGVTNb0ZD1RNhx7pioMq4KGkTdkUEk5zYMcsPNKr92zR55PH-rnD2JC6winNhlJfmgavjLrO2c15PNLl30OEDUNMtNS6ImQjPLYmYHlK_W04WxJSHnSVGTOSPsXdi4QVbZIxRgmBU3x_jxVVFxBVKbgdl-WJNhs9UAzkVE9F8ytRiq/s4032/IMG_9140.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu5zLHuyM0sK8ToMGVTNb0ZD1RNhx7pioMq4KGkTdkUEk5zYMcsPNKr92zR55PH-rnD2JC6winNhlJfmgavjLrO2c15PNLl30OEDUNMtNS6ImQjPLYmYHlK_W04WxJSHnSVGTOSPsXdi4QVbZIxRgmBU3x_jxVVFxBVKbgdl-WJNhs9UAzkVE9F8ytRiq/w480-h640/IMG_9140.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted my home protected. I wanted to ward off the chismosas in my life. I looked in a couple of stores to find the perfect phallus but never quite found one that spoke to me. It's not the first or last time I'd be accused of being too picky when it comes to these things. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTWdEBq6YG4FHqFJ0IShUiE16ap1gX3MUdgkSVlTvFtkJPRvPVNQD9kod1VFQj7q5WhSeoqJ92D_dum2WEhQQpYMB8hc3Sxwt9-5MY0-_9fO_ZQ5UZAwOit-vuSQE3ra8uvVLIpep3aUOeiMWnImVM5I3v_XRxr0ayBJWgPai71vOa3lk_9tsdd7b-d9Z/s4032/IMG_9151.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTWdEBq6YG4FHqFJ0IShUiE16ap1gX3MUdgkSVlTvFtkJPRvPVNQD9kod1VFQj7q5WhSeoqJ92D_dum2WEhQQpYMB8hc3Sxwt9-5MY0-_9fO_ZQ5UZAwOit-vuSQE3ra8uvVLIpep3aUOeiMWnImVM5I3v_XRxr0ayBJWgPai71vOa3lk_9tsdd7b-d9Z/w640-h480/IMG_9151.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPMKhCXSkNiBIUDfmnJ67HM-u7QI0j6FA50BTlgbjmWW369Y7vOERwf1zJsITLX7eiRpJEfQNFf6c9TDQ4APWIpmjCvtDU9hX5D_QswuCfz6vGU2UBFXkR5FWFRuxbH0cKsjn1wqAA01lNQoynV3goD5deMsZkj_TcnkdvGqK93hOxxgc1vZqDbJ1iZP4/s4032/IMG_9167.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPMKhCXSkNiBIUDfmnJ67HM-u7QI0j6FA50BTlgbjmWW369Y7vOERwf1zJsITLX7eiRpJEfQNFf6c9TDQ4APWIpmjCvtDU9hX5D_QswuCfz6vGU2UBFXkR5FWFRuxbH0cKsjn1wqAA01lNQoynV3goD5deMsZkj_TcnkdvGqK93hOxxgc1vZqDbJ1iZP4/w480-h640/IMG_9167.jpeg" width="480" /></a>\</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3tkrcCszwQY7HX-9gaKHbShLEYjcfBLpWweoZJjkHjQblrnGn4ucRNS81UVKzptf5ap8BmUI4BZZklNurTk6d47Eh8MAjEbqAcYrqiI7euJNUD2jb1PaNHtce1dmsAnA62st_MsMjnFn3q4h7g27dws-hTr0Ov8NVQB2ANof_l-NmNHu99CkHGGwr47I/s4032/08C14EAE-0F95-44E9-88F7-8517AA0815E7.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3tkrcCszwQY7HX-9gaKHbShLEYjcfBLpWweoZJjkHjQblrnGn4ucRNS81UVKzptf5ap8BmUI4BZZklNurTk6d47Eh8MAjEbqAcYrqiI7euJNUD2jb1PaNHtce1dmsAnA62st_MsMjnFn3q4h7g27dws-hTr0Ov8NVQB2ANof_l-NmNHu99CkHGGwr47I/w480-h640/08C14EAE-0F95-44E9-88F7-8517AA0815E7.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wZusVLmdQBGekuUFOB8aY_WlooKFTWUHtNw-nfDd9iqLJTc2iG4D9OmP95zwwTwiLhvOA6lFfVKSSWyb0gX5WX1afsv29t4zKYQmj_wVpuL2SSyY95-JOe67zBG1nKHn0teZXLMEr6UkTkm3-ghs7Mp2UhgtxpLRH1Bu6GGBewn_Cx3_7hfrOEuSvbdB/s4032/IMG_9160.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wZusVLmdQBGekuUFOB8aY_WlooKFTWUHtNw-nfDd9iqLJTc2iG4D9OmP95zwwTwiLhvOA6lFfVKSSWyb0gX5WX1afsv29t4zKYQmj_wVpuL2SSyY95-JOe67zBG1nKHn0teZXLMEr6UkTkm3-ghs7Mp2UhgtxpLRH1Bu6GGBewn_Cx3_7hfrOEuSvbdB/w640-h480/IMG_9160.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr-K-gChzz1povumktkaacn-mmcdWYI3NCdIFiQRDjqWAelLMg-5o4ngXrby2Dl98kg5X2LVzH34w4fqBQgEBFYb8MaaQRCMxAuJHPATbaF1cbwbzCgF-eP4lbDdZ0p6Gr2tFaoiwTrI5cy68lIVEVJ6xcGtdBjYcoCfiMgwsqxAC-NV1LuvyuLwPHd7D/s4032/IMG_9166.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr-K-gChzz1povumktkaacn-mmcdWYI3NCdIFiQRDjqWAelLMg-5o4ngXrby2Dl98kg5X2LVzH34w4fqBQgEBFYb8MaaQRCMxAuJHPATbaF1cbwbzCgF-eP4lbDdZ0p6Gr2tFaoiwTrI5cy68lIVEVJ6xcGtdBjYcoCfiMgwsqxAC-NV1LuvyuLwPHd7D/w480-h640/IMG_9166.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The temple itself was not as ornate as some of the others but is fascinating all the same. For fairly obvious reasons, it is known as a fertility temple. Couples wanting children visit with offerings. In exchange, the monk will perform a ceremony and then roll an ancient dice. That dice will tell them if the ceremony worked. If the couple isn't happy with the result, they can re-roll and go best out of three. After that, they need to come back on a later day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a way, this makes sense to me. There are so many stories of couples who stress about being unable to have children before giving up and adopting. No sooner do they finalize the adoption papers than the couple, now free of pressure, becomes pregnant. The dice is telling them that they got this and to stop worrying about it. I'll bet it works. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The monks also offer regular, non-baby related blessings and by regular, I mean they have two foot-long wooden dongs, wrapped together in a white cloth, which they use to freely tap visitors on the forehead. If you are wondering if I took the duo-dongs to the head that day, the answer is yes, I most certainly did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKyNA-0WTIYnAMi52UdtoWM-Jz8XGssqwYNFbRczS7m_6QCX8_dZ2ohD32bXN1Z81U25ZQF8__uTeLlAFihOXk2K1T4iUQaXHprFETfCcwS1o1w2TedMVEfTbTmNKiEN_1aE-fEX3j9QUc6qQGbzNOG9y9UzvUNrbDwXCmQ4lOg6yBGudKMMZdj3Bvn3J/s4032/IMG_9154.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKyNA-0WTIYnAMi52UdtoWM-Jz8XGssqwYNFbRczS7m_6QCX8_dZ2ohD32bXN1Z81U25ZQF8__uTeLlAFihOXk2K1T4iUQaXHprFETfCcwS1o1w2TedMVEfTbTmNKiEN_1aE-fEX3j9QUc6qQGbzNOG9y9UzvUNrbDwXCmQ4lOg6yBGudKMMZdj3Bvn3J/w640-h480/IMG_9154.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next surprise, which was more of a "No, seriously, WTF are you doing??" was the gift shops selling Cordyceps. For anyone who has not seen "The Last of Us", the entire premise of the show is that cordyceps, a fungus that grows freely in Bhutan, starts infecting humans turning them into mindless zombies. This is a thing that actually happens with <a href="https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/2023/02/16/zombie-fungus-from-the-last-of-us-is-it-real">insects</a>. I know there are alleged health benefits but why, in the year 2024, are we tempting fate and encouraging people to eat zombie fungus??!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSuP4nt5n8dUR-vN8q-M2hEpNi21-kEyYVJsEaTfrcwr8x3xdgz_i4Ww116zFtsG2QAO2Q41vtW5ZMeDoaf4VAOcxlf9ITeb45xqufLJgrcmUjM7mdurBBfmhgc_D5onN8xSAvM6ldWB1by55yzV0tWduQaQPljtFsoYMjrug0JjzBbw9lahyphenhyphenUUL0tE5Z/s4032/IMG_9164.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSuP4nt5n8dUR-vN8q-M2hEpNi21-kEyYVJsEaTfrcwr8x3xdgz_i4Ww116zFtsG2QAO2Q41vtW5ZMeDoaf4VAOcxlf9ITeb45xqufLJgrcmUjM7mdurBBfmhgc_D5onN8xSAvM6ldWB1by55yzV0tWduQaQPljtFsoYMjrug0JjzBbw9lahyphenhyphenUUL0tE5Z/w480-h640/IMG_9164.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As if our day had not been action-packed enough, we had a couple more stops on the itinerary. Next up was the majestic Punakha Dzong. Much like the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu, it doubles as both a monastery and a governmental building. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a country of gorgeous buildings, I think this one might be most spectacular. Located at the confluence of two rivers, it looks like a vision conjured out of thin air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXxNPxh7tiwMxL2p5onC9FqYcdN_CMB-jHusU9oWKfT95S11eWveJIaH0aucSRgsAYONcuhMGE4NjSRNn5cgzC9-VzhcZ_ZVAu-DWH18DZwTdgRypEAULwedMe4U171XAl5dnf10Ilk-0ZrDmQlbZ4aw7Rp6FUnGtn8U5tRcjCGsRcohvmXtRxMKPo5ZJ/s2100/IMG_9174.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2100" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXxNPxh7tiwMxL2p5onC9FqYcdN_CMB-jHusU9oWKfT95S11eWveJIaH0aucSRgsAYONcuhMGE4NjSRNn5cgzC9-VzhcZ_ZVAu-DWH18DZwTdgRypEAULwedMe4U171XAl5dnf10Ilk-0ZrDmQlbZ4aw7Rp6FUnGtn8U5tRcjCGsRcohvmXtRxMKPo5ZJ/w640-h480/IMG_9174.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDvsnVtRIqO1G87RBc0BeGfiyodU_Qlm4gxZMPNyJYezA_t3oqosIsximFv7uTQJi9rjY_FEwBfD6k5DU7ntNMRegZlJDjBo8M8jkTD6BvufAZbsk8oYHDE1YCJ-G1MR4HsKHWLOLi5llWft1EJr5MvtkaTY3EtW5T2EFaZypzzoKuWuUwx01UCODb0_z/s4032/IMG_9178.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDvsnVtRIqO1G87RBc0BeGfiyodU_Qlm4gxZMPNyJYezA_t3oqosIsximFv7uTQJi9rjY_FEwBfD6k5DU7ntNMRegZlJDjBo8M8jkTD6BvufAZbsk8oYHDE1YCJ-G1MR4HsKHWLOLi5llWft1EJr5MvtkaTY3EtW5T2EFaZypzzoKuWuUwx01UCODb0_z/w640-h480/IMG_9178.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1tpyvaDUpH0cIvTS-tDsOlsQjn75kMvZe-s5P9BJ_HsZVoSYG_M1OUPEAkkaeVN4aGcXXk9DhaApzD3h4ORoI7V7HOt6vUcBWFupoYfYmw9YaU_Cz3YX_WxZE5Gn9yr4NsbI3gDLxV8OPTP8OlENJVXTvmZPLNL-tLGZGt2Z-acnFODRTDeWMfteJTyw/s4032/IMG_9183.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1tpyvaDUpH0cIvTS-tDsOlsQjn75kMvZe-s5P9BJ_HsZVoSYG_M1OUPEAkkaeVN4aGcXXk9DhaApzD3h4ORoI7V7HOt6vUcBWFupoYfYmw9YaU_Cz3YX_WxZE5Gn9yr4NsbI3gDLxV8OPTP8OlENJVXTvmZPLNL-tLGZGt2Z-acnFODRTDeWMfteJTyw/w640-h480/IMG_9183.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32sUR02o9_g2ZU-9kHbkih7VQ-wwMC0g3Q0C99LHU5uPXLcWUopMLAwATsK3a_xET2ww5LyJkEheluAV-Xd7rKEZ8Ev2Hmnnihof-N8wTPPshvSozsN7JIGCheDxkhjNJ1dXqLDQ4ZtNY4u2ygNZIJRqjNSaBrEBjgzpvdjT6Dp8r5TDTgOKrutM7aJIx/s4032/IMG_9186.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32sUR02o9_g2ZU-9kHbkih7VQ-wwMC0g3Q0C99LHU5uPXLcWUopMLAwATsK3a_xET2ww5LyJkEheluAV-Xd7rKEZ8Ev2Hmnnihof-N8wTPPshvSozsN7JIGCheDxkhjNJ1dXqLDQ4ZtNY4u2ygNZIJRqjNSaBrEBjgzpvdjT6Dp8r5TDTgOKrutM7aJIx/w480-h640/IMG_9186.jpeg" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwjQeNlenpcYMqUcL8GbTyssbCvNraYb_gbLnk-pYDlf0TttuKWxS6Zn8_HbwN9IFmxHg7Azn7Ez3VZeAG4dhPLAsS8wuhGZJLYVSiVb8osh-wG9Rm8q3MUGF82om02L07shiDa2MWGlUo2Pox-5XQfP4c0oizkwGVIcRZt6iAlTCucckPuDR9nM3Md6E/s4032/IMG_9188.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwjQeNlenpcYMqUcL8GbTyssbCvNraYb_gbLnk-pYDlf0TttuKWxS6Zn8_HbwN9IFmxHg7Azn7Ez3VZeAG4dhPLAsS8wuhGZJLYVSiVb8osh-wG9Rm8q3MUGF82om02L07shiDa2MWGlUo2Pox-5XQfP4c0oizkwGVIcRZt6iAlTCucckPuDR9nM3Md6E/w640-h480/IMG_9188.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is no photography permitted inside the buildings, which is a shame. The amount of detail, particularly in the throne room where all the country's kings have been crowned, is truly spectacular. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1kbz6lnWxIaW2N5XZQoloOjkevtBpiuUKcZr1SoIrSIpS97w6Ylyf_iBM0x_4xMIdOaoR9SwYHxmMPDFBGo3CCgXS_oKzZV7yD71gm5JQxRSU0Uem5feYzaGcAY2OjY7W1AR4QbOpplvixjaCLaEh4B0ot5orjpyWmWdKYZS1yvbkE63ohOpaROhhKSq/s4032/IMG_9190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1kbz6lnWxIaW2N5XZQoloOjkevtBpiuUKcZr1SoIrSIpS97w6Ylyf_iBM0x_4xMIdOaoR9SwYHxmMPDFBGo3CCgXS_oKzZV7yD71gm5JQxRSU0Uem5feYzaGcAY2OjY7W1AR4QbOpplvixjaCLaEh4B0ot5orjpyWmWdKYZS1yvbkE63ohOpaROhhKSq/w480-h640/IMG_9190.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboiGsPunvADUcYqoHHDPZOxnPAwMUZYIRzG9G_Nyi_8WWttCQ-cJGIc_LK_rHp5JbiNxsFLf7MQUUJ4jwzSwuK7GHm3PCHxmxOqLghe7cKrTqTagOdWcNa5etEj9rMVlFOrxVMvoK5IONOVoPpbQVzT95Y8RQtw0NKGTgAxdQpyLH5tpLAu7XnGI8sxb6/s4032/IMG_9192.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboiGsPunvADUcYqoHHDPZOxnPAwMUZYIRzG9G_Nyi_8WWttCQ-cJGIc_LK_rHp5JbiNxsFLf7MQUUJ4jwzSwuK7GHm3PCHxmxOqLghe7cKrTqTagOdWcNa5etEj9rMVlFOrxVMvoK5IONOVoPpbQVzT95Y8RQtw0NKGTgAxdQpyLH5tpLAu7XnGI8sxb6/w480-h640/IMG_9192.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Throughout the courtyards, we kept running into chickens and roosters. The reason is kind of cool. If someone is ill and is expected to die, it is believed that the best way to prolong their life is to save a life. People will purchase animals that are bound for slaughter and let them live out the rest of their lives in peace. For practical reasons, the monastery won't accept rescued cows or goats but poultry is ok. I don't know if this actually helps the terminal human but it is undeniable that the animals' life has been saved and that's pretty great. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMW6xle6exyAxN-IFOUTrA3NzxfoBN3c_1dgHp7700Lj5J6JtKbiEZlPbOBPYsw4eW0iMgyQSgOTmc21MOw1GHgGMdVYZ1mBwOM3nCS9EKMDNu4PSM3K3SicMAtsgMlG2yv-3tL2jSSA1vxZafvZFYUkAohhPrhK30ej3meBkFS5tj95BOuuVF1g5MD5j/s4032/IMG_9196.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMW6xle6exyAxN-IFOUTrA3NzxfoBN3c_1dgHp7700Lj5J6JtKbiEZlPbOBPYsw4eW0iMgyQSgOTmc21MOw1GHgGMdVYZ1mBwOM3nCS9EKMDNu4PSM3K3SicMAtsgMlG2yv-3tL2jSSA1vxZafvZFYUkAohhPrhK30ej3meBkFS5tj95BOuuVF1g5MD5j/w640-h480/IMG_9196.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5DEjK9N6rB9dv-ED4RzOR53qqz8MbrISpWX3_zGYMG6tHez9_Q8Deb2UxUWzrWHTgZcWYUm11yQQhBvkQHz-vPru69zkR4_oPmFyuLr7ru01aT3ODhENL_JnXPyIAEGv_jDSca8C7Q9qrPHu8qFEsdIJase28CWxVvZOt7PWk-mdX-EVxnO8nzRGEnw/s4032/IMG_9197.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5DEjK9N6rB9dv-ED4RzOR53qqz8MbrISpWX3_zGYMG6tHez9_Q8Deb2UxUWzrWHTgZcWYUm11yQQhBvkQHz-vPru69zkR4_oPmFyuLr7ru01aT3ODhENL_JnXPyIAEGv_jDSca8C7Q9qrPHu8qFEsdIJase28CWxVvZOt7PWk-mdX-EVxnO8nzRGEnw/w640-h480/IMG_9197.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa3yrgO_J2Z2xw4K1Vt2yTU0did_wAN8F3GBWxxLJChHhLA-4HEJ6L-LFxEXE8MDBIl7zs6Kl5HYR5zxQnp8NQYwyHS-EHhQO1sHFZDqpCMeLYyO0q0Wqxqo40Ucn19Wc0HXUJMBej7RjRzQMPBaqs-GktZVA37TUS3qwa-pHBI_-ch9t_hgnGal1wgku/s4032/IMG_9198.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOa3yrgO_J2Z2xw4K1Vt2yTU0did_wAN8F3GBWxxLJChHhLA-4HEJ6L-LFxEXE8MDBIl7zs6Kl5HYR5zxQnp8NQYwyHS-EHhQO1sHFZDqpCMeLYyO0q0Wqxqo40Ucn19Wc0HXUJMBej7RjRzQMPBaqs-GktZVA37TUS3qwa-pHBI_-ch9t_hgnGal1wgku/w480-h640/IMG_9198.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To cap off our day we took a stroll across the country's longest suspension bridge, swaying wildly in the breeze. The path was shared by tourists taking selfies and locals going about their day, all of us soaking in the dramatic landscape around us. The fact that no matter where you look, Bhutan is simply stunning has to be the least surprising thing of all. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Yk6ctn-sUZDLEjSglMM4456NCFK4y6ZYQ7a11akZmrn8-VCRi_YwFNN2kGAaAZ9aXLXhZSxueUdj-7Iouy-xCbK_h1eIarxT2KVI4XxfIXTjBgNUobaBvGtJAi36ksQOvrjhHbrm05Wjjc_rLqzx0uRhAoOYolL3jaNXbcJQ80AuJ5NMzKopX8vJm9g/s4032/IMG_9200.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Yk6ctn-sUZDLEjSglMM4456NCFK4y6ZYQ7a11akZmrn8-VCRi_YwFNN2kGAaAZ9aXLXhZSxueUdj-7Iouy-xCbK_h1eIarxT2KVI4XxfIXTjBgNUobaBvGtJAi36ksQOvrjhHbrm05Wjjc_rLqzx0uRhAoOYolL3jaNXbcJQ80AuJ5NMzKopX8vJm9g/w640-h480/IMG_9200.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTK-bAkLYG58tllWn-Cbd9OtOHrMDgsK1sMyVIvtUXAaEjAS4QbQxQCjp7jtE51ObKUjEVn4kDx_gayz0yhw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-77995635222840310942024-01-20T16:50:00.000-05:002024-03-12T08:16:14.670-05:00Country #127: Day one in Beautiful Bhutan <a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS8CrpTAwqL4WEE3MlvNNhnXKDjDimVwhgCb3-Fl1d2qzDWpxRP5W2p6o0Hyb6Zk7B1QhSZBuoYAFoSkwshZdO2FQECi9Ot_tUkUDrxwUnF6TqoGrSzACBoR6DjLQn5WCXCMVT9YA1e580AfqYcQQmYc0NhbA78qE7Ph7YoIsKDNP9HRakBJSMUkwHaVE/s4032/IMG_9039.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS8CrpTAwqL4WEE3MlvNNhnXKDjDimVwhgCb3-Fl1d2qzDWpxRP5W2p6o0Hyb6Zk7B1QhSZBuoYAFoSkwshZdO2FQECi9Ot_tUkUDrxwUnF6TqoGrSzACBoR6DjLQn5WCXCMVT9YA1e580AfqYcQQmYc0NhbA78qE7Ph7YoIsKDNP9HRakBJSMUkwHaVE/w480-h640/IMG_9039.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Everything about country #127 is special. I know this sounds like something I would say about every single country I visit, but here I mean it just a bit more. Tiny Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayan mountains between two behemoths, India and China, is truly a jewel of a nation. Its people, its architecture, its scenery...all of it is just so, well, special. </p><p>Take the approach into Bhutan. As we were descending towards Paro International Airport, the first officer made an announcement that I have never, in all of my years of flying, heard before. She said "As we prepare for our final approach, we will be coming very close to the mountains. This is normal. Please do not be afraid". Wait, what??</p><p>There was a reason for her disclaimer. The approach is bonafide wild. The airplane has to thread its way through the mountains and execute the equivalent of a 3 point turn without the benefits of reverse in order to land at this tiny airport. It is considered the most <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU75bHRSaZ8">difficult landing</a> anywhere in the world, taking into account the mountains, an all visual approach (meaning computers and autopilot can't help you) and a short runway to boot. Only 24 pilots are officially authorized to make that landing. I say "officially" because I met a guy who used to fly charter in India and actually flew into Paro once. He said he reached out to Bhutanese captains for advice and the directions included things like "when you see the house with the green roof, you have to bank left". </p><p>It is also pretty stunning, which I kind of expected going in. When asked if I wanted a window or aisle seat, I responded that I wanted a window on the Mt Everest side. Did I spend the entire 45 minute flight, glued to that window, taking pictures and videos as if it was my first time on an airplane? Fuck yeah, I did. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2K4f9HTIAYU" width="320" youtube-src-id="2K4f9HTIAYU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qT1OVjjQug6eki_8slq7lsDbwHnkkCntwAODCOsblt0opN5sI7CKfdGvCPZLH4d5ruygHFPxAbxcNfBWRFZ_yBCO7GWHBk5uBv-_8j_u1FjDCdokCX4XKT3j9LVJWEpZX2xS1j0Vq1YjknZnCZnqehPVpRrqAJW3zr8HUAfl5gbvTI6wQ2fZ5P7wY7jC/s4032/IMG_8878.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qT1OVjjQug6eki_8slq7lsDbwHnkkCntwAODCOsblt0opN5sI7CKfdGvCPZLH4d5ruygHFPxAbxcNfBWRFZ_yBCO7GWHBk5uBv-_8j_u1FjDCdokCX4XKT3j9LVJWEpZX2xS1j0Vq1YjknZnCZnqehPVpRrqAJW3zr8HUAfl5gbvTI6wQ2fZ5P7wY7jC/w640-h480/IMG_8878.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRac8gyo8XD740VdXrvbWGcUUan8Qa3-PTeUZnS5dBBl63rrhiR6uTAhlKD_B29Emej2bILr1gytmUawB9atkl3JxULiGQTystlzYhRHjm4ErE1fmsP7jBkYZrrtRtLqUHs7SQDA86-deP_k0_1CNCdtaAHHmA_bF6zlb2tjHT3VWXBBlgZ67Sx5ee3B5/s4032/IMG_8880.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRac8gyo8XD740VdXrvbWGcUUan8Qa3-PTeUZnS5dBBl63rrhiR6uTAhlKD_B29Emej2bILr1gytmUawB9atkl3JxULiGQTystlzYhRHjm4ErE1fmsP7jBkYZrrtRtLqUHs7SQDA86-deP_k0_1CNCdtaAHHmA_bF6zlb2tjHT3VWXBBlgZ67Sx5ee3B5/w480-h640/IMG_8880.jpeg" width="480" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>According to my seatmate, this is Mt Everest. All the peaks look pretty similar to me so I'm just repeating his claim.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Then there was the airport itself, it was absolutely gorgeous. All of us passengers- all seasoned travellers cuz no one begins their fly life in Bhutan- were posing and snapping photos right there on the ramp. like a bunch of rubes!! </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGF3MWiRhYuVbbDhyphenhypheneQr6qB648nPic6B1gpUmgUUsGm77TKwDzoAShmTQZ2-tKDC25JKCeEu_mwew_Gp-K-pwfXyz-FhTKaTAqcaUJV9-9ZU5wWXbuCKadX4oXfKGNBLMOCw-sR9RtCLmPPLA-FnXjut_JSPbexjPc3trS1BdDkcDSiMPcfXaPlDmtoqt/s4032/IMG_8896.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGF3MWiRhYuVbbDhyphenhypheneQr6qB648nPic6B1gpUmgUUsGm77TKwDzoAShmTQZ2-tKDC25JKCeEu_mwew_Gp-K-pwfXyz-FhTKaTAqcaUJV9-9ZU5wWXbuCKadX4oXfKGNBLMOCw-sR9RtCLmPPLA-FnXjut_JSPbexjPc3trS1BdDkcDSiMPcfXaPlDmtoqt/w480-h640/IMG_8896.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I was actually in Bhutan, a place I had dreamt of visiting for so long. Now might be a good time to address a question I got a couple of times when mentioning my itinerary. "Bhutan? What is that? Is that a country?" Yes, absolutely, it is a country and has been so for centuries. It has the rare distinction of never having been colonized and thus has always been independent. That said, it is an understandable question. How many people talk about summer vacations in Bhutan? By design, Bhutan has managed to fly under the radar. Foreigners were not even allowed to visit until 1974. Once tourism was permitted, the emphasis was on "high value, low volume", meaning you could visit but you had to have $$$. It was originally $250 per day, which included your hotel, a guide and meals. Post Covid, it was changed to $200 per day but no longer included anything but the right to step foot in the country. At the moment, it is $100 per day with no extras. Technically, independent travel is permitted, however if you want to visit any of the dzongs (monasteries) or touristic sites, you need to be accompanied by a guide so practically speaking, you need to book a tour. </p><div style="text-align: left;">After contacting a bunch of tour operators, I opted for a 5 day package with <a href="https://omshatravel.com/">Omsha Travel</a>. They were reasonably priced, quick to respond and took charge of all the preliminary paperwork. Nawang Dorji, the owner, was waiting for me as soon as I stepped out of the airport. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>He presented me with a traditional welcome scarf, introduced Ugyen, our driver and immediately began our tour. As someone who likes to waste no time when traveling, I loved this. Not 30 minutes after I had landed, we were already at our first stop. We were at <a href="https://www.drukasia.com/bhutan/paro/tachogang-lhakhang/">Tachogang Lhakhang</a>, a small private monastery just off the main highway. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtf_jytHpHSXgcXZCH29Xw5WVCOFK5H0fsetw4blFyl4yomczoZxCtI_nUQQ3Qx7BtsQ-72SB5Kj61x1L7b08s_2ahSqB1gMtAOAwLgnTO8IrQ3_f_QdmFJB66r1GIpM3vgiglV-ZulA6Q2wjcB4J__xa7dqPzE_ji_7I1IEVUnd4kzDetrTEE7dU96SZ/s3148/IMG_8901.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="2707" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtf_jytHpHSXgcXZCH29Xw5WVCOFK5H0fsetw4blFyl4yomczoZxCtI_nUQQ3Qx7BtsQ-72SB5Kj61x1L7b08s_2ahSqB1gMtAOAwLgnTO8IrQ3_f_QdmFJB66r1GIpM3vgiglV-ZulA6Q2wjcB4J__xa7dqPzE_ji_7I1IEVUnd4kzDetrTEE7dU96SZ/w550-h640/IMG_8901.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSat_vtLFp2qrtFpl-FFTrs4x8xHQaonaq6oTCbuXGN9f8ZQlC9zfk18D9_V5zeKSfPh9dswhzHivdtwlrbBvtHqQcefBYqlOIZqnEH0jRL-zVssoPtFXHjhRcRAjcP-2dvyditCC8m2OZGOflm6znJEVckNTmswZ3d5S4gPqj4kw1QTM5IuL8A8PkiXw/w640-h480/IMG_8897.jpeg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although we could not enter the monastery, it was a great introduction to many of the Buddhist traditions we would repeatedly encounter throughout Bhutan. Take for example, Tibetan prayer flags, which are a constant presence in this very religious country. They come in five colors each representing one of the elements. There is blue representing the sky, white for air, red for fire, green for water and yellow for the earth. The idea is that you hang them somewhere windy and the wind will carry your prayers off into the distance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtcUV4VT9OzsY3CHrt_lR-u85lWWaNQ7kRzUWBRnRzNxKtnV4yWwah0A2ePQzDUWDxXCsyW48QFiCpMZfYkhh7itHl5Wzp68eMTmteipsnUR_F-V261cq46LpUOSNeMIJMqrZi1e9jiRaO5H2Iziy3QxS601dtUiy27JT9qSBxIJQ4IXsZ55OjEBIpERb/s4032/IMG_8907.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtcUV4VT9OzsY3CHrt_lR-u85lWWaNQ7kRzUWBRnRzNxKtnV4yWwah0A2ePQzDUWDxXCsyW48QFiCpMZfYkhh7itHl5Wzp68eMTmteipsnUR_F-V261cq46LpUOSNeMIJMqrZi1e9jiRaO5H2Iziy3QxS601dtUiy27JT9qSBxIJQ4IXsZ55OjEBIpERb/w480-h640/IMG_8907.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAKHtHpuOS2qLkaiw8qIiuAo2cdDN3uB4LbTmltqFnAExNXBdhyphenhyphen41UTM6TmkigD0QVtwfSIkH5oooQqvEVwN3fylLRnvLeLUwDuiPyrDdmepSgbSJJ4wxplF1C2pAG_LmkOcUOkwhZOcOwFnyHlaEoP7ZQvJ6LijKaX-2V0_EQkLxQYBeDntCFvccRUb7/s4032/IMG_8908.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAKHtHpuOS2qLkaiw8qIiuAo2cdDN3uB4LbTmltqFnAExNXBdhyphenhyphen41UTM6TmkigD0QVtwfSIkH5oooQqvEVwN3fylLRnvLeLUwDuiPyrDdmepSgbSJJ4wxplF1C2pAG_LmkOcUOkwhZOcOwFnyHlaEoP7ZQvJ6LijKaX-2V0_EQkLxQYBeDntCFvccRUb7/w640-h480/IMG_8908.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Much of the history of the country is intertwined with Tibetan Buddhism. Little is known before the 8th century when a Tibetan holy man, Guru Rimpoche, came to spread the religion. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGR5tK4pjMlOjcG1JoFd646bvLaDJNk82vhTtQOgWjLFJIgYuTMn8bdX8yinsZFzX6bOhmuDsoG-XrSz6q8S9T73L8zQ2_5K_yYO1ZnronoaWklAM2OOBUupJIsZSUCLZyg4n47fzQNCzUpyA8cpVCjVRyj5C2OCHlM3UMmDketMKlaV82N3IDYz2_JO6/s4032/IMG_8909.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGR5tK4pjMlOjcG1JoFd646bvLaDJNk82vhTtQOgWjLFJIgYuTMn8bdX8yinsZFzX6bOhmuDsoG-XrSz6q8S9T73L8zQ2_5K_yYO1ZnronoaWklAM2OOBUupJIsZSUCLZyg4n47fzQNCzUpyA8cpVCjVRyj5C2OCHlM3UMmDketMKlaV82N3IDYz2_JO6/w480-h640/IMG_8909.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After about an hour's drive along the gorgeous mountain roads, we reached our destination, Thimpu, the capital and largest city. We checked into the <a href="https://tashiyoedling.com/">Tashi Yoedling</a> hotel, where my room provided me a great view of the National Memorial Choeten across the street. This stupa was built as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and is known as the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ9ZuKkZslLYf72_j3J_2yIyQ4Z5xkf_9WG-RidsR2wOf4oIYfM_SugDgxFgJ2SnVr_pXBTp2M-3tC4Q0aP9bfC2cE2dOTtZG0jCHXIjAe594RQLQmcyb7Rng2gy7H9qIxccmDc5mOZoPQW1cM33qhyGvcEFvg9N3qTsABQ1MUJphIMjjLy2d6kPvGOFk/s4032/IMG_8946.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ9ZuKkZslLYf72_j3J_2yIyQ4Z5xkf_9WG-RidsR2wOf4oIYfM_SugDgxFgJ2SnVr_pXBTp2M-3tC4Q0aP9bfC2cE2dOTtZG0jCHXIjAe594RQLQmcyb7Rng2gy7H9qIxccmDc5mOZoPQW1cM33qhyGvcEFvg9N3qTsABQ1MUJphIMjjLy2d6kPvGOFk/w480-h640/IMG_8946.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Talk about a room with a view.</i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMSGcQHClUQIoxYcuMiJL3mTV83VE6V65Sc8Owm11DTNjO5hGyKkrgF2AK3iqhy4UKYfz-RkCAItaeRIqi1oAZ30qQp0B8D3AQc8uTNzfOt4eYwKYXliFyMUMLes5Iaia6sqDu7xGqkD-Ht8O3PXSBKKOl3hv6aRK2msGdWPBDl-rGVqeK8g0Jmnxo9x6/s4032/IMG_8923.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMSGcQHClUQIoxYcuMiJL3mTV83VE6V65Sc8Owm11DTNjO5hGyKkrgF2AK3iqhy4UKYfz-RkCAItaeRIqi1oAZ30qQp0B8D3AQc8uTNzfOt4eYwKYXliFyMUMLes5Iaia6sqDu7xGqkD-Ht8O3PXSBKKOl3hv6aRK2msGdWPBDl-rGVqeK8g0Jmnxo9x6/w480-h640/IMG_8923.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIq4xyUZXJPyYrhGOznA0T_rQm5BA_rb2y93H9GEEbvIQWwqQLwNfOwrWB4HM9L0BfoZwxeFpsFT6gDury63duGzuFK_eYbOAw8YpdMZOu2TylSLvTL1UWfZj2rxbGAWJC2vMOicHYjf7fGI5QIU4K1j9gF6SmTmGTDhbNEOWcZFbpj5P-Id1O1MDSVWF/s4032/IMG_8929.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIq4xyUZXJPyYrhGOznA0T_rQm5BA_rb2y93H9GEEbvIQWwqQLwNfOwrWB4HM9L0BfoZwxeFpsFT6gDury63duGzuFK_eYbOAw8YpdMZOu2TylSLvTL1UWfZj2rxbGAWJC2vMOicHYjf7fGI5QIU4K1j9gF6SmTmGTDhbNEOWcZFbpj5P-Id1O1MDSVWF/w640-h480/IMG_8929.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>What impressed me the most about it was the number of people who were constantly circumnavigating its base (always clockwise). As with most Bhutanese people, particularly the older generation, they were dressed in traditional clothing. Many carried prayer beads and chanted as they went round and round. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8caBeX8X06l5VxeSIv781wrorzy3c6L4Cte0iAPZxo9MaPm4eX-XwlmT7-7yfR10wofdvF1sZt942cfZmYw1QMpt8mO9u9ojGXnxUcz6uX2bMtToZmd7Zai3hxpnjZ8TiU7SbhMqtEUr1rF0OWM3iNZwE51nUAPl0HF7xFFNbGmCzKqVPhSIj9bmPR0a/s4032/IMG_8932.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8caBeX8X06l5VxeSIv781wrorzy3c6L4Cte0iAPZxo9MaPm4eX-XwlmT7-7yfR10wofdvF1sZt942cfZmYw1QMpt8mO9u9ojGXnxUcz6uX2bMtToZmd7Zai3hxpnjZ8TiU7SbhMqtEUr1rF0OWM3iNZwE51nUAPl0HF7xFFNbGmCzKqVPhSIj9bmPR0a/w480-h640/IMG_8932.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Most religious practices make little to no sense to me. This is one of the rare instances where I kind of get it. In the morning, the Memorial was crowded with people doing laps while saying their morning prayers. Looked at through a different lens, this is exercise and meditation. If you start your day, breathing in that clean mountain air, while getting your body moving and meditating, odds are good that you are going to feel happier throughout the day. This is the country, after all, that instead of only using economic indicators to measure success, created the Gross Happiness Index. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF7jZso97zrTevTnqS9lRCBN9GMawkF2FoxPn1fpwsPioz4nlXDocS56mJ6tLB_odebDgJoHVEJOHQGo9vEapqQuv8LXPNYGrZrbx9hGoo29AnOwKyO5pQwZKlvo1HAr9tv3c12S14pnLx-oNRKbyQp7vB0SEa7ZdGnG73IKkSUfv7vU92Qzt6qYWSJvx/s4032/IMG_8941.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF7jZso97zrTevTnqS9lRCBN9GMawkF2FoxPn1fpwsPioz4nlXDocS56mJ6tLB_odebDgJoHVEJOHQGo9vEapqQuv8LXPNYGrZrbx9hGoo29AnOwKyO5pQwZKlvo1HAr9tv3c12S14pnLx-oNRKbyQp7vB0SEa7ZdGnG73IKkSUfv7vU92Qzt6qYWSJvx/w480-h640/IMG_8941.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o8_mesHW_OOahiTguIjgxOdbKQTKfOJNlbBi7ji6i3XOuTiemfnkJE9zsR6nVc13l2DzcETEczZjTuuJ6ZtGtstxm-34uBm4sBGugS1vDYsIp_JcVfrvRZNLp5jI3jHU21hUZDbBhYwe_oTdamg_IiMZ50T6XB_3EJiUFFUN5xJ-Z1QofGbGSGQkZeTM/s4032/IMG_8951.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o8_mesHW_OOahiTguIjgxOdbKQTKfOJNlbBi7ji6i3XOuTiemfnkJE9zsR6nVc13l2DzcETEczZjTuuJ6ZtGtstxm-34uBm4sBGugS1vDYsIp_JcVfrvRZNLp5jI3jHU21hUZDbBhYwe_oTdamg_IiMZ50T6XB_3EJiUFFUN5xJ-Z1QofGbGSGQkZeTM/w480-h640/IMG_8951.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After lunch, we continued onto the Tashichho Dzong, which is a combination monastery/ administrative complex that was once a fort. It was originally built in in 1216 but has undergone many renovations, the latest being in 1962 when the capital moved from Punakha to Thimpu. It now houses the throne room and king's office. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbTeSlKt14BOgjJk2L44kOV331FMut1UGHez6z4n5M4II1qqSBTsU19yQzpum-uGAWluGTgMuUy4pYG7FSY-DHraMIFFkEUKqPmizqXKoyoYsa4jM3nrH8bZtdP_tlCN2BitW0Ot48fGa2FULtJZhbz5VYZx1f-7bKnZKoDVuOL6An4ghNK0F7fOpTWRf/s4032/IMG_8983.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbTeSlKt14BOgjJk2L44kOV331FMut1UGHez6z4n5M4II1qqSBTsU19yQzpum-uGAWluGTgMuUy4pYG7FSY-DHraMIFFkEUKqPmizqXKoyoYsa4jM3nrH8bZtdP_tlCN2BitW0Ot48fGa2FULtJZhbz5VYZx1f-7bKnZKoDVuOL6An4ghNK0F7fOpTWRf/w640-h480/IMG_8983.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1u0EKU2w-4OIIG820EmbzbeMmp7JgERsgV9vihXhtrL5eoWHLjoE2oSPbxfUS6E2QZJvlULvcBxkyJaEsookrfgdYiCWgYN4NWI5DPbPjTXGLWWBQWgxSiupEoMlI_eEfRyRAQ6WtcTYwR6LNKPQdQdrKGw9qgx5wwChK4cd8gkXizKA7-9FyxCf8iAq/s4032/IMG_8956.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1u0EKU2w-4OIIG820EmbzbeMmp7JgERsgV9vihXhtrL5eoWHLjoE2oSPbxfUS6E2QZJvlULvcBxkyJaEsookrfgdYiCWgYN4NWI5DPbPjTXGLWWBQWgxSiupEoMlI_eEfRyRAQ6WtcTYwR6LNKPQdQdrKGw9qgx5wwChK4cd8gkXizKA7-9FyxCf8iAq/w640-h480/IMG_8956.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Only the monastic side is open to the public and no photography is permitted in this or any temple. Even with only a portion accessible, the scale of the complex is both awe-inspiring and bedeviling difficult to photograph. I was not alone in this struggle. Pretty much every single passenger I had seen on the flight earlier that day was there, each with their own guide in tow. By virtue of our arrival date, we were all on the same touristic loop and would continue running into each other. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8nz_FJDSJdSzR-Ue5EJiDh0L8VaevgvZf2jkRLM54f1oXwrGO8OLC2GwbpGFAP9WRMUWusTAGtTVdhn3nuIf21G_Nnomi5yv1n_aQc8CfpVCNseo1XJd-cw-H4_pNA76KE7WrmXJSeM6JR4vHvUbviYU2nPcOP5FkoqAM2NOdKBnOGYM3jiksC7QUBoO/s4032/IMG_8965.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8nz_FJDSJdSzR-Ue5EJiDh0L8VaevgvZf2jkRLM54f1oXwrGO8OLC2GwbpGFAP9WRMUWusTAGtTVdhn3nuIf21G_Nnomi5yv1n_aQc8CfpVCNseo1XJd-cw-H4_pNA76KE7WrmXJSeM6JR4vHvUbviYU2nPcOP5FkoqAM2NOdKBnOGYM3jiksC7QUBoO/w480-h640/IMG_8965.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmTRQtCtCSowUA7pH5-zqfglpmVXXaQvOrgL-SEjEOTqkGW5GQDIoqMyLw-4z6Teliux8VLvjhBsfgX6w33LMqvyJ2ILgTUGNynbFuZPcu-Sbih_FZmUXmJV0fm-Tx78XwNVoV6JK1q3UzEeipEG4zd4wlR5afWLRUdRTc3Ne2-_1cAq6HpnVCDpR9qw7/s4032/IMG_8969.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmTRQtCtCSowUA7pH5-zqfglpmVXXaQvOrgL-SEjEOTqkGW5GQDIoqMyLw-4z6Teliux8VLvjhBsfgX6w33LMqvyJ2ILgTUGNynbFuZPcu-Sbih_FZmUXmJV0fm-Tx78XwNVoV6JK1q3UzEeipEG4zd4wlR5afWLRUdRTc3Ne2-_1cAq6HpnVCDpR9qw7/w640-h480/IMG_8969.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2zZUV4HDv4_Lno4Epg6PR0cIPYjghhe2ivIR_9eRP5xK9S_H6GGYIOxJhKoJpsnAjdkf_SlxhZ6OPphitAmx4fTwJWpHNyE34u6eAVLYwM8kQKlZpm8BDPfYstU773xwe0NZVYqBENqcF9rnAAn27_lld_Q3zVillxyQgWJq7UEEIA2i03P7X2L_sWV/s4032/IMG_8986.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2zZUV4HDv4_Lno4Epg6PR0cIPYjghhe2ivIR_9eRP5xK9S_H6GGYIOxJhKoJpsnAjdkf_SlxhZ6OPphitAmx4fTwJWpHNyE34u6eAVLYwM8kQKlZpm8BDPfYstU773xwe0NZVYqBENqcF9rnAAn27_lld_Q3zVillxyQgWJq7UEEIA2i03P7X2L_sWV/w640-h480/IMG_8986.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up was the Motithang Takin Preserve, home to the country's national animal. I'm not one to body shame anyone but these creatures are just bizarre looking. The story is that a 15th century holy man, known as the Divine Madman was at a feast and wanted to show off his powers. He took the head of a goat and the bones of a cow, rattled off some magic words and ta-da, the takin was born. You know what? Sure, why not, it's as good an explanation as any. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This lot was originally housed at a zoo but the king objected to the national animal being confined like that and attempted to set them free. Problem was that they simply wouldn't leave so a sanctuary was built for them to comfortably live out their lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbq3kap1-f_jyIqMXZ4wOBF6S2ccejmyjojCOCK8gDjvNucRSKA7CDI-3UeQrwn5NQkH-G303_au6sWRK6HVT2s1WKrQrlJzdqYgAwffFFgTOsL_TZq5NTfBml9KInEcLUaJUiZK8CyDL0E7UUJi0NP0yB0UIlPLYeLTGWL8IfZjw8cmEqhpGD-k42cQy/s4032/E265BE22-9A4A-47AE-9FB9-D2B559EC36D0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbq3kap1-f_jyIqMXZ4wOBF6S2ccejmyjojCOCK8gDjvNucRSKA7CDI-3UeQrwn5NQkH-G303_au6sWRK6HVT2s1WKrQrlJzdqYgAwffFFgTOsL_TZq5NTfBml9KInEcLUaJUiZK8CyDL0E7UUJi0NP0yB0UIlPLYeLTGWL8IfZjw8cmEqhpGD-k42cQy/w480-h640/E265BE22-9A4A-47AE-9FB9-D2B559EC36D0.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xmj8FxVR-X0Cms-mV79jseert4v2KR9Xkbv2Mgbo8UDmZG39jw194PL9lTPoD1bvG710USmXZIwc-6w6Vu4_sX5LdLmXZsiFImXK5mGWndldE6QP8swRWlujKxB3_FBc_uc0ghop1uOBupMBvydyOAWx7H4WD8TGSqD7FDDE8HCSSFI2s9ZwS_kNlM-Z/s4032/B4496C07-D56A-4960-9225-43F07461FB48.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xmj8FxVR-X0Cms-mV79jseert4v2KR9Xkbv2Mgbo8UDmZG39jw194PL9lTPoD1bvG710USmXZIwc-6w6Vu4_sX5LdLmXZsiFImXK5mGWndldE6QP8swRWlujKxB3_FBc_uc0ghop1uOBupMBvydyOAWx7H4WD8TGSqD7FDDE8HCSSFI2s9ZwS_kNlM-Z/w640-h480/B4496C07-D56A-4960-9225-43F07461FB48.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finishing off the day, we went to the Dordenma Buddha Statue, a 169 foot tall gilded Buddha overlooking the city. Inside, there are 125,000 smaller Buddhas, all of them meant to honor the 4th King's 60th birthday. That's a lotta Buddhas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-uQqPlqgJ2YNuAvw7MM6Kh8RsNEBEM52jkq7l5G3nt65bky-FfT-eY0Su-9M7dJo0kj-lJ0_lSZnk-0Tn3Dpo5-XCrFYaJ-3ekrRrD9lleutLLvcLh73NkbZ6taDEBkRAQO-8g_767us3yZ0eD3gl7_rODSeIUlXLXWaEn0hy2fTDjW_XVwXX_AtE5EN/s4032/IMG_9012.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-uQqPlqgJ2YNuAvw7MM6Kh8RsNEBEM52jkq7l5G3nt65bky-FfT-eY0Su-9M7dJo0kj-lJ0_lSZnk-0Tn3Dpo5-XCrFYaJ-3ekrRrD9lleutLLvcLh73NkbZ6taDEBkRAQO-8g_767us3yZ0eD3gl7_rODSeIUlXLXWaEn0hy2fTDjW_XVwXX_AtE5EN/w480-h640/IMG_9012.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7NqRsgsPbfBeu6SJXq3FbEEbxQnX1115s7klloscKLiTXiL7B8s7VvjKuUCV3o1MSxHj3txT30hmDueqvPogBPR-W7CrZwKAeF9H5_i8ecWIkvqTp9xxfYOVEgyfP2c8GWI-gBhDQinhilDdgliB1zUezTcbJ7FDfyooTk52FHzPJxR1qjlhBFa8nJtG/s4032/IMG_9013.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7NqRsgsPbfBeu6SJXq3FbEEbxQnX1115s7klloscKLiTXiL7B8s7VvjKuUCV3o1MSxHj3txT30hmDueqvPogBPR-W7CrZwKAeF9H5_i8ecWIkvqTp9xxfYOVEgyfP2c8GWI-gBhDQinhilDdgliB1zUezTcbJ7FDfyooTk52FHzPJxR1qjlhBFa8nJtG/w640-h480/IMG_9013.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJdYsYX_1kaWr3aSC2RyLyUGMvhAh_vdshi1IhPsL-nOi7Wyb2xrZfwlBE20UinNy24CSeUrekBZS7EfJdDsAK-h28TWVKieesqrkVPxZZnktn52vhUH1QlCDTnG_xbUhjV9Vrl93QO-qkUbgC_zDgezEvurqznTIv39crcGYqW-5MLpzvenBRixGpXMd/s4032/IMG_9017.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJdYsYX_1kaWr3aSC2RyLyUGMvhAh_vdshi1IhPsL-nOi7Wyb2xrZfwlBE20UinNy24CSeUrekBZS7EfJdDsAK-h28TWVKieesqrkVPxZZnktn52vhUH1QlCDTnG_xbUhjV9Vrl93QO-qkUbgC_zDgezEvurqznTIv39crcGYqW-5MLpzvenBRixGpXMd/w480-h640/IMG_9017.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9KvL4Ou5aBOxfLyEaBl5-g0RXtNLKvBM6cmPafJ9tH_DSHuwOisxbq1gg87XmzYkVBHYIi9uz3gwMu85BTZLScrDJIglrSrlHM-tq3HPlKMtFurbdC3QC7rev0g_OofGSEugkUKKCjDVrV29Q5baK4jmEMyZXt6oJ-pDC-sKK6ptWQkv3nTPEhZ7z2aW/s4032/IMG_9019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9KvL4Ou5aBOxfLyEaBl5-g0RXtNLKvBM6cmPafJ9tH_DSHuwOisxbq1gg87XmzYkVBHYIi9uz3gwMu85BTZLScrDJIglrSrlHM-tq3HPlKMtFurbdC3QC7rev0g_OofGSEugkUKKCjDVrV29Q5baK4jmEMyZXt6oJ-pDC-sKK6ptWQkv3nTPEhZ7z2aW/w480-h640/IMG_9019.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As the largest city, with a population of 114,000 people, Thimpu has a happening little downtown. Or it would have been happening but for the fact that there was an election on this day and everything was closed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wbkwv8KfQxVfYwZRmKVHMLaaKnnneCcKun9PJxiQy_B2Md01nPmozMnZ6CIFpJP7fs9cyNdg5SH55pKSIaHtf8EcFn8L04mgHOJoyYTm-55DTHQ7MdRRT6UFEIO1p6VkLE7jkc9qXCuo07ifMnIq6cazI90a3pb4veMyolr8SUwgF41SBhXE7kimMlGT/s4032/IMG_9025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wbkwv8KfQxVfYwZRmKVHMLaaKnnneCcKun9PJxiQy_B2Md01nPmozMnZ6CIFpJP7fs9cyNdg5SH55pKSIaHtf8EcFn8L04mgHOJoyYTm-55DTHQ7MdRRT6UFEIO1p6VkLE7jkc9qXCuo07ifMnIq6cazI90a3pb4veMyolr8SUwgF41SBhXE7kimMlGT/w640-h480/IMG_9025.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One downright adorable fact about downtown Thimpu, as more young people move there in search of work, traffic has increased. The solution, which I would have considered sensible, was to install the country's first traffic light in the main intersection. This led to a public outcry about something as impersonal as a traffic light besmirching their streets (and dinging that happiness index). The light was removed and a traffic booth was installed. Now, on busy days, there is a person in that booth directing traffic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtHFc4HVM6BC62SPXCcGngYwskAzlnKS5P6OmJk-4FHGYzOFNWFrLVk8qJ4ZJd8hn_vVCyNEk55w1p77iLVGG-oLYaJrJOYjxeBRKQPAlmqLOOJ0yOC8qHS6bdtoJzVfVStz4eS-nsOQ6BZjKCZwEPmMNfVrZBcBxS12PzbObPUh3PWY4VPFR5o4o97gt/s4032/IMG_9022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtHFc4HVM6BC62SPXCcGngYwskAzlnKS5P6OmJk-4FHGYzOFNWFrLVk8qJ4ZJd8hn_vVCyNEk55w1p77iLVGG-oLYaJrJOYjxeBRKQPAlmqLOOJ0yOC8qHS6bdtoJzVfVStz4eS-nsOQ6BZjKCZwEPmMNfVrZBcBxS12PzbObPUh3PWY4VPFR5o4o97gt/w480-h640/IMG_9022.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the day's tour had concluded, I walked over to the downtown area to see if anything had opened once the polls closed. A couple of places were coming to life but overall, it was pretty slow and my phone (and its all-important map feature) didn't work and I didn't want to risk getting lost so I returned to my hotel and its cool view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ0halKinntcS64JvYvymIvLQ-sjM4BnOXZYqCUvp6II-Fvxi-m-Q9I4p0uvWYqYufnsuuhShtrhFEJfmN2gMDHB8bT_86oDsRfK3MlcP3MqjLCnRimEjc0ZAwbdLB9YTQVtAcoYOtjQEKSttZjCYjbiesFmWL7KP4FTIwXdgye9AWCJ2mKk9juPU_fJN/s4032/IMG_9026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ0halKinntcS64JvYvymIvLQ-sjM4BnOXZYqCUvp6II-Fvxi-m-Q9I4p0uvWYqYufnsuuhShtrhFEJfmN2gMDHB8bT_86oDsRfK3MlcP3MqjLCnRimEjc0ZAwbdLB9YTQVtAcoYOtjQEKSttZjCYjbiesFmWL7KP4FTIwXdgye9AWCJ2mKk9juPU_fJN/w480-h640/IMG_9026.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgeanE2oxezewZ39HTB2ENoQIChtodO6zzrk5RRSZaIDd1hCYkD4WZiOuF8RQzjcp5f7IW7WCsMTtBoNLDWARqtrOJgWgdX-oTtYNRJj8ZNLTp46GqlgCTgBselFzyg5DA-VntthKYHYY7plQrwnNXMbYKtQZ_nV0ZJj5qNW2n5uRaDaikf55Vuqg15Au/s4032/IMG_9033.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgeanE2oxezewZ39HTB2ENoQIChtodO6zzrk5RRSZaIDd1hCYkD4WZiOuF8RQzjcp5f7IW7WCsMTtBoNLDWARqtrOJgWgdX-oTtYNRJj8ZNLTp46GqlgCTgBselFzyg5DA-VntthKYHYY7plQrwnNXMbYKtQZ_nV0ZJj5qNW2n5uRaDaikf55Vuqg15Au/w480-h640/IMG_9033.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Druk means Dragon and is another name for Bhutan.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div>.</div>After a great night's sleep, I awoke to see the sun rising over the mountains from the comfort of my hotel bed. In Bhutan. Talk about a "wow" moment.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLkBNfgZtIk0cu0LppTp6NJQMeb7rZlixjgezBnC4RWBCpHWbxBaQJFQGJ7WgvcVuD9pXQG_le7bAZhc7m8sYIHymgLC3pk4xHhSQ5KSxlLmP_kfQO3nCco-UBvoK9cSUExvs3JjmsSay2UrmdXt0IVAXgs48Q4g-MLcz0whsyeGNJ4sAFrxqpDmKl0I_/s4032/IMG_9036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLkBNfgZtIk0cu0LppTp6NJQMeb7rZlixjgezBnC4RWBCpHWbxBaQJFQGJ7WgvcVuD9pXQG_le7bAZhc7m8sYIHymgLC3pk4xHhSQ5KSxlLmP_kfQO3nCco-UBvoK9cSUExvs3JjmsSay2UrmdXt0IVAXgs48Q4g-MLcz0whsyeGNJ4sAFrxqpDmKl0I_/w640-h480/IMG_9036.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nawang and Ugyen were waiting for me after breakfast. We had one last stop before leaving Thimpu, a farmer's market selling both locally grown and imported products. With its harmonious architecture, quiet streets and colorful traditional outfits, Bhutan can sometimes feel like a pristine movie set. It was a nice chance to see a glimpse of what regular daily life looks like. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ1po9SEhZMOB8BFP0QQGyljzSfbvH7CYL76q5lRhztJ_MWqLBlAv5aoLF68y2P78qlbYjeXYVNDzJgl8tsW2E-BF3u_QOiylnLK8WhgoWsBkOvjRo5Xabicq_gAKW9bY0KJC7qDKoNvIyxt4vpf-GgfjJP-xXlQsrMkCFQMBaUNzxvy09jYzRlL4HdDA/s4032/IMG_9051.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ1po9SEhZMOB8BFP0QQGyljzSfbvH7CYL76q5lRhztJ_MWqLBlAv5aoLF68y2P78qlbYjeXYVNDzJgl8tsW2E-BF3u_QOiylnLK8WhgoWsBkOvjRo5Xabicq_gAKW9bY0KJC7qDKoNvIyxt4vpf-GgfjJP-xXlQsrMkCFQMBaUNzxvy09jYzRlL4HdDA/w480-h640/IMG_9051.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PAizgA9QulIDKRUsOwDfyBpTPE4-75Lmu_hVQqaS60BkJ8c_oVvw9Eynoqy0Md6AJuvLWpCHE3Ih5F7DiidlYx5dCpk5bswNsxvi_LOC1c7mRaJovhWsmpJytf-1PKZwEI31POlenzmqahyphenhyphentN3QMAEnNB1Kp0LrGfLXWfopZnvR1yOkA1J1r-8IvX2cJ/s4032/IMG_9056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PAizgA9QulIDKRUsOwDfyBpTPE4-75Lmu_hVQqaS60BkJ8c_oVvw9Eynoqy0Md6AJuvLWpCHE3Ih5F7DiidlYx5dCpk5bswNsxvi_LOC1c7mRaJovhWsmpJytf-1PKZwEI31POlenzmqahyphenhyphentN3QMAEnNB1Kp0LrGfLXWfopZnvR1yOkA1J1r-8IvX2cJ/w640-h480/IMG_9056.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMYwuQx4rtSaE1VFsaprPmFbtn9icFBB9aypl_mseO3vSww9JfEoVCH07dLK2BnCNYs3MsYdSHuwrroyNRI1eYUho86Za-nnAQj5jHQOF636k5Gjfd3EncEL_LgkEPtI9JSGMSsUP4J4Oq7yfNhh5u10W_0nBsxPZ2oZ69YLT7HtEc0ILipQbhKQBwxpX/s4032/IMG_9058.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMYwuQx4rtSaE1VFsaprPmFbtn9icFBB9aypl_mseO3vSww9JfEoVCH07dLK2BnCNYs3MsYdSHuwrroyNRI1eYUho86Za-nnAQj5jHQOF636k5Gjfd3EncEL_LgkEPtI9JSGMSsUP4J4Oq7yfNhh5u10W_0nBsxPZ2oZ69YLT7HtEc0ILipQbhKQBwxpX/w480-h640/IMG_9058.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uRQOR6PIxZcxFCWlvZa7JH76g3kBewUdqa-zH1lPHPV-5m1mjSpZm2GdPsmQ3UYE6zAC7hkXmXTJubjIPrTct5hYcE_jEQmEJlhY1t3zHiopht7LEliEgNinHRSoM-m63Xb_Wo92U_qukJCu2gmlmz5AGf1VPWUPFJbEGX52RV48Zza9a8_mtjhq5mSg/s4032/IMG_9060.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uRQOR6PIxZcxFCWlvZa7JH76g3kBewUdqa-zH1lPHPV-5m1mjSpZm2GdPsmQ3UYE6zAC7hkXmXTJubjIPrTct5hYcE_jEQmEJlhY1t3zHiopht7LEliEgNinHRSoM-m63Xb_Wo92U_qukJCu2gmlmz5AGf1VPWUPFJbEGX52RV48Zza9a8_mtjhq5mSg/w480-h640/IMG_9060.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Once we were done at the market, we set off on yet another spectacular drive. Our destination Punakha, was a city that was somehow even more special. Not surprising, considering that's kind of Bhutan's thing.<br /><br />bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0Thimphu, Bhutan27.471586 89.6386108-19.291358483497664 19.326110799999995 74.234530483497664 159.95111079999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-46455514717416475232024-01-17T19:31:00.411-05:002024-02-11T15:45:09.648-05:00If I ever get out of here, I'm going to Kathmandu<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV54uLRlaY62qop-n3fyXQO_lbAfUeOoxdU871417lA0gRP9-ESvjTF5arzDYNOCUZMzjZCK_mcMGbkIxNKK9o2ExbgmxDbqIwOS0CxK7AgpSdd_gLcQfVTaPQ7tnbwyypBUGaRrBkO8qDu3ONk_OIBAQcKZ8c8Em2eN3-M0lBp8SRyH5ao8z4msywAfg/s4032/IMG_9428.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV54uLRlaY62qop-n3fyXQO_lbAfUeOoxdU871417lA0gRP9-ESvjTF5arzDYNOCUZMzjZCK_mcMGbkIxNKK9o2ExbgmxDbqIwOS0CxK7AgpSdd_gLcQfVTaPQ7tnbwyypBUGaRrBkO8qDu3ONk_OIBAQcKZ8c8Em2eN3-M0lBp8SRyH5ao8z4msywAfg/w640-h480/IMG_9428.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, its largest city and home to its main international airport. Based on that alone, I should have plenty to say about this bustling place. However, things kind of went sideways during one of my visits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was actually there twice. Once, for a day after my time in Chitwan and again, after my visit to Bhutan. At some point in between those two stays, I ate something that showed great determination in its efforts to kill me. I'm pretty fortunate in that I rarely get sick, whether at home or abroad but every now and then, that luck runs out and this was that time. As a result, I didn't do nearly as many things as I would have liked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first stay was great. Kathmandu, particularly the Thamel area, has some great nightlife with plenty of rooftop bars, live music and cheap drinks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnNFWYqYga7YS1dUSc0lFNgFcoqwU9namjuEfnBFzCDeLNGHm0k1nthw3XgMIZ3DyjYsfTyJoyuYa_MCi9BihehA-XVS7uiNlPCw50neRgntz_Qdugpwek5buiUw8KgsnsO3cG1I7WR0qZPr0hw3CUFmMmFJ7MvsEtydYaatzxo__PdyVbjKDWy0G1eiK/s4032/IMG_8780.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnNFWYqYga7YS1dUSc0lFNgFcoqwU9namjuEfnBFzCDeLNGHm0k1nthw3XgMIZ3DyjYsfTyJoyuYa_MCi9BihehA-XVS7uiNlPCw50neRgntz_Qdugpwek5buiUw8KgsnsO3cG1I7WR0qZPr0hw3CUFmMmFJ7MvsEtydYaatzxo__PdyVbjKDWy0G1eiK/w480-h640/IMG_8780.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once you make peace with the fact that you will at all times be sharing the road with cars, motorcycles, scooters, stray dogs and other pedestrians, it is also surprisingly walkable. Joined by Louise, a fellow traveler I met in Chitwan, we did the 40 minute walk from Thamel to the Swayambuhunath Temple, followed by a 365 step climb. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvjhrjlgqb5ceY2SeVgOktpkDhNoJ5ophCQl-A4Q0SQNnYVzykNkcxhSsG2fM551ZF2r03ESYNvmWOSojEZ0GGwnk0BP-uSafMikqZgskQdS-iIDJny7KA5C99XLM7mlGA00uGEyuzIQwBa7H9ESYKogrdEqHSnUNb7ci8Ve5xlCF5zqzQVJXEijOwmcI/s4032/IMG_8785.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvjhrjlgqb5ceY2SeVgOktpkDhNoJ5ophCQl-A4Q0SQNnYVzykNkcxhSsG2fM551ZF2r03ESYNvmWOSojEZ0GGwnk0BP-uSafMikqZgskQdS-iIDJny7KA5C99XLM7mlGA00uGEyuzIQwBa7H9ESYKogrdEqHSnUNb7ci8Ve5xlCF5zqzQVJXEijOwmcI/w640-h480/IMG_8785.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why would we do that? For one, the views over Kathmandu valley, even on a foggy day, are pretty stupendous. Granted, as I have mentioned before, there are no bad views in Nepal. Being surrounded by the Himalayas will do that to a country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptx77zsSYiUUrNgRvo2dfhE1vBW9AuYnQJIuKNbCOAYEXDTLs28YyahIt2lYoU6QbwG_4zTGI9TobZdAmrH7F2eaqofEM0vvzmNnxngftNoJek5dg2W6_HwqJejbrUxTje27VtVXkiA0tUW20__WZV4mZSRIAOu2_mU5HPWAYIyAqZLIQZAxvZctmBZHi/s4032/IMG_8802.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptx77zsSYiUUrNgRvo2dfhE1vBW9AuYnQJIuKNbCOAYEXDTLs28YyahIt2lYoU6QbwG_4zTGI9TobZdAmrH7F2eaqofEM0vvzmNnxngftNoJek5dg2W6_HwqJejbrUxTje27VtVXkiA0tUW20__WZV4mZSRIAOu2_mU5HPWAYIyAqZLIQZAxvZctmBZHi/w640-h480/IMG_8802.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But more importantly, it is also known as the Monkey Temple and with good reason. They are simply everywhere. There are so many of them that they even have an origin story. The story involves Manjushree, a Buddhist holy man, who while trying to raise the hill that now houses the temple, refused to cut his hair. His grooming habits must have left a bit to be desired because he came down with a nasty case of lice. Those lice wanted more out of life so they jumped off of his head and transformed themselves into monkeys. True story or cautionary tale for children who don't want to wash their hair? Who knows. Point is there are a lot of monkeys at this temple. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BgbG-CYk_6YE9mrmNZ9aBqmhH0EynrRZ05LravB6pZl4_4hT0Fum14pvQ7HXoq1XHmys_Xe8Tyfeij49SCwpK0wG190XJNLLL7av2XWEQWs8_IigYPibEd9eZYkprTnnrzpIZ_jIBBmn-rncwVOiK7TRQ4Tb7tzWuvAxOkeIYH7e_dKaebAcEPPzJCRK/s4032/IMG_8792.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BgbG-CYk_6YE9mrmNZ9aBqmhH0EynrRZ05LravB6pZl4_4hT0Fum14pvQ7HXoq1XHmys_Xe8Tyfeij49SCwpK0wG190XJNLLL7av2XWEQWs8_IigYPibEd9eZYkprTnnrzpIZ_jIBBmn-rncwVOiK7TRQ4Tb7tzWuvAxOkeIYH7e_dKaebAcEPPzJCRK/w480-h640/IMG_8792.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlVTK0WvTNQ7vARjzyAVYeU4j6HFb9ZNa3eCh13P9Ju67KlaU5EK0OEzwEFRnOA_PNIOt5WHFkQyuk0R5GmAS55J5K_3dE-J1aeGYilp8EuiP4F9130f2V5rSPANxYOQhZSv5comrauy0e7DMaXzUu58l6SPIM6Qe7eCj4jgralLRsNtxiwZCtcvBNXdn/s4032/IMG_8795.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlVTK0WvTNQ7vARjzyAVYeU4j6HFb9ZNa3eCh13P9Ju67KlaU5EK0OEzwEFRnOA_PNIOt5WHFkQyuk0R5GmAS55J5K_3dE-J1aeGYilp8EuiP4F9130f2V5rSPANxYOQhZSv5comrauy0e7DMaXzUu58l6SPIM6Qe7eCj4jgralLRsNtxiwZCtcvBNXdn/w640-h480/IMG_8795.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN7g2PtySYy7m0MFy3hnqtPW8qWTA3o1ZpUVUGu3vl9DqqYBVmCbwoJE6-3sNDOQ0EEQac5EtwGOjvBWHYm4PXeCYy9sBODbFzzO8F9c2i_sox_gLfTBq3VoEUYbnkT6bl8X4JdwIKvIr9fIiox67zG4rzr1sWkQHC23UcMCoFa99Wo34TXUlzbECNYWE/s4032/IMG_8800.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN7g2PtySYy7m0MFy3hnqtPW8qWTA3o1ZpUVUGu3vl9DqqYBVmCbwoJE6-3sNDOQ0EEQac5EtwGOjvBWHYm4PXeCYy9sBODbFzzO8F9c2i_sox_gLfTBq3VoEUYbnkT6bl8X4JdwIKvIr9fIiox67zG4rzr1sWkQHC23UcMCoFa99Wo34TXUlzbECNYWE/w480-h640/IMG_8800.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They wander freely around the complex which features a gold-plated stupa, many smaller temples and all the souvenir stands you could ever dream of. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41Oy5W0xBDUFI0mcVo5iEwY2sGe5mDRQ7wmFtNg4zimlotMelo07EXLcAhjOBwDqr7gUhYesGS9ecKDRHCtokQ_Je5mgDcwkGTG5ReSBHj08tBCIOjmsvQ9U9w4nmsaVgTUDnNwFncjfteBrwcPJe4OoLzYN52IGWtJG1TKprhnQQ6hTZjzX5AODdcIM/s4032/IMG_8808.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41Oy5W0xBDUFI0mcVo5iEwY2sGe5mDRQ7wmFtNg4zimlotMelo07EXLcAhjOBwDqr7gUhYesGS9ecKDRHCtokQ_Je5mgDcwkGTG5ReSBHj08tBCIOjmsvQ9U9w4nmsaVgTUDnNwFncjfteBrwcPJe4OoLzYN52IGWtJG1TKprhnQQ6hTZjzX5AODdcIM/w480-h640/IMG_8808.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi764P1whkZeE3BtsNmnM69SSE5-GYBUAMbbMIDqKNSsJcZ9WBaRNeC6SGxOMoHAtYkCXKO-UrNZtF0zYJuRlxO7ytuEqrC6WgJuKjnGF3SuNdRt1j4HXKOLUWIynbYIsUF7nF95Xk1CGFgN0Q1bNVhTUNaPxe49J5WHewmlaBlysOz2rZilbZ4D7D6LH0z/s4032/IMG_8812.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi764P1whkZeE3BtsNmnM69SSE5-GYBUAMbbMIDqKNSsJcZ9WBaRNeC6SGxOMoHAtYkCXKO-UrNZtF0zYJuRlxO7ytuEqrC6WgJuKjnGF3SuNdRt1j4HXKOLUWIynbYIsUF7nF95Xk1CGFgN0Q1bNVhTUNaPxe49J5WHewmlaBlysOz2rZilbZ4D7D6LH0z/w480-h640/IMG_8812.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesWwuG5VwSlTkdS1cix8BWRxCGrfSBNI44XGddSPduILxyPDkOVN6HvGXQlHtC9wXoJvBwANkkX1Yr4R7OVt4Z7GCmKRguzSZxOCmSGT1G4I5JXYGFcATePgKfJgtmI_qcuFzt6QzE4twxMKBTSpIGzJ_fYqvzdEMg7SZeNDj2tcY-2kgvdMhRqsOqSSh/s4032/IMG_8814.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesWwuG5VwSlTkdS1cix8BWRxCGrfSBNI44XGddSPduILxyPDkOVN6HvGXQlHtC9wXoJvBwANkkX1Yr4R7OVt4Z7GCmKRguzSZxOCmSGT1G4I5JXYGFcATePgKfJgtmI_qcuFzt6QzE4twxMKBTSpIGzJ_fYqvzdEMg7SZeNDj2tcY-2kgvdMhRqsOqSSh/w640-h480/IMG_8814.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMuqYfN_0EURjlGeDXakfKC_thcaDbG-dz0cZqClPV3iAmzVAjsYBx_vOsZL2Hp__giZ25IEmEw9cJPtPmoNS6Xb0wmAGvjEo6o6JdSb7-zgLAp2wObKOkkstmEk1OmU6_wy-jSXdKzf-ZFABUuyk1oMEov7JWqsSxdKD-Zz2gQHmmr_qjCIKLtbt9wZ2/s4032/IMG_8817.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMuqYfN_0EURjlGeDXakfKC_thcaDbG-dz0cZqClPV3iAmzVAjsYBx_vOsZL2Hp__giZ25IEmEw9cJPtPmoNS6Xb0wmAGvjEo6o6JdSb7-zgLAp2wObKOkkstmEk1OmU6_wy-jSXdKzf-ZFABUuyk1oMEov7JWqsSxdKD-Zz2gQHmmr_qjCIKLtbt9wZ2/w480-h640/IMG_8817.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">It was truly a one-stop shop. You could admire the culture while watching people worship. You could (and I did) do most of your xmas shopping. You could take in the view. Or you could just grab a seat and watch a bunch of playful monkeys. I liked this place so much that I went twice, although the second time, post-sickness, there was an Uber involved. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqtuUwfo5Aa-eHiXUwiAtkYUBzQ1WTvgItefNCeQlVBT8zukgyKbPNJ_Aa_YD_8kz7rj29-Ai6A_xdIrkBIoBtEhyphenhyphenQslwM3rae0qSKjmF4kjua7xsALg1ToEEiotSbdwgpaIsO7WTE0hurMrAnAB5K4fWsaZsfSauol7Vh43-pifbtXJdbOj8rQ-RNjGe/s4032/IMG_9494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqtuUwfo5Aa-eHiXUwiAtkYUBzQ1WTvgItefNCeQlVBT8zukgyKbPNJ_Aa_YD_8kz7rj29-Ai6A_xdIrkBIoBtEhyphenhyphenQslwM3rae0qSKjmF4kjua7xsALg1ToEEiotSbdwgpaIsO7WTE0hurMrAnAB5K4fWsaZsfSauol7Vh43-pifbtXJdbOj8rQ-RNjGe/w480-h640/IMG_9494.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xatPfMMDs5n4YbwgX5kE08zGmYLq0Fz1s1nQSIJni9kK2nk3l16IpYwQCpsdws6DLFkQWCX9WzRYI6VnHKW9_X6UZ4Woly6A3QQzIqBE1fHNcOMhw7rI3gvddHm8tNyE7J2zVPkWu8Poevy7cs0RlXcOP9HY6v9W4gRsKGYg089alBL_ksVAAGNEdL5w/s4032/IMG_9495.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xatPfMMDs5n4YbwgX5kE08zGmYLq0Fz1s1nQSIJni9kK2nk3l16IpYwQCpsdws6DLFkQWCX9WzRYI6VnHKW9_X6UZ4Woly6A3QQzIqBE1fHNcOMhw7rI3gvddHm8tNyE7J2zVPkWu8Poevy7cs0RlXcOP9HY6v9W4gRsKGYg089alBL_ksVAAGNEdL5w/w480-h640/IMG_9495.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yr9oWBwXxUJD2RODAXTpow2RYClUMIgc2Gy3AhnvEUra2ySyEYbJZo1R4kZGVZVsuiO2le4d_YNDwypGL1_s1t9kQLacUJEvgpReWMUawbW1G6Xy8OwfcOVD_1LR8FuhMhHE4npl815u1NFDDeyhdJLSaXJrv8qHmjfWsxTOSNhfHd7Rauj1DaNL-T0R/s4032/IMG_9508.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yr9oWBwXxUJD2RODAXTpow2RYClUMIgc2Gy3AhnvEUra2ySyEYbJZo1R4kZGVZVsuiO2le4d_YNDwypGL1_s1t9kQLacUJEvgpReWMUawbW1G6Xy8OwfcOVD_1LR8FuhMhHE4npl815u1NFDDeyhdJLSaXJrv8qHmjfWsxTOSNhfHd7Rauj1DaNL-T0R/w640-h480/IMG_9508.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiDlrM-XspZwP_WUa2_V0DnDuEHlQYyM2HCB9IBLgstA4bnRbJ0PdG80HxPkOiPO9BItwrHwABs7c2QYYEQJvdVJi8gR7oPdBNbgD0xdJyhjCDDFHksiDChXdEcmmali9kwfnqLlRGYIcGaNSHirSjDdqGyHxJkdgJSn8VniV5HaWWqM5R4U0j1IF52ZZ/s4032/IMG_9510.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiDlrM-XspZwP_WUa2_V0DnDuEHlQYyM2HCB9IBLgstA4bnRbJ0PdG80HxPkOiPO9BItwrHwABs7c2QYYEQJvdVJi8gR7oPdBNbgD0xdJyhjCDDFHksiDChXdEcmmali9kwfnqLlRGYIcGaNSHirSjDdqGyHxJkdgJSn8VniV5HaWWqM5R4U0j1IF52ZZ/w480-h640/IMG_9510.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyHa7CLIEw3ZZMoMOGNxRMvzJLyvVJfCCQIqENslDF1fpRMCJyoGWqb48-vHkmbiRU1OY39IOhFMP_K7xR5YsdUXQiS3OhlYk5moVzJjPdHkd_uu86jfykSQ_2Z2jUOaV5qs5vskBJaZ1CNJP9CtJ005X8n_tbZ9l7dgw9fC611pg-rYB3VpLaH9njZcd/s4032/IMG_9512.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyHa7CLIEw3ZZMoMOGNxRMvzJLyvVJfCCQIqENslDF1fpRMCJyoGWqb48-vHkmbiRU1OY39IOhFMP_K7xR5YsdUXQiS3OhlYk5moVzJjPdHkd_uu86jfykSQ_2Z2jUOaV5qs5vskBJaZ1CNJP9CtJ005X8n_tbZ9l7dgw9fC611pg-rYB3VpLaH9njZcd/w480-h640/IMG_9512.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk3GIWgf1wG2mWZ7qq3vkkjFKcrrvp036HLQ8ztd4gNUZeIfplq6M7JClhdgnnMCGY6sIWbaJ1vOfWCRAyQjLHYTqZrmRw8qonTngUFqxN-6gyo0xTaouI1t39Q2cIh9rPX4G7bzcjwMWC-uEpWhXQ6zfartau1QQGhndrerqxB03kW6fq2ZUW5vbHrPV/s4032/IMG_8821.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk3GIWgf1wG2mWZ7qq3vkkjFKcrrvp036HLQ8ztd4gNUZeIfplq6M7JClhdgnnMCGY6sIWbaJ1vOfWCRAyQjLHYTqZrmRw8qonTngUFqxN-6gyo0xTaouI1t39Q2cIh9rPX4G7bzcjwMWC-uEpWhXQ6zfartau1QQGhndrerqxB03kW6fq2ZUW5vbHrPV/w480-h640/IMG_8821.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeyY5t5QDqfadwXoLSSN6emCGGeAVays-6Q5kIaCl-JIIlXO7CDufGPK0My3zaGZ47MgJUifG92UHaimOLGvvUPg-xI5Auj1tBjfQ1wEY_68cEXjrVNHWq3-oGYEQHHh8Ls4jjxPPBQ3-nbio5Jaj0s_9hun8GdVP7gBXBUr2LQ3BLF1AR3HVnlDgUnRc/w480-h640/IMG_8825.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfHriK6eWpPGwyZ4RrVf-YSdOvQFdyNwOosckeGDAH0X2IrdmHaDNeT2QBsGgcgZHdNFoFU09mkILT0YxJrcf_JOoFJkan2kl77R8ZvY-xnD7X5NmdSLaY6qstcIJ8IPKVyvSJ9GTXTcsJz4IPIBbrt43P4vy6XV9E0x5xQDRrbstLphlKzqAI0jckiYc/s4032/IMG_8830.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfHriK6eWpPGwyZ4RrVf-YSdOvQFdyNwOosckeGDAH0X2IrdmHaDNeT2QBsGgcgZHdNFoFU09mkILT0YxJrcf_JOoFJkan2kl77R8ZvY-xnD7X5NmdSLaY6qstcIJ8IPKVyvSJ9GTXTcsJz4IPIBbrt43P4vy6XV9E0x5xQDRrbstLphlKzqAI0jckiYc/w480-h640/IMG_8830.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPggt3UysDIyyxMU496xsby0OHB94WBpAzfp47qMvWnfH00Dt6pQ0E2d4LOsmx49k59_T9bvb0CcCfWQp7ZNil6m-3rcNVXqxwma_kCIBuzkUy2MLcGgtc8Y0fvSn3o7hF8JlfUw5lAC7qpK5g6XgoDEKzWyVY_OdMkC22wK_IdcEyI8yOEX2iWT-sMHfr/s4032/IMG_8833.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPggt3UysDIyyxMU496xsby0OHB94WBpAzfp47qMvWnfH00Dt6pQ0E2d4LOsmx49k59_T9bvb0CcCfWQp7ZNil6m-3rcNVXqxwma_kCIBuzkUy2MLcGgtc8Y0fvSn3o7hF8JlfUw5lAC7qpK5g6XgoDEKzWyVY_OdMkC22wK_IdcEyI8yOEX2iWT-sMHfr/w640-h480/IMG_8833.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDewuliLMXaj7XIgIMXdK2aim9j6x92qhqMNimtVwV1_tPo8Mz3lYGOw0IJnUPCDoBVG1iKVGeihe3MabwxE_ZCCD4viCk3bzWUlx2PMtWaGaNd8PYJvbiHJ7orQ_Kcno95LOmLgEyei25h8FpqR28kpOPGzStAc-rAHOwuhyphenhyphen89GCSeXgaGc5BSeQcVEg/s4032/IMG_8834.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDewuliLMXaj7XIgIMXdK2aim9j6x92qhqMNimtVwV1_tPo8Mz3lYGOw0IJnUPCDoBVG1iKVGeihe3MabwxE_ZCCD4viCk3bzWUlx2PMtWaGaNd8PYJvbiHJ7orQ_Kcno95LOmLgEyei25h8FpqR28kpOPGzStAc-rAHOwuhyphenhyphen89GCSeXgaGc5BSeQcVEg/w480-h640/IMG_8834.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another place I visited twice was Kathmandu's Durban Square. Compared to Bhaktapur's Durban Square, it wasn't as impressive but still offered a lot to see. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56DQI3N5KnELp3h5KWkEA4mSbKHydcy6ADhgDKb66pnYclJTZ8CjlsEqZBxT4TQfB93oeQxjjlX9RsZKaPINAS6ebpNlTlsRmf2fHjFmAumlqVUmuQ9o44x-DdjX-ZYHSTQ1l68qjQqneeEmHY7gymnmsxKlGJNLRi6Ap1Lms9lkT-JrRlH43R53QkrXd/s4032/IMG_8846.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56DQI3N5KnELp3h5KWkEA4mSbKHydcy6ADhgDKb66pnYclJTZ8CjlsEqZBxT4TQfB93oeQxjjlX9RsZKaPINAS6ebpNlTlsRmf2fHjFmAumlqVUmuQ9o44x-DdjX-ZYHSTQ1l68qjQqneeEmHY7gymnmsxKlGJNLRi6Ap1Lms9lkT-JrRlH43R53QkrXd/w480-h640/IMG_8846.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nj0yKrQLWRdg-PNKnE1p1bUpgC-DxTOy2gXvwAHc41LEUhz3cu8GjWzZ3D7o1gxyfzhyz5Z_n0osggbDZzfuyKJp82ih3bzejW9tjfenzGGnwuameO_i5DBN7vZ7azfHmKv2l9ec3rHnOjSV9d_N_Azhay4ctK4xRzZ5gaaLJLj6Xzzc7XD9TVVQDmGo/s4032/IMG_8854.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nj0yKrQLWRdg-PNKnE1p1bUpgC-DxTOy2gXvwAHc41LEUhz3cu8GjWzZ3D7o1gxyfzhyz5Z_n0osggbDZzfuyKJp82ih3bzejW9tjfenzGGnwuameO_i5DBN7vZ7azfHmKv2l9ec3rHnOjSV9d_N_Azhay4ctK4xRzZ5gaaLJLj6Xzzc7XD9TVVQDmGo/w480-h640/IMG_8854.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my second visit, I lucked out by arriving in time to see the Kumari. In related news, I also learned what a Kumari is. Or more accurately, who the Kumari is. She is a living goddess who is considered sacred and is worshipped by the Newari people. All of that is well and good but the process of choosing the Kumari is really kind of awful. Young girls from a specific Newar caste are judged on a number of crazy beauty standards. They look for things such as (and I swear all of this is true): A neck like a conch shell, body like a banyan tree, eyelashes like a cow, thighs like a deer, chest like a lion and voice as soft and clear as a duck's. Once they find the ideal candidate, they put the child through some pretty horrific tests. She must spend a night alone in a room with 108 recently slaughtered goat and buffalo heads and not show any fear. If she cries, the selection process begins anew. Seriously, wtf?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once she is named the Kumari, she is placed in the palace and is only allowed to leave for ceremonial purposes. It gets weirder. Her feet must no longer touch the ground so she is transported everywhere on a golden palanquin. As part of her duties, she makes a daily appearance on her balcony so that worshippers can pray to her. She only stays for a minute or so but her demeanor is closely watched. If she remains calm and impassive, that means your wishes will be granted. Conversely, if she laughs or cries, that foretells a death or serious illness. On the day I saw her, she was cool as a cucumber, which seems to have worked. I can't speak for anyone else but I can attest that my plea of "please don't let me shit myself in this square" was indeed granted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She remains the Kumari until she has her first period, at which time, she reverts to mere mortal status and is removed from the palace and the only life she has known. Many of them have to relearn to walk since their legs muscles have atrophied. To top it all off, it is believed that any man who marries a former Kumari will die within a year so good luck on Tinder with that one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All religion, by its nature, is pretty goofy but this poor kid really didn't get a say in any of this. I'm grateful to have been able to see her but overall, I just left feeling sad for this child. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeonQgg3XL8LFv99bfu7plUJ_qtmcLvv3rX-vsOPHDXAe0HinvZwxKF7LOr3X6sBoY9Z2_kGQ4W2jxEJ1wL7XATBCloDfuEhUS_8rpIjveOoDkcXpJAYmpvhnuuwA6gwA58PKLGU75TYeWOX6azwe8dbOQHPKRm2SSEGLuLL8616O9kWaZkp0YaaIb_9XX/s4032/IMG_9442.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeonQgg3XL8LFv99bfu7plUJ_qtmcLvv3rX-vsOPHDXAe0HinvZwxKF7LOr3X6sBoY9Z2_kGQ4W2jxEJ1wL7XATBCloDfuEhUS_8rpIjveOoDkcXpJAYmpvhnuuwA6gwA58PKLGU75TYeWOX6azwe8dbOQHPKRm2SSEGLuLL8616O9kWaZkp0YaaIb_9XX/w640-h480/IMG_9442.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglPDL9ug71wAc3R5zhlAsql0MTx4EKrk-VAUDwYPAbrLvanEYW3X5lQ8k2wbbE54SfTlWP7gi-BEh6rSGsWMkvHzwb8PkA2WSgBZeT-EFgc0HGr5gR3X0St1u3V0gcs-ZtYwSJYWNtMVB_06RwmTMhbcGRyIMU4fu3xfr2B-GNPARw332rxwx2ge1R9HI/s4032/IMG_9444.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglPDL9ug71wAc3R5zhlAsql0MTx4EKrk-VAUDwYPAbrLvanEYW3X5lQ8k2wbbE54SfTlWP7gi-BEh6rSGsWMkvHzwb8PkA2WSgBZeT-EFgc0HGr5gR3X0St1u3V0gcs-ZtYwSJYWNtMVB_06RwmTMhbcGRyIMU4fu3xfr2B-GNPARw332rxwx2ge1R9HI/w480-h640/IMG_9444.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu1PYd8BW_yyKTCFdPyH7OOyBafBS8hGXa6NmRNcVcnizfCI0JLLsCe6CDy83haMq6IlU_sETc6COwiLBpGm1tUbtGZfgQdMh_EbjucVx64z5JA7mRPrmE0LrI8aOQ8nqp4ba-rATn3kqHUGTUIK5k45nYluxG-jxqCdx_0wWlHF7_gd9ibSrbF1-b3Fw/s4032/IMG_9446.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfu1PYd8BW_yyKTCFdPyH7OOyBafBS8hGXa6NmRNcVcnizfCI0JLLsCe6CDy83haMq6IlU_sETc6COwiLBpGm1tUbtGZfgQdMh_EbjucVx64z5JA7mRPrmE0LrI8aOQ8nqp4ba-rATn3kqHUGTUIK5k45nYluxG-jxqCdx_0wWlHF7_gd9ibSrbF1-b3Fw/w480-h640/IMG_9446.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Moving on to the rest of the square, the pass that gets you in gives you access not just to the Kumari's house but also to a number of museums, mainly dedicated to the royal family. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0OQ6Lhpx4_9Ek5L568PV3gjZ2XlgvKHn61Q5jNwY6NSgSBK18zgUvxdyN9AHtCFmwIlhIf-bthXILvzqypxCWqyCH7IOX8rzqnb3PIZLqoV_nDAxzteurNc4kA1-ywgun_BijbT1wESDWO8EGdPDZbwznEGZcnnUr0gBDRA0YPRQeUsZF2dW-w-4RtPt/s4032/IMG_9452.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0OQ6Lhpx4_9Ek5L568PV3gjZ2XlgvKHn61Q5jNwY6NSgSBK18zgUvxdyN9AHtCFmwIlhIf-bthXILvzqypxCWqyCH7IOX8rzqnb3PIZLqoV_nDAxzteurNc4kA1-ywgun_BijbT1wESDWO8EGdPDZbwznEGZcnnUr0gBDRA0YPRQeUsZF2dW-w-4RtPt/w640-h480/IMG_9452.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI4qMp_sP19crLzgHW5_e_hFjsrPfrQmH3_F7aXDMHAwfB2HX4t2-6dAAwSF-LPhbD8nmNRe5ennIlCDTNT4lLiq762sPMI2MmPa1ZPYKpPJ3IxmSSOxZwpjd95xAlttizFTZAirxTp-LQrf0_Wn4-r63-nEjqBpOtjT1nnuMUQT6SoZekqkBqVtCThgX/s4032/IMG_9480.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI4qMp_sP19crLzgHW5_e_hFjsrPfrQmH3_F7aXDMHAwfB2HX4t2-6dAAwSF-LPhbD8nmNRe5ennIlCDTNT4lLiq762sPMI2MmPa1ZPYKpPJ3IxmSSOxZwpjd95xAlttizFTZAirxTp-LQrf0_Wn4-r63-nEjqBpOtjT1nnuMUQT6SoZekqkBqVtCThgX/w640-h480/IMG_9480.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNF5nffKx-4uMB9lpXt3uv5bWm6tv4TxNOLOglU-f7eoj4tBTxA9WgntCTsaRvGwqxZuGa5h_1lXXuQFbt9MNQqxoC4ToGw3uvG0j8P_oU5iHbdGJIt-c4cJZLFlfEolZOPleIvy1HR-ROKoG3xs2FoiD6cUMd1ELWUp_WYmU41uzQ369vQUKnsZ5E1SW/s4032/IMG_9483.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNF5nffKx-4uMB9lpXt3uv5bWm6tv4TxNOLOglU-f7eoj4tBTxA9WgntCTsaRvGwqxZuGa5h_1lXXuQFbt9MNQqxoC4ToGw3uvG0j8P_oU5iHbdGJIt-c4cJZLFlfEolZOPleIvy1HR-ROKoG3xs2FoiD6cUMd1ELWUp_WYmU41uzQ369vQUKnsZ5E1SW/w480-h640/IMG_9483.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't much in a museum mindset so I went through them pretty quickly, preferring to watch a ceremony unfold at a nearby temple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmy6Ly4Nrgsbfl7RdowhtCEtJc0cWIYOOC1FIjoEdN1_u0qdCTipuXPmUpPHUb_px14CYz9DAK96WLRCBpPkX9BITFbyDDdoy1V8o8VzMZnYRwuNBUz9CUhq-wZv5JuAq_AQVS5ypZjK4iw7leDkLC-MX8D_0UQO-4KM5cDSw__4Ezb-PYMIPgxH8IiWn/s4032/IMG_9456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmy6Ly4Nrgsbfl7RdowhtCEtJc0cWIYOOC1FIjoEdN1_u0qdCTipuXPmUpPHUb_px14CYz9DAK96WLRCBpPkX9BITFbyDDdoy1V8o8VzMZnYRwuNBUz9CUhq-wZv5JuAq_AQVS5ypZjK4iw7leDkLC-MX8D_0UQO-4KM5cDSw__4Ezb-PYMIPgxH8IiWn/w480-h640/IMG_9456.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkH59kJggA8UBl3W4R2BOmb5agaBQNymLW9uIrT0s25D2WKvMv1t1wFsMRgieeUiHAy3X92BW6NyRLOBjl5NN52D6VvZp8vkB47ZyDtmWi2BZ_aLo7UnEHgEjoMbFCzVKkr9nlAq5Gp6v_lJ8Jf_aLVo-2MkrLbQE48Hvbnfr4j7IlLIEY8V6yzEv-u2F/s4032/IMG_9459.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkH59kJggA8UBl3W4R2BOmb5agaBQNymLW9uIrT0s25D2WKvMv1t1wFsMRgieeUiHAy3X92BW6NyRLOBjl5NN52D6VvZp8vkB47ZyDtmWi2BZ_aLo7UnEHgEjoMbFCzVKkr9nlAq5Gp6v_lJ8Jf_aLVo-2MkrLbQE48Hvbnfr4j7IlLIEY8V6yzEv-u2F/w480-h640/IMG_9459.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my other days, there were a total of 3 the second time around, I pretty much laid low and tried to stay hydrated. On one of my few outings, I visited the Garden of Dreams, which is basically a nice municipal park with a cover charge. It was one of the few quiet places in the city so maybe that is where the dream part comes in but otherwise, it was nothing special. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvZXrLNrSN9uy52jp9LyU7ix4MVr1O0-oSYMBE1JB13vQo2octDU9JYPhR7K8aHqpuyZqRxaeOzKz_D2AcvbkjtVZVCej39QIvl7oEx2fw26LjPZl1XXPB3LNqzw8DBdiS6gwe3gxtC6h94vTet2D1DPDdWIOA2LK6CxQVCuvUBcQT-NkEf55d7NxB11v/s4032/IMG_9389.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvZXrLNrSN9uy52jp9LyU7ix4MVr1O0-oSYMBE1JB13vQo2octDU9JYPhR7K8aHqpuyZqRxaeOzKz_D2AcvbkjtVZVCej39QIvl7oEx2fw26LjPZl1XXPB3LNqzw8DBdiS6gwe3gxtC6h94vTet2D1DPDdWIOA2LK6CxQVCuvUBcQT-NkEf55d7NxB11v/w480-h640/IMG_9389.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was much more fascinated by the Boudhanath Stupa. It is one of the largest stupas, or commemorative monument containing religious relics, in the world and has been named a UNESCO world heritage site. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpUKQLUMjTPpXmbLvZBGKXuLOsJcjr0vGMh6ZHbjRa2LvU6rymN_j8UYRx7eFxwHBqd-FLmR7wYD6qzbQhypXPdGT8klvpzmmU2Y-zgbShKNfQi0KOpFaRBBtqJxjQxxVMIZVK-341gMbvh0eef0CzLFNARg_F1yEkIsz2oEPA5HNz8msh2VeEW0MWZKU/s4032/IMG_9408.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpUKQLUMjTPpXmbLvZBGKXuLOsJcjr0vGMh6ZHbjRa2LvU6rymN_j8UYRx7eFxwHBqd-FLmR7wYD6qzbQhypXPdGT8klvpzmmU2Y-zgbShKNfQi0KOpFaRBBtqJxjQxxVMIZVK-341gMbvh0eef0CzLFNARg_F1yEkIsz2oEPA5HNz8msh2VeEW0MWZKU/w640-h480/IMG_9408.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is also a major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. At the time of my visit, there were hundreds of worshippers walking clockwise (it's always clockwise) around the Stupa. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI9JYWlR6HpbP1v4EJsEbdKnv9vYXehYYf6Skyy3cpxJeCNIdiEKg15FU7nSmJw2l_0x4xc0KdI0DhBz-oQOdAzJWvWpz6LlacylYE0WRL5AoRFTdaLqA63kPQd_lEcRsecnfGt8-qqUROIwxKelkB3CQd0p8ppB-XXzqJhWbNe52OcSQg2VcHaquSUg0/s4032/IMG_9400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI9JYWlR6HpbP1v4EJsEbdKnv9vYXehYYf6Skyy3cpxJeCNIdiEKg15FU7nSmJw2l_0x4xc0KdI0DhBz-oQOdAzJWvWpz6LlacylYE0WRL5AoRFTdaLqA63kPQd_lEcRsecnfGt8-qqUROIwxKelkB3CQd0p8ppB-XXzqJhWbNe52OcSQg2VcHaquSUg0/w480-h640/IMG_9400.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxpCxwt8NV1HOssq9gDX2AGi4b7UE3pRb59yF_WISn5_MP-ZFKNFOBC24v_xDOXE98WdOP4El2_Qhd4rhxz7B9AHdI6tufGhx06xOfv8CWGnSmvFVmxPDu8m4K6eApz4p-D9NHkUeAfYKjktwKMqcTanIErGhB42vzCbn6N9f-6WlyIHWn53EgWMqNkjn/s4032/IMG_9413.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxpCxwt8NV1HOssq9gDX2AGi4b7UE3pRb59yF_WISn5_MP-ZFKNFOBC24v_xDOXE98WdOP4El2_Qhd4rhxz7B9AHdI6tufGhx06xOfv8CWGnSmvFVmxPDu8m4K6eApz4p-D9NHkUeAfYKjktwKMqcTanIErGhB42vzCbn6N9f-6WlyIHWn53EgWMqNkjn/w640-h480/IMG_9413.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I joined them, walking around a couple of times before finding a rooftop restaurant from which to watch the procession. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBxNbAksnAKK8MLe1apF9e0FLBOj1MimhlX_GHIXhHbMznTFgcifqyFautRZfCuvu4KbbQdfOKyduAoxZISVjEMtNoH5N2iFZdZWkZUM348u0njJOPBDFpjeVZYcL5xCfcZ5RT-MD8N07WXLE0UWG3ngeUCv6MdWI2z58w4sLThTReFLqTlA0qNAmvUP9/s4032/IMG_9418.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBxNbAksnAKK8MLe1apF9e0FLBOj1MimhlX_GHIXhHbMznTFgcifqyFautRZfCuvu4KbbQdfOKyduAoxZISVjEMtNoH5N2iFZdZWkZUM348u0njJOPBDFpjeVZYcL5xCfcZ5RT-MD8N07WXLE0UWG3ngeUCv6MdWI2z58w4sLThTReFLqTlA0qNAmvUP9/w640-h480/IMG_9418.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMW86i7yMtKkAioKJWMHJzyLv3GWs4sLLMu4uoHQdwrmpOLyfDrW9griswDg4weW2VCZ5fFfCVx4SY6wy-huT2wh2ee1f9WI5A2lfRCcOLGgsQlWcdQuRTaiXtHN4Le0KQsPo3VOWDUWEtybe2VwG1oa1vDtjNW388a__6skXGPln5zg8MZ2Pq5hiPsbn/s4032/IMG_9434.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMW86i7yMtKkAioKJWMHJzyLv3GWs4sLLMu4uoHQdwrmpOLyfDrW9griswDg4weW2VCZ5fFfCVx4SY6wy-huT2wh2ee1f9WI5A2lfRCcOLGgsQlWcdQuRTaiXtHN4Le0KQsPo3VOWDUWEtybe2VwG1oa1vDtjNW388a__6skXGPln5zg8MZ2Pq5hiPsbn/w480-h640/IMG_9434.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I had hoped to also make it out to the nightly Aarti (or cremation) ceremony but I was usually in bed by early evening. Bishwo, the owner of my hostel in Bhaktapur and guide extraordinaire came to visit and offered to take me there on his bike but I just didn't have the energy at that point. That plus Kathmandu drivers are no joke, no way was I getting on a bike there. </div><div><br /></div><div> It does suck that I didn't get to do everything I'd hoped but in three weeks time, I had seen plenty of Nepal. I'd come to love this beautiful wildly scenic country and its warm welcoming people. I leave most places hoping to return but here I really mean it. In retrospect, that's probably what I should have asked the Kumari for. </div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-75024718472812103782024-01-08T01:26:00.009-05:002024-02-04T18:06:46.864-05:00We've got to talk about Chitwan.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zi7zj-0qW-1ZFccLKfh87fHjvAn1DLW2n9b2k6OuYmqStblzKtklFJPOeBJEstE4JmW3fbeCl73fUXwr5rm8Z_5L5P-0aJeEG6mBg7lTqfxPhtIudJKF2yMMEohVyOhPKsIKX77gtF2Vkvw3kmQzjMnSjG2OizstPb8KING5fbNQy_ON5RQD7yzJ6bMg/s4032/IMG_8687.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zi7zj-0qW-1ZFccLKfh87fHjvAn1DLW2n9b2k6OuYmqStblzKtklFJPOeBJEstE4JmW3fbeCl73fUXwr5rm8Z_5L5P-0aJeEG6mBg7lTqfxPhtIudJKF2yMMEohVyOhPKsIKX77gtF2Vkvw3kmQzjMnSjG2OizstPb8KING5fbNQy_ON5RQD7yzJ6bMg/w640-h480/IMG_8687.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hoo boy, where to start. Chitwan, a town in the southern part of Nepal, is a truly wild place. It is literally wild in that it is home to a national park boasting tigers, rhinos, sloth bears, elephants and four species of deer. But it also has this kind of wild west, anything goes vibe that ultimately raises more questions than answers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I, along with every other visitor, was there with the hopes of seeing a Bengal Tiger. In order to do that, I contacted my hotel ahead of time to set up a safari. The very helpful owner responded immediately with a list of options. Chief among them was an 8 hour walking tour within the park. This seemed like a very vulnerable position to put yourself in when encountering a tiger but surely they know what they are doing. Still, that much walking in hot, humid weather sounded less than ideal, even absent a tiger attack. I opted to think it over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After yet another bone-jarring bus ride, this time from Pokhara to Chitwan, I checked into the hotel and settled on a final itinerary. I would do a canoe safari, 2 jeep safaris, a 4 hour walk through the park and a night in a jungle tower. Surely I would see a tiger with all of those opportunities. However,the schedule I was given felt a bit strange. I've done at least a dozen safaris in seven different countries. The one constant has always been the timing, they are always either at sunrise or sunset. It is well-established that most wildlife is smart enough to just chill during the hottest parts of the day. The best chances of encountering anything is thus early morning or late afternoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first activity, a canoe ride followed by the walking safari, wouldn't begin until 9am, well after sunrise. Ok, that's odd but it gave me an opportunity that first evening to watch the sunset by the river and check out the town's surprisingly robust nightlife. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcTCV_jsDpWPvRkjLJ_9jJRKEV08QjKi4cOwYr2PnL0a6kAWWdMG0mjFRwexEJUD7s43rH_Auj8MRifyJUy0AyHwoadSd-NFOx0p4PjlaWADQpIyerS4TVu5CuYG-myKFtaHEdjkKG3XsjGITevc4D6mhjt38JVL-q6nLf_F0K1jvD9OOC5JcQJJut5qn/s4032/IMG_8603.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcTCV_jsDpWPvRkjLJ_9jJRKEV08QjKi4cOwYr2PnL0a6kAWWdMG0mjFRwexEJUD7s43rH_Auj8MRifyJUy0AyHwoadSd-NFOx0p4PjlaWADQpIyerS4TVu5CuYG-myKFtaHEdjkKG3XsjGITevc4D6mhjt38JVL-q6nLf_F0K1jvD9OOC5JcQJJut5qn/w480-h640/IMG_8603.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuaMDR3y8B5TLsbqT4zEtXSt8ZlLT0XwbBJuIAp5l8m7kGfMxhtOTUrbg7FRjYETKapa-92nN-x21prNkbBbHFfPKx28_utq741xQvzrj6fU48nmhs0Jf1P_1byFo5afS_b2fiOqlWdHo3rMLSH7lOrk68V8xrRxzBWlxLoZorJsAL9Uze9oqesHuPtZ/s4032/IMG_8606.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuaMDR3y8B5TLsbqT4zEtXSt8ZlLT0XwbBJuIAp5l8m7kGfMxhtOTUrbg7FRjYETKapa-92nN-x21prNkbBbHFfPKx28_utq741xQvzrj6fU48nmhs0Jf1P_1byFo5afS_b2fiOqlWdHo3rMLSH7lOrk68V8xrRxzBWlxLoZorJsAL9Uze9oqesHuPtZ/w640-h480/IMG_8606.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLczXBm9TDxRZVtDGtc9GUph-wl-wJwYDR2SbJcazLQSCoIgeXDGEKnrtkkYoQN3EM6i3BbOCON0wz14wS8hVxz40zeEWYtfiSmjZq-mtxU4zhSRnLz32sxUYXNsz660i5S4AggJYyOynoB7cXLcAMFrm8xAOwcq0SoKhMtZbH34iRHGcCgBzdkDYrKZ/s4032/IMG_8718.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLczXBm9TDxRZVtDGtc9GUph-wl-wJwYDR2SbJcazLQSCoIgeXDGEKnrtkkYoQN3EM6i3BbOCON0wz14wS8hVxz40zeEWYtfiSmjZq-mtxU4zhSRnLz32sxUYXNsz660i5S4AggJYyOynoB7cXLcAMFrm8xAOwcq0SoKhMtZbH34iRHGcCgBzdkDYrKZ/w640-h480/IMG_8718.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, our ride in the dugout canoe was pretty chill with lots of bird sightings and a couple of crocs and gators basking in the sun. This is presented as a separate activity but the river is the dividing line between the town and the national park so anytime you are entering the park, you are most likely taking a canoe. </div><div><br /></div><div>The main event was the walking tour. It is mandated that each group have two guides, one leading the way and the other bringing up the rear. They are equipped only with sticks and hopefully a strong knowledge of animal behavior. Our group consisted of the two guides, a couple, a girl from New Zealand and myself. By way of introduction, our guide explained what we should do if we encounter wild animals. If we spotted a rhino, we were to climb the nearest tree. This is a good time to point out that in my life, I have never climbed a tree. He was about to continue with his instructions when he remembered that the last time he went through his whole spiel, a girl in the group started crying, so better to stop at the rhino. Weird, when there are tigers in our midst, but whatever...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9sKSrHLV6s29LZTeen02ce_Mf-u0aIWa2OymOdnLb9tDqny4Rl_Y6qA1BFS_J3UWV_gZ_9lFEQ_kiK7HWCAsC8xWg2flqg-j_UjjzQOH8RqHHA0BRuuXcv7TTQ7SvYHz7zHX6XIahwO5F6C6mvRvfMeaqtbBFo95-6jbkcsqJ5MTrcHUkj2DufTdSKft/s4032/IMG_8619.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9sKSrHLV6s29LZTeen02ce_Mf-u0aIWa2OymOdnLb9tDqny4Rl_Y6qA1BFS_J3UWV_gZ_9lFEQ_kiK7HWCAsC8xWg2flqg-j_UjjzQOH8RqHHA0BRuuXcv7TTQ7SvYHz7zHX6XIahwO5F6C6mvRvfMeaqtbBFo95-6jbkcsqJ5MTrcHUkj2DufTdSKft/w640-h480/IMG_8619.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We walked for hours without seeing as much as a squirrel. The problem is the dense foliage. This time of year, the elephant grass grows tall and thick so any animal who is not asleep during the hottest part of the day, can easily hide. It occured to me that the reason you could do a walking safari in a park full of predators was because the likelihood of encountering anything was so exceedingly rare. This was both comforting and disappointing. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvV2sHLPkoEcCtcEBD7OusEKG-W7XrpCqZka7Uhm5XnO8RZhOnHUq1ckEnjV9EEIosJrmEEXXJryWyTdOCS3r9BeMl_THsUkSYuPg8X_h73atWAlNWECduyYH7KOytrRtq1nK_yh85FxprB8gFTixEaunNVOsutt6GdilmIkeRa4aubkImXVoy4KNKzpw/s4032/IMG_8623.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvV2sHLPkoEcCtcEBD7OusEKG-W7XrpCqZka7Uhm5XnO8RZhOnHUq1ckEnjV9EEIosJrmEEXXJryWyTdOCS3r9BeMl_THsUkSYuPg8X_h73atWAlNWECduyYH7KOytrRtq1nK_yh85FxprB8gFTixEaunNVOsutt6GdilmIkeRa4aubkImXVoy4KNKzpw/w480-h640/IMG_8623.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At one point, our guide stopped to point out some trees where the monkeys would be were there any monkeys. (Narrator's voice: There were no monkeys.) With all of us facing the tree, I turned around to face the guide. Right over his shoulder, maybe 20 feet away smack dab in the middle of the road, there stood a rhino. It took me a split second to process this and conclude that he probably wouldn't appreciate me screaming. Instead, I tapped the guide on the shoulder and pointed behind him. Being directly in front of the guide gave me the perfect vantage point to watch his reaction unfold. First, there was the almost cartoonish aaa-ooo-gah eyes. Then a panicked "Oh no, I know him. He is very aggressive." Great, he's got personal beef with this one-horned rhino. I too should have been freaked out but I was more bemused by the absurdity of this situation. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLhXjrb6VD1oGj08ykjYFw9ELVNvPRKupKiB0GqDqg8oKWC80ShcNVKWrB2p5nvlmfNCco9YjS2qfzikmziFnD8HNIjNHBpujIxAzA0xkpMcgFAVMrQoTKoylNGXLwSaZR6IlCe8e9vpjPfdpnkiUXi2Im_TVTjw-D44ONkVM89T9-mV9CdCS3EUFa8ms/s4032/IMG_8624.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLhXjrb6VD1oGj08ykjYFw9ELVNvPRKupKiB0GqDqg8oKWC80ShcNVKWrB2p5nvlmfNCco9YjS2qfzikmziFnD8HNIjNHBpujIxAzA0xkpMcgFAVMrQoTKoylNGXLwSaZR6IlCe8e9vpjPfdpnkiUXi2Im_TVTjw-D44ONkVM89T9-mV9CdCS3EUFa8ms/w480-h640/IMG_8624.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmKwCHhcnwv_DCAxI8UDfW9PUOqIUWy5JdXjfNYrqLkj7NprM4JDdyoU10vrCpeKyjIY6GoxIfKt3aL2sRvDfgUrQnSascfSUy-4T42FWUngKbrShr8I8FG50i-4ldPbi0jWuH15b99b6jDo6yCiBv4H4lvpHh7cxqJ4umltNWuaMvap35t1fLf2ndKy/s4032/IMG_8626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmKwCHhcnwv_DCAxI8UDfW9PUOqIUWy5JdXjfNYrqLkj7NprM4JDdyoU10vrCpeKyjIY6GoxIfKt3aL2sRvDfgUrQnSascfSUy-4T42FWUngKbrShr8I8FG50i-4ldPbi0jWuH15b99b6jDo6yCiBv4H4lvpHh7cxqJ4umltNWuaMvap35t1fLf2ndKy/w480-h640/IMG_8626.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As he had us back away slowly, I remember turning to Louise, the girl from New Zealand, and muttering "I'm not climbing a tree, I'll tell you that much." </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mqdLIp7Vgeg-OEozID4Sw3-U2YCPMTu5PeEkUaTRsuCBuaKPhiHvg_cDezL6AhZPweRaczJ9cljJ1gJKIPr0xbZiaKSZiMzFx3UfODpxWnCFzfr6Fw-mN1417zJZ87WvjKwg9KmISTXDVYVQwPQZVSvK0Fr0Qjg_UZppZmg5cPg0q6GZlG-q0pDSSu1D/s4032/IMG_8627.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mqdLIp7Vgeg-OEozID4Sw3-U2YCPMTu5PeEkUaTRsuCBuaKPhiHvg_cDezL6AhZPweRaczJ9cljJ1gJKIPr0xbZiaKSZiMzFx3UfODpxWnCFzfr6Fw-mN1417zJZ87WvjKwg9KmISTXDVYVQwPQZVSvK0Fr0Qjg_UZppZmg5cPg0q6GZlG-q0pDSSu1D/w480-h640/IMG_8627.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmAftfhVpbSdwI5qui6DPS00qkGKkqx_ycAMZYxl6e3xPc2fNNdAiMPAAWEKoS4LH71W52S69Gk8c6j8-d6uJKQ09eFHWJhwTqXKymg_0ZJkDbjt56mkrUP_XKF33r8oLOu7e9u6pS6pMd7Izv_mjN6p4_UMPhEcDA1lMXY561hZ8c4q0iZN4XHuD711t/s4032/IMG_8628.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmAftfhVpbSdwI5qui6DPS00qkGKkqx_ycAMZYxl6e3xPc2fNNdAiMPAAWEKoS4LH71W52S69Gk8c6j8-d6uJKQ09eFHWJhwTqXKymg_0ZJkDbjt56mkrUP_XKF33r8oLOu7e9u6pS6pMd7Izv_mjN6p4_UMPhEcDA1lMXY561hZ8c4q0iZN4XHuD711t/w480-h640/IMG_8628.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Eventually, the rhino got bored and wandered back into the grasses. But the guide's reaction left us with a lot of questions. How common are animal attacks within the park? As it turns out, the answer is very common. Google "Chitwan, animal attacks" and you get a disturbing number of hits. There's</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://english.onlinekhabar.com/tiger-attack-chitwan-kill.html" style="text-align: left;">this</a><span style="text-align: left;">,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://nepalnews.com/s/nation/22-killed-in-wild-animal-attacks-in-chitwan" style="text-align: left;">this</a><span style="text-align: left;"> and don't miss</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/that-time-we-were-attacked-by-bears" style="text-align: left;">this</a><span style="text-align: left;"> account of tourists watching their guide get mauled by a sloth bear. We were told the story of a tiger whose reputation for killing humans was so well-known, he had been given a name. I forget what it was but let's call him Fred. Fred had such a high body count that authorities had no choice but to capture him. But what to do next? Tigers are endangered and to quote Chris Rock, the tiger hadn't gone crazy, the tiger had simply gone tiger. You can't kill the tiger but perhaps you can relocate him to a less populated area or maybe find him a sanctuary. But they did none of those things, much like the church with a pedo priest, they simply just moved him over to the next town. Fred did not appreciate this and has since made his way back to Chitwan. Our guide's advice: "He has a very big head. If you see a tiger with a very big head, that's probably Fred. You should be careful." Ya think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbuzjTbxbxL15iWpzfzXgZIh4pND9Fy-84jWs6TpjxWMT6ABq1UTo0WKwAmKnOu4DUjrm9o5Goo2CjLCG5HKV_aFgAjJDYfZLif14bxvygS_v4CZUCBSzG9B0LmsCrgGw6mcr47ouThrER7HqStCAe9gipqQf3R9Cfh5Pp-9gktCP_xauHS5yFpI_qlr9/s4032/IMG_8632.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbuzjTbxbxL15iWpzfzXgZIh4pND9Fy-84jWs6TpjxWMT6ABq1UTo0WKwAmKnOu4DUjrm9o5Goo2CjLCG5HKV_aFgAjJDYfZLif14bxvygS_v4CZUCBSzG9B0LmsCrgGw6mcr47ouThrER7HqStCAe9gipqQf3R9Cfh5Pp-9gktCP_xauHS5yFpI_qlr9/w480-h640/IMG_8632.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEVOXf1RDVatHkxbpcVhke3q2hhvT32r8uj3l3U93eHh06n5s4jYcMh6mqiRhjNex0a26-dkgOjyFkg6sdYi0hmUIegvn95bJGSRzJDTyz-6bN86ZeRxj5evU_odFAc7NoPP2N0Y0hE9pYKjcWIv6Vlg1ckb427BeYvnO8pP3zbO4wEbkKgkBZp6ET0yb/s4032/IMG_8636.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEVOXf1RDVatHkxbpcVhke3q2hhvT32r8uj3l3U93eHh06n5s4jYcMh6mqiRhjNex0a26-dkgOjyFkg6sdYi0hmUIegvn95bJGSRzJDTyz-6bN86ZeRxj5evU_odFAc7NoPP2N0Y0hE9pYKjcWIv6Vlg1ckb427BeYvnO8pP3zbO4wEbkKgkBZp6ET0yb/w480-h640/IMG_8636.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lusty living?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWCJHOV6aiG3Ya8POJfB__yJ4BJTdaWtUi_KT40Vy8UGUcsMfjN73MoDdQhOIZ86mJsSNxECJDhbWMH9mwYtzIz8Nv6_MvFBAu3TM7R81-0er2K3yWo5FxEJSTw_6CdMBbfeKaCZaKXTSGRfHogyuGAyXOwkcYcjqAEPQqO3kvwm9pUw8MmmCPRd9DzmN/s4032/IMG_8638.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWCJHOV6aiG3Ya8POJfB__yJ4BJTdaWtUi_KT40Vy8UGUcsMfjN73MoDdQhOIZ86mJsSNxECJDhbWMH9mwYtzIz8Nv6_MvFBAu3TM7R81-0er2K3yWo5FxEJSTw_6CdMBbfeKaCZaKXTSGRfHogyuGAyXOwkcYcjqAEPQqO3kvwm9pUw8MmmCPRd9DzmN/w640-h480/IMG_8638.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBKZN9XEAEP_GMZ_fyM54nxqsTni7gIuM0XeX6tvZljj2ENwCjw-QZbCBnEVzVza8_LNOBy0k_8A7neKKp4QRxod7arXJxLuDgDElj2Mt-voRevm_oNigeHWB2ec6FD6ZrVcgMgK-NMfc7SwHCv9HFrUJY33YhzvO1R60K_FVRih9EoWJYA7ulviNjOVU/s4032/IMG_8639.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBKZN9XEAEP_GMZ_fyM54nxqsTni7gIuM0XeX6tvZljj2ENwCjw-QZbCBnEVzVza8_LNOBy0k_8A7neKKp4QRxod7arXJxLuDgDElj2Mt-voRevm_oNigeHWB2ec6FD6ZrVcgMgK-NMfc7SwHCv9HFrUJY33YhzvO1R60K_FVRih9EoWJYA7ulviNjOVU/w640-h480/IMG_8639.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rest of our walking tour was relatively uneventful, although it was tough to relax after learning that even the deer have been known to attack. How is it that everything in this park is pissed off and why are walking tours an option? More importantly, why has there not been any kind of documentary about this place?</div><div><br /></div><div>After lunch, we returned to the park for our jeep safari. It was 2pm. In the best of circumstances, this is not a great time to do a safari and these were far from the best of circumstances. Doing a safari while the grasses are as high as they are is the equivalent of going whale watching in the off-season. Sure, you might get lucky and see an errant dolphin but you best go in with some lowered expectations. For over four hours, we drove around with a guide who knew better than any of us how futile this was yet he still tried his best. We did see some rhinos in the distance, a couple of deer and lots of birds but mainly we just cruised around a pretty park. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0igD5Tai4exokFrVHU2iS6EYNXRBz16FIMGXJMKWDckHdWwVLg6tpNd5LcgZODr8LowDX8bn7u3UJ2WqCSTgO9zinutyZ8wDmJMaP8YDm-itvRlnWH8VP7neAPhSpYNqt9P09fkL-g-qQHJDF_uiup_P8DRKGoTR_NtQb243TFzky7-VzXcKOYU9dWVb/s4032/IMG_8640.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0igD5Tai4exokFrVHU2iS6EYNXRBz16FIMGXJMKWDckHdWwVLg6tpNd5LcgZODr8LowDX8bn7u3UJ2WqCSTgO9zinutyZ8wDmJMaP8YDm-itvRlnWH8VP7neAPhSpYNqt9P09fkL-g-qQHJDF_uiup_P8DRKGoTR_NtQb243TFzky7-VzXcKOYU9dWVb/w640-h480/IMG_8640.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTCJnYfBh2yF9Vg3bGT50H1ZMuBzvJag6dfEjyH0ocgdrtCAYzoYzZGEME4nqiGEcyaUs74P-z9iPP_9QtXWiGa1CKJrGqJ12v3BZRyvuegvlY2CgmONHruYQsifXzeU3RTrHGLrpaDrUiZvYX6QDsw3rGgStx9LaPOKnyTIoOSPjUxkLBUQSlbrAvxzN/s4032/IMG_8649.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTCJnYfBh2yF9Vg3bGT50H1ZMuBzvJag6dfEjyH0ocgdrtCAYzoYzZGEME4nqiGEcyaUs74P-z9iPP_9QtXWiGa1CKJrGqJ12v3BZRyvuegvlY2CgmONHruYQsifXzeU3RTrHGLrpaDrUiZvYX6QDsw3rGgStx9LaPOKnyTIoOSPjUxkLBUQSlbrAvxzN/w640-h480/IMG_8649.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQromPxvH0qv8MgGUn6sRrgJ4_ppI5dAGlRTT4xNnvXtDnxZfsoog4MLHMeyUiB7adHQtS1lw7eYX1fl1unkQ8G8nYu4lsp3HRpGL-Wyl3_beEnOt6QJCnVjiEt6xT1jV4l9mIVbkHz73E-PnTXT3ET3odxclredpWRWMHMFk7p7L5VMsaavArrDIUbLFX/s4032/IMG_8656.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQromPxvH0qv8MgGUn6sRrgJ4_ppI5dAGlRTT4xNnvXtDnxZfsoog4MLHMeyUiB7adHQtS1lw7eYX1fl1unkQ8G8nYu4lsp3HRpGL-Wyl3_beEnOt6QJCnVjiEt6xT1jV4l9mIVbkHz73E-PnTXT3ET3odxclredpWRWMHMFk7p7L5VMsaavArrDIUbLFX/w640-h480/IMG_8656.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloNDhyphenhyphen27_9moj4qEA0ponPIlgIdNqbePZyJbmBtergmPXpfatx4M9sFHbCT2xb9x7N9w4Nv5LAyC36SySHnhfJf7J4TePXh7nlMz176mfSRLzhBa9cSVw9RafcoGM6XSbssRcBHCJLvX3nUgmqEzAewC-xRy59jdb79ObSx9hlpKclJIxll4HDPDfywRo/s4032/IMG_8660.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloNDhyphenhyphen27_9moj4qEA0ponPIlgIdNqbePZyJbmBtergmPXpfatx4M9sFHbCT2xb9x7N9w4Nv5LAyC36SySHnhfJf7J4TePXh7nlMz176mfSRLzhBa9cSVw9RafcoGM6XSbssRcBHCJLvX3nUgmqEzAewC-xRy59jdb79ObSx9hlpKclJIxll4HDPDfywRo/w640-h480/IMG_8660.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back at the hotel, the various groups compared notes. Total number of tigers spotted that day was zero. The park is believed to have 128 tigers but not even big-headed Fred had made an appearance.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't giving up. The large number of tigers in the park is a result of successful conservation efforts. Because of the burgeoning numbers, the older tigers are having a hard time competing with the younger ones for prey. Their solution is to find slower prey, naming humans and their pets, thus they have moved into the buffer zone, the area standing between the park itself and the village. </div><div><br /></div><div>I signed up for a safari of the buffer zone itself. Counterintuitively, you have better odds of spotting wildlife here than in the actual park. This is because the harvesting of the grasses is allowed and the elevated layout of the roads gives you a better vantage point into the grasses that remain. </div><div><br /></div><div>I mentioned in my earlier post that there are two distinct types of tourism in Nepal- one for westerners and one for Nepali and Indian tourists. The buffer zone is very much the realm of the local tourists. In my jeep, there was a Nepali school group and a handful of Indian visitors. The guide gave his instructions in Hindi, something that caused a lot of concerned looks in our group. I patiently awaited the translation. When it didn't come, I asked "Hey, is there anything I need to know? I saw you said something earlier." The guide explained that he was asking for the adults to sit on the outside seats with the children in the middle because of the tigers. Um. "Wait, follow up question. Do the tigers actually jump onto the jeeps?" His answer, which will forever be seared into my memory was "No no no sometimes yes". Just like that. He said it calmly and with no punctuation whatsoever. No no no sometimes yes. "What is happening in this park?!!" It was meant as a rhetorical question but of course, I got an answer. The prior evening, <a href="https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/man-dies-in-tiger-attack-in-chitwan/">a tiger had killed a man</a> in the very same area where we would be driving through. But of course he had. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I broke this news, later in the day, to the owner of the hotel, he admitted that this happened all the time. Seeing the shock on my face and realizing this isn't great for business, he quickly clarified that the tigers only eat Nepali people. Lest you believe the tigers are nationalistic snobs that require a certain amount of spice in their diet, there are plenty of instances of tigers (and rhinos and elephants and...) killing tourists, even within the town itself. However, statistically it is more likely to be locals, since they are the ones entering the park and/ or buffer zone in the dark, usually by themselves to gather firewood.</div><div><br /></div><div>As predicted, the buffer zone safari was more successful than the park one. We spotted all four species of deer (spotted, hog, sambal and barking deer), a couple of rhinos, some monkeys and yet more birds. Also zero tigers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhptVyR3uBTcsu_bX2ccjbGQt4STAijuZii1zV0kS9BJu7fz17AJ99dc9MGXFTHpVGHfqtIm1TenCx_bvZT-5K2cZZba8B6nFgPAyLRVUUdVEV32LI_sehA67E-WOtT7TdwLz80ycDxovLKgtZ2snOcwmrsXf6MsatZd3bk_JoDtTjkLtHAw8JvqjHQ1e/s4032/IMG_8668.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhptVyR3uBTcsu_bX2ccjbGQt4STAijuZii1zV0kS9BJu7fz17AJ99dc9MGXFTHpVGHfqtIm1TenCx_bvZT-5K2cZZba8B6nFgPAyLRVUUdVEV32LI_sehA67E-WOtT7TdwLz80ycDxovLKgtZ2snOcwmrsXf6MsatZd3bk_JoDtTjkLtHAw8JvqjHQ1e/w480-h640/IMG_8668.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsGhpUeSbZ6grU5YTCC71Asa3gDaaCUeQGW_wVS66tDM_YQ1Hf-2DLoLRYT0PQwGJL7j1L8UKJjKALiIkPq11XDyonImO-NUh82qUquo4fXkyCsyI5eZYa1pqhTltb3NnKExqhUW2Ux2t81vyCmRiqSd3Yso36qr8oLSRwV7auFs_VVo0hyphenhyphenrLS6xbN2eA/s4032/IMG_8676.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsGhpUeSbZ6grU5YTCC71Asa3gDaaCUeQGW_wVS66tDM_YQ1Hf-2DLoLRYT0PQwGJL7j1L8UKJjKALiIkPq11XDyonImO-NUh82qUquo4fXkyCsyI5eZYa1pqhTltb3NnKExqhUW2Ux2t81vyCmRiqSd3Yso36qr8oLSRwV7auFs_VVo0hyphenhyphenrLS6xbN2eA/w640-h480/IMG_8676.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBcIjV4OvNFn_-BcwGnNBNrMPzg7qjo91S0ysacb1JvAL1SwXZsHzT7VWqZZP9uKHx0dnLyZsHsqeQTHBmKkpx4UIyByBp-Ri5uPJ4rhNDpmB8mHM_QKY-cdR6mfH7zM8_7bu3__QfZTz4sX_URlzPdv45OcZznpP13KgSxWfM-BWZOoWK5Xot340kIJq/s4032/IMG_8681.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBcIjV4OvNFn_-BcwGnNBNrMPzg7qjo91S0ysacb1JvAL1SwXZsHzT7VWqZZP9uKHx0dnLyZsHsqeQTHBmKkpx4UIyByBp-Ri5uPJ4rhNDpmB8mHM_QKY-cdR6mfH7zM8_7bu3__QfZTz4sX_URlzPdv45OcZznpP13KgSxWfM-BWZOoWK5Xot340kIJq/w640-h480/IMG_8681.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CQkkezGAPfHJK_WOboMQy5mgcEMJ8XDiLWNWen3Y4KnWTlHDNsnLe0pJE-tALiaeyMmz9w5dyb6l1hYAuqcb46wn7XoYLnEufYcXPqHCUE3idgLnPdLBuHxHFBY2O30XuyNClITM-4r4cYTYuJWFwXq_53X8LDR1y__2Ebf5wjdj6ePZ9gSvMstpJUma/s4032/IMG_8683.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CQkkezGAPfHJK_WOboMQy5mgcEMJ8XDiLWNWen3Y4KnWTlHDNsnLe0pJE-tALiaeyMmz9w5dyb6l1hYAuqcb46wn7XoYLnEufYcXPqHCUE3idgLnPdLBuHxHFBY2O30XuyNClITM-4r4cYTYuJWFwXq_53X8LDR1y__2Ebf5wjdj6ePZ9gSvMstpJUma/w640-h480/IMG_8683.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg451iMENtJrKVeSWaj1U-DffriPx8gpJD63n1S0_r9zYf4McKwrVsL3YvHzGAV_Yo4AEFwM58FcMS199SSvDRyuijdnng_ThCCOsxVjWnz41rGMbxmka5K2PEt1PTywX3P0uiNwVFQ5Eq6EIDf4gBM2jMuxmM1OSrA3oor5E12bEJoRB-pD47-62y_8Tv4/s4032/IMG_8702.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg451iMENtJrKVeSWaj1U-DffriPx8gpJD63n1S0_r9zYf4McKwrVsL3YvHzGAV_Yo4AEFwM58FcMS199SSvDRyuijdnng_ThCCOsxVjWnz41rGMbxmka5K2PEt1PTywX3P0uiNwVFQ5Eq6EIDf4gBM2jMuxmM1OSrA3oor5E12bEJoRB-pD47-62y_8Tv4/w480-h640/IMG_8702.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Honestly, the drive through the village itself was almost more interesting than the safari. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPDTDN5mAEeJ-WaVfpiK-dmNO72JCW58Hx8A1O6G0NTuj42I-9tBIhwKOLparahF5MyTeYldbeUm8kvAR6nXFw_DUR6-_VQT6ksqIJLVtL1G6khhYWQPuOO4jM4G94CTQ04V-TGAFfYpY71d85OvDnp5URLk_xmN-EfIh-RyQt9NCGU9V1jOGE0vPlSIK/s3495/IMG_8704.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3495" data-original-width="2495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPDTDN5mAEeJ-WaVfpiK-dmNO72JCW58Hx8A1O6G0NTuj42I-9tBIhwKOLparahF5MyTeYldbeUm8kvAR6nXFw_DUR6-_VQT6ksqIJLVtL1G6khhYWQPuOO4jM4G94CTQ04V-TGAFfYpY71d85OvDnp5URLk_xmN-EfIh-RyQt9NCGU9V1jOGE0vPlSIK/w456-h640/IMG_8704.jpeg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74RlqDejdEZJEB0sTgcWgxjPl1TI2nHqkSTumxXGRzz5ne2z_NA38rqb2kN9QqkeTo6fkd4h8VF1mUgf0-CVsQ5snpKIZA68mJhznuH1wnVp0Xm_xJxRLvDO3mEuuHYBb6MYyx8dLj-5hvxXLymh_cnZBmXfOZudIczyJdNPrHfTJZI0qVrrWqoBUCVzg/s4032/IMG_8708.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74RlqDejdEZJEB0sTgcWgxjPl1TI2nHqkSTumxXGRzz5ne2z_NA38rqb2kN9QqkeTo6fkd4h8VF1mUgf0-CVsQ5snpKIZA68mJhznuH1wnVp0Xm_xJxRLvDO3mEuuHYBb6MYyx8dLj-5hvxXLymh_cnZBmXfOZudIczyJdNPrHfTJZI0qVrrWqoBUCVzg/w640-h480/IMG_8708.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-TjrQ0meT09wy5awm3P81W3jrziCZjGaMSBFSfO9OasV8pHdnIwAWnxbh8n0EVtu1yMlPK8UWNKRLs2FBsk6FD77-SzoYc_DFNficph0rn63RwuRlgK_q1DcOJoE8QOeulHl-uvTFfFR22ikLD6frnWTeD9jPh3mCUpUQ5w5zGwWKfLvZfZrLyFNCA89/s4032/IMG_8709.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-TjrQ0meT09wy5awm3P81W3jrziCZjGaMSBFSfO9OasV8pHdnIwAWnxbh8n0EVtu1yMlPK8UWNKRLs2FBsk6FD77-SzoYc_DFNficph0rn63RwuRlgK_q1DcOJoE8QOeulHl-uvTFfFR22ikLD6frnWTeD9jPh3mCUpUQ5w5zGwWKfLvZfZrLyFNCA89/w640-h480/IMG_8709.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are reportedly wild elephants within the park. However, the only ones I saw were the "domesticated" ones that are used for elephant safaris. Thankfully, this is prohibited in the park but I did see several Indian groups tormenting these poor beasts in the buffer zone.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN3LhIgYPFLKgPq3cvtJnLdqtvDmrJlBF6HkT1VEWzdDw6B5dDlMZoqWHO9nLEZf9EEzRPjggwL5eTpozJg0t4lpqf2voRAPV6BTPrYAl1GQyAAeUMwVhNBD1sSxcyrXxeYfozmNc2OWUeI9s6Jg75mGgNXUH6q6JffrKBRXH7dRdJbe82whsFh_kd8h1/s4032/IMG_8712.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN3LhIgYPFLKgPq3cvtJnLdqtvDmrJlBF6HkT1VEWzdDw6B5dDlMZoqWHO9nLEZf9EEzRPjggwL5eTpozJg0t4lpqf2voRAPV6BTPrYAl1GQyAAeUMwVhNBD1sSxcyrXxeYfozmNc2OWUeI9s6Jg75mGgNXUH6q6JffrKBRXH7dRdJbe82whsFh_kd8h1/w480-h640/IMG_8712.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bJ39wyC9l7bYuz6H9w-CFrh1zEFMS1bqO73m6mgowv4pzhlQM6s0pZj6o0okDhxkJSz-5ABYG4fn1EhD27-4AuouO8xaO7FzMBymG0wffe9KCosmlH2nyeYOoIRGVqDvsUtkXzh-oTR9dK20db0ES6lhNL0AhAoAcw-qHMcWa3yUxa3768VrfeH_ltwl/s4032/IMG_8713.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bJ39wyC9l7bYuz6H9w-CFrh1zEFMS1bqO73m6mgowv4pzhlQM6s0pZj6o0okDhxkJSz-5ABYG4fn1EhD27-4AuouO8xaO7FzMBymG0wffe9KCosmlH2nyeYOoIRGVqDvsUtkXzh-oTR9dK20db0ES6lhNL0AhAoAcw-qHMcWa3yUxa3768VrfeH_ltwl/w480-h640/IMG_8713.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My last chance at spotting the elusive feline was my tower stay. I would be staying in the middle of the jungle in a tower hotel. From this vantage point, I could see off into the distance and fall asleep to the sound of the jungle noises.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaaR7whAE4sdqz5aI2bMd2PdjR1Ncfs1BXk-ReqkO95fHQBJa-nb3I_guUptZKRmaK5OMVbn0amADVQ1kesmhh5o_2TPt3-_LCkuhLFeLj3Zj8rDCot4JwYH8Mjj4DpzXL0nbbynw6xAEtwVvIMQfNLgcn_vha9AySw72_1tfqsN_a-cchuB0bs7mLMLX/s4032/IMG_8754.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaaR7whAE4sdqz5aI2bMd2PdjR1Ncfs1BXk-ReqkO95fHQBJa-nb3I_guUptZKRmaK5OMVbn0amADVQ1kesmhh5o_2TPt3-_LCkuhLFeLj3Zj8rDCot4JwYH8Mjj4DpzXL0nbbynw6xAEtwVvIMQfNLgcn_vha9AySw72_1tfqsN_a-cchuB0bs7mLMLX/w480-h640/IMG_8754.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's a cool idea, which should be more popular than it is. On this evening, I was the only guest in the entire tower. The guide and I watched as the sunset, observing three rhinos just ambling along. In the distance, there was lone deer chilling. The guide thought he heard a tiger (or he said that just to humor me, anything is possible). As soon as it got dark, there was really nothing to see or do. The tower had electricity and running water but no wifi so I sat and knit in the middle of the jungle.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3iWW1p5Nkv6kHvWnu8Ku5fskQU5qGMBAe1Aejjm3T1GprqGhoCrCa-ay10GZu6vInNWLlaonf9wLfayNisEAAaEbFZwyGZqGr5qHlv-uDqsgaogQsTKg-hDtourEhRFKaEQRZTzJylckWMD3URuqOOGrm7X8RZBNlPjuHMumAhD8RMun7L9K5BqHc8FL/s4032/IMG_8732.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3iWW1p5Nkv6kHvWnu8Ku5fskQU5qGMBAe1Aejjm3T1GprqGhoCrCa-ay10GZu6vInNWLlaonf9wLfayNisEAAaEbFZwyGZqGr5qHlv-uDqsgaogQsTKg-hDtourEhRFKaEQRZTzJylckWMD3URuqOOGrm7X8RZBNlPjuHMumAhD8RMun7L9K5BqHc8FL/w640-h480/IMG_8732.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJ8WAMOAb1SX3YRr3OLtI4egvpITtvLkxekHaFcEJ7hRG-diuBsa7WFwwyseJk8wLuhS-1tK5BtTIFIJHSrQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWPofHfRyARYmCffcGlSopcftylAr7JpSMrccj__VX_H7ROzmLSZvG2nBz0LBeV28Wy50RhcuooI1OY0t3T8JvmBezHGx7JBlW4lleLT6wYqi_HR896bUKG-VW7AhCPIm4PhzpUKRO_MdrFKOPBVjaxsKOuJ4_m-q9ZYoU3X4mXheI7FvIwK53KmXj6u/s4032/IMG_8740.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWPofHfRyARYmCffcGlSopcftylAr7JpSMrccj__VX_H7ROzmLSZvG2nBz0LBeV28Wy50RhcuooI1OY0t3T8JvmBezHGx7JBlW4lleLT6wYqi_HR896bUKG-VW7AhCPIm4PhzpUKRO_MdrFKOPBVjaxsKOuJ4_m-q9ZYoU3X4mXheI7FvIwK53KmXj6u/w480-h640/IMG_8740.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wuptdD2cl8irmWBnTHBenPbgBz4zOJF9BRYPAPOCM7Ny0-jvtout8VQPxbOin1eTbyxyQh42J3mvWkaWJJAzb6aLfGcRhjPj4MN2ukDOuphHuM0-aXF46K131URDglWrv9uTxx3RslznH7qGcm4kza_kybdySkE4-FqDEiiuQ0DEukHTqO7gZck1b2KW/s4032/IMG_8741.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wuptdD2cl8irmWBnTHBenPbgBz4zOJF9BRYPAPOCM7Ny0-jvtout8VQPxbOin1eTbyxyQh42J3mvWkaWJJAzb6aLfGcRhjPj4MN2ukDOuphHuM0-aXF46K131URDglWrv9uTxx3RslznH7qGcm4kza_kybdySkE4-FqDEiiuQ0DEukHTqO7gZck1b2KW/w480-h640/IMG_8741.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ius8dqbs6B1ajeBUrahZLAd-n87oIpSRGJlNduI7gP0B3NSx96HMUn0gIg-djEiPvHHQue1Jmou2exF0JyTEkSqCowP2ZbWf87S7w0_2JQU4YW6_3Bygm-m8pmAjYDKZrYlau55hYDCx9l6AUSYko1c4-i-pUHDJz88Ayz0KDzAaVPCXWEsSKz8PHAl/s4032/IMG_8743.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7ius8dqbs6B1ajeBUrahZLAd-n87oIpSRGJlNduI7gP0B3NSx96HMUn0gIg-djEiPvHHQue1Jmou2exF0JyTEkSqCowP2ZbWf87S7w0_2JQU4YW6_3Bygm-m8pmAjYDKZrYlau55hYDCx9l6AUSYko1c4-i-pUHDJz88Ayz0KDzAaVPCXWEsSKz8PHAl/w640-h480/IMG_8743.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was still dark the next morning when the guide suggested we return back to the pickup spot, something that involved a 30 minute walk through the jungle. Seriously, dude? Knowing what I now knew about Chitwan, there was zero chance I was walking around in the dark. We waited until the sun came up before beginning our journey back. Along the path, he found a fresh tiger paw print in the dirt. He had been walking in the direction of the tower. Damn it, Fred. I had really hoped to see a tiger in the wild.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamqvziFE3sXhaolyexqeog8eNyjhVDxM3zlFjQnMWr4mEN-rLVtg_G00iYe3ZmfgBfpaXUiDTQlPofjYi9BmW-0q9YK_x8bU4m7aQJlaHZg-qkUkrje_zaE0hyAsswBHyu-zEPWUPgeQ0AyM15FnkqpD5Tr9gREYx7yX6O_Wrt8MmoQeNmCbpinKZVjgP/s2256/IMG_8758.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="2052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamqvziFE3sXhaolyexqeog8eNyjhVDxM3zlFjQnMWr4mEN-rLVtg_G00iYe3ZmfgBfpaXUiDTQlPofjYi9BmW-0q9YK_x8bU4m7aQJlaHZg-qkUkrje_zaE0hyAsswBHyu-zEPWUPgeQ0AyM15FnkqpD5Tr9gREYx7yX6O_Wrt8MmoQeNmCbpinKZVjgP/w582-h640/IMG_8758.jpeg" width="582" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kQptVqf34_9CLMA_iMer-60jcGzDpHZbhIUkvCf8BU44kuOgnGbfOQbUJu1AhfHHT5T9Hn_tLcFXGB9VOUK3_wNeqH8DpP_-vouhKTF_mGxe1QjLO4HfVofywi8fkmYnpwLDk2DbVQalQwcfW0bKAA9XRNK3nt86flK23NECAJb1hNDl1_0K2ZyOyhDY/s4032/IMG_8765.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kQptVqf34_9CLMA_iMer-60jcGzDpHZbhIUkvCf8BU44kuOgnGbfOQbUJu1AhfHHT5T9Hn_tLcFXGB9VOUK3_wNeqH8DpP_-vouhKTF_mGxe1QjLO4HfVofywi8fkmYnpwLDk2DbVQalQwcfW0bKAA9XRNK3nt86flK23NECAJb1hNDl1_0K2ZyOyhDY/w480-h640/IMG_8765.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Even though I hadn't seen a tiger, Chitwan had proven to be akin to an adrenaline sport. Will you make it or will you get stomped by a rhino on the way to the liquor store? Anything can happen and perhaps that is part of its charm. Is it crazy that I felt that way? To quote on the great philosophers of our times, no no no sometimes yes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf8hyphenhyphenL8l6asIAK4Gs5cskzk6kxIR_VyUXgig9OVeXOp-TLGo9N4JpSauJ0BTLxbu2XuvXqR3K6m7biArGiQtr4eZqbx9DOaoZ_Fvu83UYk2DbwLSPqhB78qnWDtOwM5am7VLfaLR_z1O3zNWVCS6XmGf4V0kkBVS6_7zqJG34vo1HVhmNYMuynjFiYXdq/s4032/IMG_8772.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf8hyphenhyphenL8l6asIAK4Gs5cskzk6kxIR_VyUXgig9OVeXOp-TLGo9N4JpSauJ0BTLxbu2XuvXqR3K6m7biArGiQtr4eZqbx9DOaoZ_Fvu83UYk2DbwLSPqhB78qnWDtOwM5am7VLfaLR_z1O3zNWVCS6XmGf4V0kkBVS6_7zqJG34vo1HVhmNYMuynjFiYXdq/w640-h480/IMG_8772.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-37266117728888372482024-01-02T14:43:00.701-05:002024-02-04T09:02:49.085-05:00Pokhara: Stunning views all day, every day<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kt8SjOqQbtVi27VO4DWCblRKZE1AkJtXNcorWTn6810jOXyzzi6_NwAzZiDpUXlnjbSMTEXc8EvYtIVx4vfZPHTKcONBY98_LZkqUVdpW5lF1hF4v8aGRPbaRUPYfl0txfStPLdOIHvKXdFEEQUUlx4XKPdfp2zBU44PRPybQyYTTgbwEkfxkpVB5jdd/s4032/IMG_8317.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kt8SjOqQbtVi27VO4DWCblRKZE1AkJtXNcorWTn6810jOXyzzi6_NwAzZiDpUXlnjbSMTEXc8EvYtIVx4vfZPHTKcONBY98_LZkqUVdpW5lF1hF4v8aGRPbaRUPYfl0txfStPLdOIHvKXdFEEQUUlx4XKPdfp2zBU44PRPybQyYTTgbwEkfxkpVB5jdd/w480-h640/IMG_8317.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When it comes to tourism, Pokhara is arguably the most popular city in Nepal. This is thanks to the fact that it is a main starting (and ending) point for Nepal's top activity: trekking. I witnessed this first hand. It was impossible to walk into a hostel, bar or restaurant without encountering hippies in teva sandals comparing base camps, guides and trying to one-up each other re: hardships encountered on their treks. <div><br /></div><div>I, myself, am not a trekker. While I do love nature and being outdoors, I am not sure-footed enough to enjoy the whole going up and down steep slippery paths thing. I was in Pokhara because it promised to be a chill lakeside city with lots of non-trekking things to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Based on these expectations, I was initially a bit frustrated. For starters, fresh off another brutal bus ride, I couldn't find the damn lake. Pokhara is much larger than my two prior Nepalese cities and while the lake is certainly visible from some parts of the city, it is not as omnipresent as I'd imagined. Add to that, my initial efforts to find things to do were proving to be pretty fruitless. Actual conversation I had at a tour agency:</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: Hi, what tours do you have tomorrow that don't involve trekking?</div><div>Agent: You can go hiking.</div><div>Me: That's just another word for trekking.</div><div>Agent: Uh... Maybe, you can just chill.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing. He was literally giving me nothing. It was enough for me to consider spending just one night and moving on to my next stop. But then I remembered the bus ride and decided to do a bit more research. I looked online and found a <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293891-d19059198-Entire_Pokhara_City_Tour_by_Sharing_Bus-Pokhara_Gandaki_Zone_Western_Region.html">highlights city tour </a> that none of the agencies had mentioned.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seemed odd that I could only find this tour online but even odder when I learned why. Apparently, there are two distinct and rarely intersecting travel ecosystems. There is the mostly white, hostel-staying, "You have to do the Annapurna Trek, dude" group that frequents the tour agencies along the main lake road. Then there are the mainly Indian/ Nepalese, we just want to take some selfies, eat some good food and chill, you can keep your mountain, thank you very much, contingent. My tour was aimed squarely at the latter. As in, all the narration was in Hindi. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, the guide recognized that she had an infiltrator amongst her group and would occasionally walk over to me to give me a brief synopsis of what was going on. We were to visit 8 points of interest and since I had sprung for the deluxe package ($20 versus $11), she would be purchasing all the admission tickets for me. I am totally comfortable in saying those were the best $9 I ever spent. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our first stop was the <a href="https://nepaltraveller.com/sidetrack/the-cave-of-gupteshwor-mahadev-pokhara">Gupteshwor Mahadev cave</a>, a sacred site much beloved by Hindu tourists. If you think its religious significance translates to a pious and solemn admission queue, think again. This was more an all out rugby scrum, with elbows flying willy-nilly. Lucky for me, the guide was little but she was mighty, squeezing her way to the front and coming out victorious with my entry ticket. This scene would repeat itself at every single stop.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXOp1o3361oZFzMhR9Y7F5cJ-2D6ZenusEzgKycUif2R_lUa8KxlswyVEVycH_I0NnG2dILHtagVkfxmszAQfvxaVKMFfBuqs-BliINDfiD1LqiqDrRDjptfe8zFMDySH4YuJ2bq81vDb_lI3tW855QjyIz17HwZtSaLQTL65GVPeFuwxxxEndfCAZU5z/s4032/IMG_8331.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXOp1o3361oZFzMhR9Y7F5cJ-2D6ZenusEzgKycUif2R_lUa8KxlswyVEVycH_I0NnG2dILHtagVkfxmszAQfvxaVKMFfBuqs-BliINDfiD1LqiqDrRDjptfe8zFMDySH4YuJ2bq81vDb_lI3tW855QjyIz17HwZtSaLQTL65GVPeFuwxxxEndfCAZU5z/w640-h480/IMG_8331.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The cave is believed to be the longest in Nepal but since only a small portion is accessible, it's chief highlight is the small temple contained within. It is possible to get a glimpse of the nearby <a href="https://visitsnepal.com/product/davis-fall/">Devi's Falls</a> from within the cave but a much better view can be had by crossing the street and going into the Falls complex itself.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwe_bGdUP1Sh5nc-n1-imN3ZOFji9Zc1D51RzL3MRcyf6-YT-_iOpH78fXwGmxPmijfgpq9ISyiE1n0sFrJPdPu7wUoEl0O1zNEKGljYz4l7Q6-i5Z7QcLT6IQuhCqz5CFvXi20nJLiqk5IFYKQlWCznWbUamLvwrUQbfcHVFJX3GDR3_rPWhXZTRLgEm/s4032/IMG_8345.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwe_bGdUP1Sh5nc-n1-imN3ZOFji9Zc1D51RzL3MRcyf6-YT-_iOpH78fXwGmxPmijfgpq9ISyiE1n0sFrJPdPu7wUoEl0O1zNEKGljYz4l7Q6-i5Z7QcLT6IQuhCqz5CFvXi20nJLiqk5IFYKQlWCznWbUamLvwrUQbfcHVFJX3GDR3_rPWhXZTRLgEm/w480-h640/IMG_8345.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkQOxnx2z-5JFVVd-5TaO50mM5FYrPX8rSzNzpulKUozbCvcYRR_fenw-aYLNLLO9-LyvqGWfRL6w3VSN-NXs6ea6gh9rKpv7yhunxflj49Afl95LURP3PyKehCwUlzd7ibBYTEYPIQ7r90EHua5QaeFVk15eGENidh6Zaf-NBL2fQjE_q3jmS7UgvS45/s4032/IMG_8351.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkQOxnx2z-5JFVVd-5TaO50mM5FYrPX8rSzNzpulKUozbCvcYRR_fenw-aYLNLLO9-LyvqGWfRL6w3VSN-NXs6ea6gh9rKpv7yhunxflj49Afl95LURP3PyKehCwUlzd7ibBYTEYPIQ7r90EHua5QaeFVk15eGENidh6Zaf-NBL2fQjE_q3jmS7UgvS45/w640-h480/IMG_8351.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In addition to the Falls, there are a couple of other attractions, including photo-friendly cutouts featuring traditional costumes. My guide was taking my photo when a curious thing happened. A guy from the group also wanted a photo, not just with the costumes but with me. This opened the photographic floodgates. There were maybe 25 people on our tour bus yet I swear I posed with at least 30 men, women and children. At every stop, they were lining up like this was the Magic Kingdom and I was Minnie Mouse. This happened to me a lot in India. I found it strange then and I find it strange now. I imagine somewhere, their friends are scrolling through Instagram, wondering who's this chick in all the pictures. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-k_FCEEQu_n_ji4lazm5Diyjy7Xdd4i-vDzIcu78_3XBAX10EKtRtsJANPzJhT2VA5LgcdYb1m6kpQR0jbHAXGTCd8IrnIm0xmT2Oer0ZDHLp7VFTtDl5uPvF36fxckT3NQ381DLL9cibGEXvV5mBO13K2CR_X3b-NOykgy0-migWNSAQ8d-bBX89Xc1/s4032/IMG_8357.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-k_FCEEQu_n_ji4lazm5Diyjy7Xdd4i-vDzIcu78_3XBAX10EKtRtsJANPzJhT2VA5LgcdYb1m6kpQR0jbHAXGTCd8IrnIm0xmT2Oer0ZDHLp7VFTtDl5uPvF36fxckT3NQ381DLL9cibGEXvV5mBO13K2CR_X3b-NOykgy0-migWNSAQ8d-bBX89Xc1/w480-h640/IMG_8357.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our next stop was <a href="https://www.altitudehimalaya.com/blog/pumdikot-pokhara-statue-of-lord-shiva">Pumdikot </a>and its giant Shiva statue. It's tough to compete with the amazing views of the mountains and Fewa Lake, yet Shiva manages to hold his own.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQLW3h9v6g6KuREK_nZfztHzkq9MI_8xUQrgtF_pHmprwJCrHBU9kzq7TnLIB3V4ZdGQ-379T1L49rRTJtmoXiKSUwEPEJE9n93UBLv2xzV_WHW9uh5ayoLNlNOU42JJiSR685rWsUInURKYtQbhFnsG8boV1uPlJAQeOlLZne1dH427KXIRSqoOzpeC0/s4032/IMG_8365.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQLW3h9v6g6KuREK_nZfztHzkq9MI_8xUQrgtF_pHmprwJCrHBU9kzq7TnLIB3V4ZdGQ-379T1L49rRTJtmoXiKSUwEPEJE9n93UBLv2xzV_WHW9uh5ayoLNlNOU42JJiSR685rWsUInURKYtQbhFnsG8boV1uPlJAQeOlLZne1dH427KXIRSqoOzpeC0/w640-h480/IMG_8365.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VPPXbqBQ5SzTP_hFSZwQmJZ5eNTH9G-5FmXzega6zry10Upur06yxEd24jwQLJu_Qo9M0lTGa-FSupKxMm1cns7BrU1oqHKoiw0cv1_n5Uo5vmyW0hgq2SH8kN-Ybb5TO9QruXbmzOty_Y4a1SX3agGudXDeiMpQ4DeDMqn99Un5hu08CNffGomE3AD6/s4032/IMG_8369.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VPPXbqBQ5SzTP_hFSZwQmJZ5eNTH9G-5FmXzega6zry10Upur06yxEd24jwQLJu_Qo9M0lTGa-FSupKxMm1cns7BrU1oqHKoiw0cv1_n5Uo5vmyW0hgq2SH8kN-Ybb5TO9QruXbmzOty_Y4a1SX3agGudXDeiMpQ4DeDMqn99Un5hu08CNffGomE3AD6/w480-h640/IMG_8369.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PZ-Py9UbkQ4TNAsQv261NEHnbDhnNdxZahCNWEC_p2rhX2-ummp_sM0KCpzBCNbcw6zPvUq4OXykrS11R2EQkMkICUecV9KxN4HZk14icbGT5zscMJ46fH0GfpFzTKpu04CmF1QutFtnAyJtNVyqG2XhMxaOsInhgqnREphQVlZjiAOMFLSw10VeYXJ-/s4032/IMG_8371.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PZ-Py9UbkQ4TNAsQv261NEHnbDhnNdxZahCNWEC_p2rhX2-ummp_sM0KCpzBCNbcw6zPvUq4OXykrS11R2EQkMkICUecV9KxN4HZk14icbGT5zscMJ46fH0GfpFzTKpu04CmF1QutFtnAyJtNVyqG2XhMxaOsInhgqnREphQVlZjiAOMFLSw10VeYXJ-/w480-h640/IMG_8371.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After a couple of minutes of not being asked for photos, I realized I did not see anyone from our group. I had lost our guide and the time to return to the bus had been only given in Hindi. Shit. I ran back to the bus, only to find it empty. Apparently, a time had been given but the group en masse had decided to ignore it and came back, most of them carrying ice cream, 30 minutes late. The more time I spent on this tour, the more I felt I belonged on the Nepali/ Indian tourism circuit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX_47Nl1XHPFW3BTOVwcOITL25HJLss_1ltW_n-N6terRUiQUCpK0Ee_2LCdliSUWKrwa2gtWCOVAoyXOvFC94Hffii_FIQlcH4NWLz-DsfpXUECr7Jp1TNQrktDPejnGWt_irj0GFIixGrB23Bb0brWhN7QZNc6ZdhENNqkLHv2A4H7KvihPrhaogybQ/s4032/IMG_8380.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX_47Nl1XHPFW3BTOVwcOITL25HJLss_1ltW_n-N6terRUiQUCpK0Ee_2LCdliSUWKrwa2gtWCOVAoyXOvFC94Hffii_FIQlcH4NWLz-DsfpXUECr7Jp1TNQrktDPejnGWt_irj0GFIixGrB23Bb0brWhN7QZNc6ZdhENNqkLHv2A4H7KvihPrhaogybQ/w640-h480/IMG_8380.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We continued on to the Shati Stupa (or the World Peace Shrine) with yet another stunning view, which should really be their national motto. Nepal: Yet another stunning view. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3P2XdXA6ZmN5Tff61Y_GazPU2nopj01YP7qBTDMwy7AbXeCuSNkfsd2LftePNvsoT32eeA913UR-bul28Cl6MVi5pBkMKGuShl6T-LaaSpUrdhJ2kNFhmBUwS8cFSXSQrAPIAFOKdn_-sADEy779sSMO__IScdoraOsbFWON1Kp0TVMQ8eNcshqH9ySf/s4032/IMG_8395.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3P2XdXA6ZmN5Tff61Y_GazPU2nopj01YP7qBTDMwy7AbXeCuSNkfsd2LftePNvsoT32eeA913UR-bul28Cl6MVi5pBkMKGuShl6T-LaaSpUrdhJ2kNFhmBUwS8cFSXSQrAPIAFOKdn_-sADEy779sSMO__IScdoraOsbFWON1Kp0TVMQ8eNcshqH9ySf/w480-h640/IMG_8395.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpOgWjsldjpcRMDi94j8OUenqM1-1II5VQ5QGf5iFZg4wRw0sppUv0VoPrRZEBjhPH9jV3S4sgzbavKdVwlYvHzQO1G_oa9llpmitjuFBZ6_70Mu6HMr2aaLzcM2jBz0iRaXPkD3u7iZUMkHntNRFpLPQw7z1OnAO03cz0J7GAsjbz41k6aUHxsSe7M7n/s4032/IMG_8400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpOgWjsldjpcRMDi94j8OUenqM1-1II5VQ5QGf5iFZg4wRw0sppUv0VoPrRZEBjhPH9jV3S4sgzbavKdVwlYvHzQO1G_oa9llpmitjuFBZ6_70Mu6HMr2aaLzcM2jBz0iRaXPkD3u7iZUMkHntNRFpLPQw7z1OnAO03cz0J7GAsjbz41k6aUHxsSe7M7n/w480-h640/IMG_8400.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2rxh8Fb1H7MgfJzggzEe-ggXTGdQRbvLJupFtDx3Cc1BoX8hQNk2gbLExFGtirTCJGEFpCIpEAnJIqVEK9FRQ6iLQ4WCPkSOEaWsksZTBj-ey0ahQfp_Y-ZutTRE61na3MU9L6PBZxeVDxRgnSXJ8iW16shFsrJx8E9Fh5i5da3G8fmh1mBttnQPt266/s4032/IMG_8402.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2rxh8Fb1H7MgfJzggzEe-ggXTGdQRbvLJupFtDx3Cc1BoX8hQNk2gbLExFGtirTCJGEFpCIpEAnJIqVEK9FRQ6iLQ4WCPkSOEaWsksZTBj-ey0ahQfp_Y-ZutTRE61na3MU9L6PBZxeVDxRgnSXJ8iW16shFsrJx8E9Fh5i5da3G8fmh1mBttnQPt266/w480-h640/IMG_8402.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Stop 5: Mahendra cave, which had some smallish stalactites and stalagmites. This would normally be kind of impressive but I saw it as just somewhere I had to go on my way to stop 6. That's because our next stop promised bats. Lots and lots of bats. Enough bats that the whole thing is known as the Bat Cave (cue the Batman theme)!</div><div><br /></div><div>As is befitting the kings of the castle, the cave is dark and damp. It is also absolutely covered with horseshoe bats. I know I have mentioned this before but I 💖 bats so hard. I was loving every second just being in there. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRDOtm4vDZaRN1KI9_eBJuo_lzRCwAGWeneSdylODt08l9O43gHWaa5ha3HZ7jcKNQJVk-SxT3wiYTDcderThj2DMD4hHzZuNSbQ5omV-CA1tcWo-TJCmvSzwbX8zdIEmkpdr5qF7onB7qk4sdZmb8qT5vTxbCrr3a-uPpt5U3dawtc15WYDn77QIWrHx/s4032/IMG_8412.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRDOtm4vDZaRN1KI9_eBJuo_lzRCwAGWeneSdylODt08l9O43gHWaa5ha3HZ7jcKNQJVk-SxT3wiYTDcderThj2DMD4hHzZuNSbQ5omV-CA1tcWo-TJCmvSzwbX8zdIEmkpdr5qF7onB7qk4sdZmb8qT5vTxbCrr3a-uPpt5U3dawtc15WYDn77QIWrHx/w480-h640/IMG_8412.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMexahTF4ZMzfpnMXzykrw5gocVzVBXURqDLdIilh-k2n_jC4r9eqY-Xc6p1PNOXXL-fuS6I4r78omoSZbCpPg9JbCmjk5CpXmCI8TlS3dmPle2WlOlTfZKXSWQ7nmILGxI90_bSA8QOXmMTL7_hIWNErwaka5VpZRsNSh35VkR2zfiHNGkpKA2iKpmaBh/s4032/IMG_8414.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMexahTF4ZMzfpnMXzykrw5gocVzVBXURqDLdIilh-k2n_jC4r9eqY-Xc6p1PNOXXL-fuS6I4r78omoSZbCpPg9JbCmjk5CpXmCI8TlS3dmPle2WlOlTfZKXSWQ7nmILGxI90_bSA8QOXmMTL7_hIWNErwaka5VpZRsNSh35VkR2zfiHNGkpKA2iKpmaBh/w480-h640/IMG_8414.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ1_LLM99zODp04232eWI4EVbuIA_UXcfzjEx2SnVUavlq4bTbz05Z7SeUk4-ZKi7FJVcTZVw0U5T2cpenMjEz0LWcFk3C92xjXko0oJIe3c57EyLyn1bhWODFjhAhYbMyJQH9suK7HsoWGxcm2f7p76T3gF0ztfS-p_3Q17a0umN-Bg3NToaEWk2jVvg/s4032/IMG_8415.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ1_LLM99zODp04232eWI4EVbuIA_UXcfzjEx2SnVUavlq4bTbz05Z7SeUk4-ZKi7FJVcTZVw0U5T2cpenMjEz0LWcFk3C92xjXko0oJIe3c57EyLyn1bhWODFjhAhYbMyJQH9suK7HsoWGxcm2f7p76T3gF0ztfS-p_3Q17a0umN-Bg3NToaEWk2jVvg/w480-h640/IMG_8415.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0efdX-qMhHuB3YypJ3OtrCUM_YU8AvnQTNhHbWy4vP27P_0vKl5LJmlBmsHffSuIxW2dHSno77e9ZImcGOQRpGUBFnJH1fx-k7Roy2iJVBV5CS-VD3SeMCdWJoqJ_tuIOwK3soBZIbyRVl41cwxf9x73-g8tTW-KdqsfaCajm_QgpOo2d5UkLDiY2dwC9/s4032/IMG_8419.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0efdX-qMhHuB3YypJ3OtrCUM_YU8AvnQTNhHbWy4vP27P_0vKl5LJmlBmsHffSuIxW2dHSno77e9ZImcGOQRpGUBFnJH1fx-k7Roy2iJVBV5CS-VD3SeMCdWJoqJ_tuIOwK3soBZIbyRVl41cwxf9x73-g8tTW-KdqsfaCajm_QgpOo2d5UkLDiY2dwC9/w480-h640/IMG_8419.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The cave itself is pretty slippery inside but the real challenge is the exit. There is a tiny hole that you can climb up to and do your best to slither out through. The belief is that only those without sin can fit through the opening. I'm going to go ahead and assume we went back out the entrance because of the school group causing a long line for the exit and not because the guide knew she had a bunch of heathens trailing behind her.</div><div><br /></div><div>Either that or we had some people with fat bodies in our midst. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhQ95d7fMWBmQTGPCoHm9PdEwZaFU4NqFiERrbpqVBUizk-JwXvuVsdw65gYiWo95F4rEia57tQ4n3nLHOswIXBj-5EcP3Y9BWPJg8TY5gnBdQnz6Eqo0HaX_DQNZRB2cI1J4qsLgamx3qU0QlX4tuPO8Rwre18RreNwAUysUbCeWxzOUbDqJ8fDcitEe/s4032/IMG_8423.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhQ95d7fMWBmQTGPCoHm9PdEwZaFU4NqFiERrbpqVBUizk-JwXvuVsdw65gYiWo95F4rEia57tQ4n3nLHOswIXBj-5EcP3Y9BWPJg8TY5gnBdQnz6Eqo0HaX_DQNZRB2cI1J4qsLgamx3qU0QlX4tuPO8Rwre18RreNwAUysUbCeWxzOUbDqJ8fDcitEe/w480-h640/IMG_8423.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Moving right along, we proceeded to the city's oldest temple, the Bindhyabasini Temple. We actually heard it before we saw it. Thanks to a wedding that was taking place at the time, there was a band marching its way up and down the street. They were jamming!! The thought of ditching the tour at this, the 7th stop and trying to crash a Nepali wedding did cross my mind but by this time, I had 25 new best friends to think of. </div><div><br /></div><div>One curious thing that I should have asked them about was the oversized bindis. The ubiquitous red dots, representing the third eye, are common in Hindu and Buddhist countries. Usually, they are small dabs of red paste. Not here, though. With all due respect, the beautiful bride looked like she had taken a handful of Smucker's strawberry jam to the forehead. At the airport, I saw bindis creeping past the hair line, with such a chunky texture that they were actively flaking off. The floor was littered with bindi droppings. Is the idea that the bigger the bindi, the holier the blessing?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYLSeVMePgWvV8JG9kjWFLtmRbFr0asJivBDCp5D6iVbKg_-52UW-VtU7Rb91_muqtzr4TnRXf-KpL3MpRnw0Nxf_u6UnhMXRNZVaL1IoHzEnFgg56xagrqO6brW3t2cmsj4Glsqn2SK9YtAbDjE4ZyFUdu_v3-Aqb5SxXdPz5P6ekFrwqNN8RvJalGnk/s4032/IMG_8425.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYLSeVMePgWvV8JG9kjWFLtmRbFr0asJivBDCp5D6iVbKg_-52UW-VtU7Rb91_muqtzr4TnRXf-KpL3MpRnw0Nxf_u6UnhMXRNZVaL1IoHzEnFgg56xagrqO6brW3t2cmsj4Glsqn2SK9YtAbDjE4ZyFUdu_v3-Aqb5SxXdPz5P6ekFrwqNN8RvJalGnk/w480-h640/IMG_8425.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WCg1TBUEhBYpRMBUyfnxa3erxTVKXk2NJIDB6suSMoHsg1Rsw9758ZmWqlClKGPl6lOsgPeHkrxCQX5PTBRfPhudyIMhLxaUbfmvJIEGcbOv2fwDFQNLPYg6afCUYYcp9VKoCgLaDIt07o5D-t8XcROSUh9Gj4GGzq26MAZYwU1AIo5yWyAQwgdALgQh/s4032/IMG_8435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WCg1TBUEhBYpRMBUyfnxa3erxTVKXk2NJIDB6suSMoHsg1Rsw9758ZmWqlClKGPl6lOsgPeHkrxCQX5PTBRfPhudyIMhLxaUbfmvJIEGcbOv2fwDFQNLPYg6afCUYYcp9VKoCgLaDIt07o5D-t8XcROSUh9Gj4GGzq26MAZYwU1AIo5yWyAQwgdALgQh/w480-h640/IMG_8435.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk3G0fk1-7mahemeDyEVfekZ9wqzDdzeCFV1LaRzDolg_pBEmHCyhzWXYU1BuWqZ49kvr13-6qjR4BfDS-uN615UT4hm0rfrhlXKfM0ZI41fMi-yTBtxFizm8ao-ZQC-E6iyMj87arj5ov0PG8YU_aEivbyixmQnQoJfwtmy8rBen20otyGHFKIc9kgEi/s4032/IMG_8440.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk3G0fk1-7mahemeDyEVfekZ9wqzDdzeCFV1LaRzDolg_pBEmHCyhzWXYU1BuWqZ49kvr13-6qjR4BfDS-uN615UT4hm0rfrhlXKfM0ZI41fMi-yTBtxFizm8ao-ZQC-E6iyMj87arj5ov0PG8YU_aEivbyixmQnQoJfwtmy8rBen20otyGHFKIc9kgEi/w480-h640/IMG_8440.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSHIiBW-UaBYTUbxA4W-xd7pfXyro_27HmCacbim3Xe9Bq79V_ujy2vfbAbXa9i4-tt1IKTxTYIyiYnBaDzFaRA60GSi-s9wsLzoKb9Q6x3B_4KnGE7TGUTdoq_txqHUMVScpWhr2d6lpERyMypOSvGyuvtFat_kccgyDwGDS84UVe7YJPAl_ibM2ARCE/s4032/IMG_8447.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSHIiBW-UaBYTUbxA4W-xd7pfXyro_27HmCacbim3Xe9Bq79V_ujy2vfbAbXa9i4-tt1IKTxTYIyiYnBaDzFaRA60GSi-s9wsLzoKb9Q6x3B_4KnGE7TGUTdoq_txqHUMVScpWhr2d6lpERyMypOSvGyuvtFat_kccgyDwGDS84UVe7YJPAl_ibM2ARCE/w480-h640/IMG_8447.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our 8th and final stop was Phewa Lake aka <i>the lake</i> in the lakeside town descriptors always attached to Pokhara. The same one that I expected to see the moment I stepped off the bus. Our guide, after a long day of wrangling cats (ie trying to get everyone back on the bus at something resembling the appointed time) and fighting for my entry tickets, pointed, said "there's the lake" and like a Vegas magician, simply vanished into thin air. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was about to do the same and say goodbye to my new buddies when someone handed me a life vest. They had hired a boat and decided that Minnie Mouse would be joining them. You don't get that kind of love on the western tour circuit!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0tGHTl5vfGZtCEQqgRBufT3H_4iTaZCf0FlogrTDDbIW58kyrz4srZ3bbdWkqcOdlt01jYVSE8y0O6goMLCo6QTQyMxS3OlEHBHv4ZtJSPLBlsvUwqtkSz5knZhu10n0-xKmXmeN1eP7FY9T65qVgT3kXNrTwYKjbPjbD15ScYIPQCcaMYjqrMMju09D/s4032/IMG_8455.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0tGHTl5vfGZtCEQqgRBufT3H_4iTaZCf0FlogrTDDbIW58kyrz4srZ3bbdWkqcOdlt01jYVSE8y0O6goMLCo6QTQyMxS3OlEHBHv4ZtJSPLBlsvUwqtkSz5knZhu10n0-xKmXmeN1eP7FY9T65qVgT3kXNrTwYKjbPjbD15ScYIPQCcaMYjqrMMju09D/w640-h480/IMG_8455.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGf-nxLgyHbFAmM_olyKdMK-U-4g193gfbE11zPIqitsXl3m4VzDWY2bcfTekndrqKE7tf7ysS5_oCvKBpXX8DeaiM3B6Iy6wkYjwHKQ55Kw-EMxtAek8TjtX5hfltJuD9OT1fJc_6_W4o5WSvwUQmiOEyJxrZxs8Osfmjc8nB-61qb0CzodUjVCHZ6UK/s4032/IMG_8457.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGf-nxLgyHbFAmM_olyKdMK-U-4g193gfbE11zPIqitsXl3m4VzDWY2bcfTekndrqKE7tf7ysS5_oCvKBpXX8DeaiM3B6Iy6wkYjwHKQ55Kw-EMxtAek8TjtX5hfltJuD9OT1fJc_6_W4o5WSvwUQmiOEyJxrZxs8Osfmjc8nB-61qb0CzodUjVCHZ6UK/w480-h640/IMG_8457.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4bWnJgfSZrfizQ1C3PUttqeMTesUBG0_OVcgoL956b5QqMPngsYswFQw31xNzNNnoSGxccs_FPze2jQ2E6-RKITUMEEluIp_S29aDC7HnsZfnVjOCrDxr2tU8_uA_HiB8hjjEdZMiDAYAF2Zgrdtl0xnLVLtXCuXRsu0AIiqZxoPIRqPF0vhu2w28KO-/s4032/IMG_8462.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4bWnJgfSZrfizQ1C3PUttqeMTesUBG0_OVcgoL956b5QqMPngsYswFQw31xNzNNnoSGxccs_FPze2jQ2E6-RKITUMEEluIp_S29aDC7HnsZfnVjOCrDxr2tU8_uA_HiB8hjjEdZMiDAYAF2Zgrdtl0xnLVLtXCuXRsu0AIiqZxoPIRqPF0vhu2w28KO-/w640-h480/IMG_8462.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa47ZE8bJG1AK95nrPE-qclZ_iy8VWiTAORjUWMS0XsuZg3rvoeOR-1fCENRZNGSwKwfGCGH159ObRT2y_Le9tQ99BLhi8AARC27j2FJ-60I5BF5bKbsYraQVF1knm7Ql_gLDwHoVtRAyiQLzkG59lvijOX0hJSfHtf8VXY8OMZFNHFeCYab39fBiCMJT/s4032/IMG_8474.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa47ZE8bJG1AK95nrPE-qclZ_iy8VWiTAORjUWMS0XsuZg3rvoeOR-1fCENRZNGSwKwfGCGH159ObRT2y_Le9tQ99BLhi8AARC27j2FJ-60I5BF5bKbsYraQVF1knm7Ql_gLDwHoVtRAyiQLzkG59lvijOX0hJSfHtf8VXY8OMZFNHFeCYab39fBiCMJT/w640-h480/IMG_8474.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_joHfJMKUiJlCFJoVROCyWa7-p0p1dyE1J3TVYOJTXuqz1eimqQqMtW9nb8AUFRN1HxaDvySMrsBW-FoDUH0R8WiUTJ6syAUVTUZ1RqBnOviUX7QAmlUJ94MjD7CU1szkiVN8MJPaDSy2QEFFWEfEhbdhL9XUZU-DCuOpi-JVToQfRLofFxhM4a3mKOSI/s4032/IMG_8476.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_joHfJMKUiJlCFJoVROCyWa7-p0p1dyE1J3TVYOJTXuqz1eimqQqMtW9nb8AUFRN1HxaDvySMrsBW-FoDUH0R8WiUTJ6syAUVTUZ1RqBnOviUX7QAmlUJ94MjD7CU1szkiVN8MJPaDSy2QEFFWEfEhbdhL9XUZU-DCuOpi-JVToQfRLofFxhM4a3mKOSI/w480-h640/IMG_8476.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After an initially rough start, my first full day in Pokhara had been a rousing success. The following day was Thanksgiving back home. Even in the most fantastic of places, it always sucks a bit to be away from family during the holidays. To make up for it, I decided to splurge and go parasailing. I'd done it once in Venezuela, loved it and figured it would be even better surrounded by the Himalayas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was ok. You drive up to a hill, wait along with a bunch of fellow parasailers and when it's your turn, do an awkward run off the hill, while attached to your instructor. As I mentioned earlier, there are no bad views in Nepal and soaring above it all, you are certainly guaranteed to get more than your share. But...it kind of felt like this area, flying above some rice paddies with no snow-capped mountains in sight was not the most ideal location for this particular adventure. The whole thing lasts about 15 minutes and at $94 isn't really the best bang for your buck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PXkMdWKOoZPggCEuiDHr6Dbh9gqkHnRJqv-jSKS-afv9mTbQ09l423sYCYM0hUj3rRZTTfjvDx6NfZvREC_r8UG0Z4FUVfi1sRuCv24HAB7d3YFJPb8NNF9UyTH2AmkYJtfElPo1Sqmty0XYkLp5i97OtmOS0ToU5f7vq2I_VoUOIMSiCG7huSbvHE1R/s3648/G0016842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PXkMdWKOoZPggCEuiDHr6Dbh9gqkHnRJqv-jSKS-afv9mTbQ09l423sYCYM0hUj3rRZTTfjvDx6NfZvREC_r8UG0Z4FUVfi1sRuCv24HAB7d3YFJPb8NNF9UyTH2AmkYJtfElPo1Sqmty0XYkLp5i97OtmOS0ToU5f7vq2I_VoUOIMSiCG7huSbvHE1R/w480-h640/G0016842.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBICq9_oEndq-SzchWXwdJrS0kQ-fW202OeGD7lQt4MKJyMWf9t7Nm4HQQsEI5rF_KGjZOhS4WOIGcuzNkyGJAHlhmKapV87vp08Hu_O6qVT4DXiF4bZX0AWCgV5M1J0XphtmwW4gJcrAm_aRCIm-MO7dZo4kbhms9TjSRt0VvhVwFS7B7_2aeOPOL3PU/s3648/G0016857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBICq9_oEndq-SzchWXwdJrS0kQ-fW202OeGD7lQt4MKJyMWf9t7Nm4HQQsEI5rF_KGjZOhS4WOIGcuzNkyGJAHlhmKapV87vp08Hu_O6qVT4DXiF4bZX0AWCgV5M1J0XphtmwW4gJcrAm_aRCIm-MO7dZo4kbhms9TjSRt0VvhVwFS7B7_2aeOPOL3PU/w640-h480/G0016857.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMheQRHmx2F7Uh8gT-eVM4vd-FQaiyMqlGIWP0snEaCzNzgFtCdPBJhxUtyMlI0CS3-Ud9VOCRdj3gIyo9UsbZDUjaQ0fj4uC3VOL80RLV2SGbFzhfE-vZ-0FJqPsLCl_T5GINbK2KwfAXQSi2OBlebD20tOZ55dz5BtccNp2TtScsOEmNFmVAhQp10r9Q/s3648/G0016866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMheQRHmx2F7Uh8gT-eVM4vd-FQaiyMqlGIWP0snEaCzNzgFtCdPBJhxUtyMlI0CS3-Ud9VOCRdj3gIyo9UsbZDUjaQ0fj4uC3VOL80RLV2SGbFzhfE-vZ-0FJqPsLCl_T5GINbK2KwfAXQSi2OBlebD20tOZ55dz5BtccNp2TtScsOEmNFmVAhQp10r9Q/w480-h640/G0016866.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECYg90iAiVLdYfhAojowSFZUcTTjWBoy6VlKSOSqkE_fKwQFJkssZWETizvBdcoyn9pq7c1OH3j3-YGcdtdGuoaAEifKZnA7JO_dLYKFMJSSYElU7HJX7FeVphw9ufG-2Tc60ItKu68g-IsVPKTa_OEEsJ8U_jkfYoHgxk0HnvLOa6NGJv8p7PJEl4G4C/s3648/G0036934.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECYg90iAiVLdYfhAojowSFZUcTTjWBoy6VlKSOSqkE_fKwQFJkssZWETizvBdcoyn9pq7c1OH3j3-YGcdtdGuoaAEifKZnA7JO_dLYKFMJSSYElU7HJX7FeVphw9ufG-2Tc60ItKu68g-IsVPKTa_OEEsJ8U_jkfYoHgxk0HnvLOa6NGJv8p7PJEl4G4C/w480-h640/G0036934.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7KHshGVgZQBPUolQaPh0R85mqdF2ngjSR8rNUXktPQ299rs1M3K48pMjJSDovbtmHOjiEwtv3sqf80Q6m_266ebI08pNLXWrE_spES08OahgCmkbLBn4xv1omPWqTPL3M_YhZdlQiWxL8CofZWB8ZLncjwNadmkbec9AudslJrBChlYOrkf55OKDrg-a/s3648/G0036937.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7KHshGVgZQBPUolQaPh0R85mqdF2ngjSR8rNUXktPQ299rs1M3K48pMjJSDovbtmHOjiEwtv3sqf80Q6m_266ebI08pNLXWrE_spES08OahgCmkbLBn4xv1omPWqTPL3M_YhZdlQiWxL8CofZWB8ZLncjwNadmkbec9AudslJrBChlYOrkf55OKDrg-a/w480-h640/G0036937.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I did get some cool photos and managed to cement my "most extra aunt" title with a Thanksgiving greeting video, so all in all, I've had worse afternoons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pvEeQfNtEao" width="320" youtube-src-id="pvEeQfNtEao"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The prior day, while boating, I saw there was as temple situated in the middle of the lake. Since the rest of my day was free, I returned to check it out. It was small but charming and boasted some of the best real estate in town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BmFXAWyhuRmeOiBNCGGPyAx_P0EuxmojU6xq5VmjIfbIZS7qJieEAbe-RLaRV4ookg5ixBL_G5-gdvEm9w0Tbx6hx83RoecHGbd06KrZVZCTcj5wYyAHxnQSbutz1Zw8kmodPOVVt5Njfsr2_ZEAT2MFS3bl39e9g7kZmMrrx1-9lNhYgjucFxre_5VL/s4032/IMG_8482.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BmFXAWyhuRmeOiBNCGGPyAx_P0EuxmojU6xq5VmjIfbIZS7qJieEAbe-RLaRV4ookg5ixBL_G5-gdvEm9w0Tbx6hx83RoecHGbd06KrZVZCTcj5wYyAHxnQSbutz1Zw8kmodPOVVt5Njfsr2_ZEAT2MFS3bl39e9g7kZmMrrx1-9lNhYgjucFxre_5VL/w640-h480/IMG_8482.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KILOA-_WrO6Z5fK_G3viI3FQxw_Om0KzHDAmzi6SiYt3CGY965lZWhCaAT2cYKGvHEMKV3qn2hhwo7rx0r4DTHjs40lW5rCUztOIW4x7lDGEE6nFi8a_t1W7e4j3IwbCNPijV4UzCYxvs9LjvIsrmxRxhjGtZmRPSN7sowiB2PSdwwbZtbXQdexb0eI8/s4032/IMG_8487.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KILOA-_WrO6Z5fK_G3viI3FQxw_Om0KzHDAmzi6SiYt3CGY965lZWhCaAT2cYKGvHEMKV3qn2hhwo7rx0r4DTHjs40lW5rCUztOIW4x7lDGEE6nFi8a_t1W7e4j3IwbCNPijV4UzCYxvs9LjvIsrmxRxhjGtZmRPSN7sowiB2PSdwwbZtbXQdexb0eI8/w480-h640/IMG_8487.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back on the mainland, I hit up a couple of lakeside bars, leading me to one of the more interesting mens' room signs I've come across.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBD_YnwinkQe0Kgg5QB4r1zcFGOT4EDlwxhctCjwRd7V7mSntPskVU8N0KgTO3FRBbhzf9sfKU3xEI1j8vYhd4peROxlFmSD-tkX5CDEzzNamfE43jpRIXp2K3HXggqe62dhRupvlbIhjn5CQE4RfiaG0Vgt909-XOIHsT6PwOBXr6jK42TRJ0yEkQjGQ/s4032/IMG_8479.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBD_YnwinkQe0Kgg5QB4r1zcFGOT4EDlwxhctCjwRd7V7mSntPskVU8N0KgTO3FRBbhzf9sfKU3xEI1j8vYhd4peROxlFmSD-tkX5CDEzzNamfE43jpRIXp2K3HXggqe62dhRupvlbIhjn5CQE4RfiaG0Vgt909-XOIHsT6PwOBXr6jK42TRJ0yEkQjGQ/w640-h480/IMG_8479.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rs stands for Rupees, the local currency. So fellas, what's it gonna be? We paying for a short or long one?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somewhere between the bar hopping and a pretty amazing sizzling tofu and mashed potatoes Thanksgiving dinner, the spirit of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" kicked in. I had seen all the major sites in town, I had willingly run off of a hill, I had boated around the lake. Twice. The only thing left to do was to go trekking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSXBBaYygh_V02-2bZ4Q815DiB7kFnZPgTCrm178_CSLNbnuqpN-kAVDAkw8S-WA1iFurC2ATrW2u6V1KVYA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No way was I doing the multi-day slogs I kept hearing about. The Australian base camp hike, clocking in at a couple of hours and widely considered to be one of the easier ones seemed like a good choice. So the next morning, I set off with a driver and guide to the starting point for my trek in the Himalayas. Yes, I was doing this. I was actually trekking in the damn Himalayas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dq9sad4iPsYBdnenPJ4xjpZZb_5s-wF_EIp742rayLksYrunCdkvMnC_QQ18Tp_lnExAecO8I_pGtRsh5Qr1Q8nKnR35HQYFK692Pqz0w7qaDY0orWqX2vEY1KfhtDQ-NWkerY0HeclLoZmvU4uwBI1gHBLoLh1wBGKD4HFDZ5tLZ4zjm7GjAVizYMb8/s4032/IMG_8501.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dq9sad4iPsYBdnenPJ4xjpZZb_5s-wF_EIp742rayLksYrunCdkvMnC_QQ18Tp_lnExAecO8I_pGtRsh5Qr1Q8nKnR35HQYFK692Pqz0w7qaDY0orWqX2vEY1KfhtDQ-NWkerY0HeclLoZmvU4uwBI1gHBLoLh1wBGKD4HFDZ5tLZ4zjm7GjAVizYMb8/w480-h640/IMG_8501.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>First observation, the Nepali definition of "easy" and mine have zero convergence point. I can best assume that when they say a hike is easy, they mean that it doesn't require ropes, crampons or any kind of advanced climbing skills. Personally, I consider an easy hike to be one that doesn't have hundreds and hundreds of steps at 3,000+ feet elevation. </div><div><br /></div><div>While not technically difficult, nothing about this was easy. I was huffing and puffing like cigarette-addicted dragon on a runaway treadmill. I wasn't alone. There was a young, very fit looking couple alternating between being behind and ahead of us, as we took turns stopping to catch our breaths. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKmIbZ97EO68Z46VOxWOF11TUPvQx8w9aeC7WxzqxSPNNkSPyAEVad6aHkwioaUwr0g-AdC7dxAlB509cg3xsrW-Le-45N8lLJLIPOZMfXBpqXFtTem38e4EwIuIxxbZIGohbA-rRvIj-Qu5tzs5NHUDSPid9R64yUy9x8lwJR_gooVrVgwO7-PGB6Sav/s4032/IMG_8502.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKmIbZ97EO68Z46VOxWOF11TUPvQx8w9aeC7WxzqxSPNNkSPyAEVad6aHkwioaUwr0g-AdC7dxAlB509cg3xsrW-Le-45N8lLJLIPOZMfXBpqXFtTem38e4EwIuIxxbZIGohbA-rRvIj-Qu5tzs5NHUDSPid9R64yUy9x8lwJR_gooVrVgwO7-PGB6Sav/w480-h640/IMG_8502.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigptYEs4j79BY2pMotSDwZKLN-vBKHvq-2kV0ZbgmLSTTQqO3KGYuRipUfHDfTMJpx54PlHfv6OHf03-NoI9wOEwiALWj0El2zNN3enb7LY4I5NSUTVXdoCgLEK1CG6s7ulPzsJdjnYq9AnOX4VRQ5pQU94rb3V_cuO8xSjhTx_5ThYPWdGIEhUm8j7HTx/s4032/IMG_8504.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigptYEs4j79BY2pMotSDwZKLN-vBKHvq-2kV0ZbgmLSTTQqO3KGYuRipUfHDfTMJpx54PlHfv6OHf03-NoI9wOEwiALWj0El2zNN3enb7LY4I5NSUTVXdoCgLEK1CG6s7ulPzsJdjnYq9AnOX4VRQ5pQU94rb3V_cuO8xSjhTx_5ThYPWdGIEhUm8j7HTx/w640-h480/IMG_8504.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirck125vJmiVv3hK7k5ZJQf6np_TAVntHXd4ZlqKuIpn03guTmPcMqvaq2AVTkc8uHB80WFZqZy39I0iCWYHSnjrG2yEAEhH068mHfAGV3rypnoYNBdZrSRfhqSMo8u-Fcsu_Py5ia_EF2YgdahDJt_NO6ZT8XRxiQ8puSdxc2et6-qO5elvRGG7akYL7q/s4032/IMG_8506.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirck125vJmiVv3hK7k5ZJQf6np_TAVntHXd4ZlqKuIpn03guTmPcMqvaq2AVTkc8uHB80WFZqZy39I0iCWYHSnjrG2yEAEhH068mHfAGV3rypnoYNBdZrSRfhqSMo8u-Fcsu_Py5ia_EF2YgdahDJt_NO6ZT8XRxiQ8puSdxc2et6-qO5elvRGG7akYL7q/w480-h640/IMG_8506.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0djXnpixPnHFheIFCiG1zQaWPtVPB1y2Qt1VaFq6UxFVH_UZLg71qft9IpYjyjsrCF0xVezKAzyTwYgv3GFMKR1vXL3C4qt-7BjEf28iqdqtwarbkUakcjAvSKJjm5A6X_hFHvI17XqpZC55Qn1-MJcrJHdoDnqx62aP0GVQiFi1SsnYRUARE_Q6H11-/s4032/IMG_8507.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0djXnpixPnHFheIFCiG1zQaWPtVPB1y2Qt1VaFq6UxFVH_UZLg71qft9IpYjyjsrCF0xVezKAzyTwYgv3GFMKR1vXL3C4qt-7BjEf28iqdqtwarbkUakcjAvSKJjm5A6X_hFHvI17XqpZC55Qn1-MJcrJHdoDnqx62aP0GVQiFi1SsnYRUARE_Q6H11-/w480-h640/IMG_8507.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Second observation. I had a totally mistaken notion of what a base camp was. I imagined it was the most basic of campgrounds, where trekkers would shiver like chihuahuas in their tents all night long. Maybe that is the case in some of the camps but not in this one. This was an adorable little town, with a number of hotels, stores and wifi better than you get at most airports. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqQ4HGriKuo6KXo-ZNbIdR0bJBpBHHEaMmMOBmnTO_aEklCiiWlaI9Py34kieMTsOsSUxkC8bPJvr4KiU4eh6mxnfuaWlhfM_1jp2HsCBXsw-4nLhSvLFS4Uv4LPot0xvlEkdtojYVIxTVJa1YmaSzfX9sJ1ngqoO4rGtg8eWutFmqKVwlra98Po5H9ON/s4032/IMG_8514.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqQ4HGriKuo6KXo-ZNbIdR0bJBpBHHEaMmMOBmnTO_aEklCiiWlaI9Py34kieMTsOsSUxkC8bPJvr4KiU4eh6mxnfuaWlhfM_1jp2HsCBXsw-4nLhSvLFS4Uv4LPot0xvlEkdtojYVIxTVJa1YmaSzfX9sJ1ngqoO4rGtg8eWutFmqKVwlra98Po5H9ON/w640-h480/IMG_8514.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Had I known this, I would have signed up for the overnight option. This was the coolest mini-village. One of the bars even promised live music!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5eK7ULd8lUDDDRXkLpgtutKA-OhRUQN8yKFcfEMdolGpb7jpP5_LQCUYI4BAy5aGAz8FZ9Ys0SIsqloBgw_f1WoYICbazcuS0Pn5qMZSaStdC4C_DwrVjqlynjWapsyO3RCvetk8ST_DkUh8rl_t6f2Yh_RdShy0Ndlg5PFvDc05WuhRUA6NAQTtVDtW/s4032/IMG_8524.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5eK7ULd8lUDDDRXkLpgtutKA-OhRUQN8yKFcfEMdolGpb7jpP5_LQCUYI4BAy5aGAz8FZ9Ys0SIsqloBgw_f1WoYICbazcuS0Pn5qMZSaStdC4C_DwrVjqlynjWapsyO3RCvetk8ST_DkUh8rl_t6f2Yh_RdShy0Ndlg5PFvDc05WuhRUA6NAQTtVDtW/w480-h640/IMG_8524.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOHh_8p5o4Tu5rMKQ0sYuNpc5MM9PmGdX1JLZ3TGtOPWBjTf5aCcMav4PtiwhxkDpgQEsa4kjTz1Q8tUdul9gwLQJndqRtBOo-4ZpglRl3boImm4jNxkI6Ldg4Yc2erQHnh_ASUhxkLVZn028MniCo3dgseLl3mHLI4aLGPI-uVRM9dupNZEFxwYtYX91/s4032/IMG_8527.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOHh_8p5o4Tu5rMKQ0sYuNpc5MM9PmGdX1JLZ3TGtOPWBjTf5aCcMav4PtiwhxkDpgQEsa4kjTz1Q8tUdul9gwLQJndqRtBOo-4ZpglRl3boImm4jNxkI6Ldg4Yc2erQHnh_ASUhxkLVZn028MniCo3dgseLl3mHLI4aLGPI-uVRM9dupNZEFxwYtYX91/w480-h640/IMG_8527.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jxeL9rBGXmo1Jq2Tm1TBLUJpOv0mCIGvsY8ccxvVHRDOO6zIt3E0yB5Vz8_hk5KDXIyr4GMmvxYq_EfZsuNO6QUhjPK0dVdmX6WFudTCKydZx_wh7HshViQjEPgGv3t6aUzrEWb2rTV1xJ_B9OI0I7zMy5SQ9wGinm-DeP-b1oyl2f1YxXvk9EOPI9_U/s4032/IMG_8530.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jxeL9rBGXmo1Jq2Tm1TBLUJpOv0mCIGvsY8ccxvVHRDOO6zIt3E0yB5Vz8_hk5KDXIyr4GMmvxYq_EfZsuNO6QUhjPK0dVdmX6WFudTCKydZx_wh7HshViQjEPgGv3t6aUzrEWb2rTV1xJ_B9OI0I7zMy5SQ9wGinm-DeP-b1oyl2f1YxXvk9EOPI9_U/w640-h480/IMG_8530.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Instead, we just grabbed a beer and hung out for awhile. The initial plan was to continue trekking to the next base camp and then back to the road. The guide, who had already determined that this was not a great idea, explained that we would be looking at the same view, just from a different angle. Stunning as that view was, I was done with my trekking adventure. (Note: I should point out that when I researched it later, everyone else that offered this 2 base camp tour divided it into a two days, with an overnight at the Australian camp. Why the travel agent who knew I wanted an easy day thought to plan for both in one afternoon is beyond me.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawhBJobQOPfi_ODvGQDP4TdWQ6T6qNRIYApWVA0dhOQJwn41qyIG9ZYQ43HFhDdice7CieAz2rBiaVRyNMvlMEcnniMkJhf1YiBGd-e5CdSxYhFM54lE64D-jru0LDpxwYBzI390qjjeGtEq5maJp9tIWd4U4Vj0y3hHiE57qIOVT3sOtwbiVchoyvZ1a/s4032/IMG_8536.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawhBJobQOPfi_ODvGQDP4TdWQ6T6qNRIYApWVA0dhOQJwn41qyIG9ZYQ43HFhDdice7CieAz2rBiaVRyNMvlMEcnniMkJhf1YiBGd-e5CdSxYhFM54lE64D-jru0LDpxwYBzI390qjjeGtEq5maJp9tIWd4U4Vj0y3hHiE57qIOVT3sOtwbiVchoyvZ1a/w480-h640/IMG_8536.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw_u3oneRQtfttBJflWTwU3wJlJwaYLFFdcc-tbdBlpniD0E3UEAhyphenhyphenqcyhTqnxJDGQW_YqhLG6LEccjsOghgzUD4_Zhyk_SJYB60KwMCTUqSYhyFemGI7vRcCn3NCofDDtdUiAcdhUmSJ3_deP7dTBdkSj53SIAf_OovvAW6ga8-Tkq5xOakyODkV1bgx/s4032/IMG_8548.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw_u3oneRQtfttBJflWTwU3wJlJwaYLFFdcc-tbdBlpniD0E3UEAhyphenhyphenqcyhTqnxJDGQW_YqhLG6LEccjsOghgzUD4_Zhyk_SJYB60KwMCTUqSYhyFemGI7vRcCn3NCofDDtdUiAcdhUmSJ3_deP7dTBdkSj53SIAf_OovvAW6ga8-Tkq5xOakyODkV1bgx/w480-h640/IMG_8548.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I wondered how this fully functioning town got their supplies. How are all that food, beer and souvenir t-shirts getting up those millions of little steps. On our way back down, I got my answer. Not only were sherpas lugging up multi-packs off toilet paper up to the camp, there was even a group of guys carting up major components of a brand new internet router. After seeing this, it would not surprise me if you told me you could get your Amazon deliveries up there. Spartan campsite, my ass. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkJChlNusQMPOofnalPeKPwztrHtfaaW_rN3x1VdajE0F1QJQbgBJsioAejO5Ef0I_TO-S7p5jec0mc7BuOigA6P4DCIdbV7hfcCESO5xllL1Aw8h40wXWNYnOlZLJf7AdI9cPwPFfNSVp86DPAIVhMZrYygVzDRh2UmddKV9l35NCZeyddF0ZqKPGf10/s3567/IMG_8551.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3567" data-original-width="2675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkJChlNusQMPOofnalPeKPwztrHtfaaW_rN3x1VdajE0F1QJQbgBJsioAejO5Ef0I_TO-S7p5jec0mc7BuOigA6P4DCIdbV7hfcCESO5xllL1Aw8h40wXWNYnOlZLJf7AdI9cPwPFfNSVp86DPAIVhMZrYygVzDRh2UmddKV9l35NCZeyddF0ZqKPGf10/w480-h640/IMG_8551.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztQ1v1Cv3e9VDsT1kcQ1wwpLg5xedM5yumky5UP0cnhggz5LhoFSi-iDxELMYKe2vUBZGZFwL1Xix28Kj3Lg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREpwd1fuUdCUlLT5Y-c6KQFHQQXXMKtMfZ4iYQYfKtobE3Cx-QfOO-8DnvDcnDbB-bDciC1RxUX5Uv1Xx3GUzrDn8VUzab-r-aBggOYEA3sNHoTF3qdmfaUwxd6Zlrw2BCk7ka_Cd4VPsOtglGyJ1z3PQh_cBZ7-ragOXR3v5g5nr2aQU6xQcLz0RR3zM/s4032/IMG_8559.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREpwd1fuUdCUlLT5Y-c6KQFHQQXXMKtMfZ4iYQYfKtobE3Cx-QfOO-8DnvDcnDbB-bDciC1RxUX5Uv1Xx3GUzrDn8VUzab-r-aBggOYEA3sNHoTF3qdmfaUwxd6Zlrw2BCk7ka_Cd4VPsOtglGyJ1z3PQh_cBZ7-ragOXR3v5g5nr2aQU6xQcLz0RR3zM/w480-h640/IMG_8559.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in town, I was regretting my choice to not spend the night at the Australian camp. Around the same time I got a text from the owner of the agency that put together the first day's tour. He had been repeatedly messaging me, offering his services. I suspect this was because he didn't get a whole lot of westerners and was looking to expand his reach. He suggested I take a tour to Sarangkot, a hilltop village, to watch the sunset. By this point in my travels, I had seen plenty of sunrises and sunsets and didn't want to pay $25 to see another one. He dropped the price to $20, I realized I had no other plans for the evening so Sarangkot, it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blah, blah, blah...more amazing views....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXuscUoRVPiggjwUBZu71bslgIro2ROnUHWC2tETjH2ibwvC05H7cMs2VHk099O77lqQh8jjFOxQoEfJDbwf2wwWk9KW8m6L6BSzSOn6fDk73xAHuEP_Ie-ErMoRTmbAuL2OE8D_Um8_PQHZQURbCABLixXSwzsTOV1FL-ys60k4FLS2wMOQq7yO76w01/s4032/IMG_8575.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXuscUoRVPiggjwUBZu71bslgIro2ROnUHWC2tETjH2ibwvC05H7cMs2VHk099O77lqQh8jjFOxQoEfJDbwf2wwWk9KW8m6L6BSzSOn6fDk73xAHuEP_Ie-ErMoRTmbAuL2OE8D_Um8_PQHZQURbCABLixXSwzsTOV1FL-ys60k4FLS2wMOQq7yO76w01/w640-h480/IMG_8575.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">But then the absolute highlight of time in Pokhara happened. Sitting atop this hill, I was firmly back on the Indian/ Nepali tourist track. I was sitting on a bench, having a beer, when a young girl approached and asked if I was by myself. It was clear that she had been sent over by a member of the multi-generational family that was gathered nearby. When I said I was, she grabbed my hand and led me over to the group. I assumed it was one of the guys that had sent her over but as we hung out, it dawned on me that it may have been the matriarch of the group who had orchestrated this. I tried chatting with her but no matter how hard I tried, I could not get her to crack a smile. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdTtT8tNMS4bk5LBGffT907KEWS5-4eRKwFIed1UkKITHszmUXozAkZDkvnKg78nRYv51blDcreP0I41GJXZ89vPMnogTOVqN7yip0219wT2H3KEz8akkq4k3AF60LO4mE8JF59l8RoTljNEQaIajFN_dM23KuInpsJXq0FGiZja4R5skv7WSVzUI01fG/s4032/IMG_8571.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdTtT8tNMS4bk5LBGffT907KEWS5-4eRKwFIed1UkKITHszmUXozAkZDkvnKg78nRYv51blDcreP0I41GJXZ89vPMnogTOVqN7yip0219wT2H3KEz8akkq4k3AF60LO4mE8JF59l8RoTljNEQaIajFN_dM23KuInpsJXq0FGiZja4R5skv7WSVzUI01fG/w480-h640/IMG_8571.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is until someone decided to turn the party up a notch and turn on some music. The same little girl once again grabbed my hand and led me to the dance circle. I happily ceded control over to her. I had already joined in on some local dances in Bandipur, I could do this. Or at least I thought I could. The previously stoic matriarch took one look at my moves and began giggling uncontrollably. It was such pure joy from somewhere deep inside her. I playfully tried to defend myself, demanding we try salsa next, but inside I was absolutely delighted at this unexpected turn of events. No matter how cool an overnight at the base camp may have been, no way would it have been 'dance with a Nepalese family and make grandma laugh with total abandon' cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jxxp3nzwoJ4" width="320" youtube-src-id="Jxxp3nzwoJ4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was enough to make me grateful I had not followed through on my initial idea to just ditch Pokhara. It was also a great reminder that sometimes you just need to look a little deeper. Sure, the trekking thing is not and will never be my scene, but the unexpected introduction into the local tourism scene had totally rocked and made my time in this backpacker haven truly unforgettable. </div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-41836696142907960382023-12-11T13:08:00.091-05:002024-01-18T11:15:15.684-05:00I heart Bandipur (but Google Maps most certainly does not)<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCIOak2WUsXnYrjOGqTNdltEQmATofWJTG3aIXBtZEQFgGUxZKby172or04p_RIwXiX92NpY7-n8INGVa3Q99Mw_B1RRjRVpwFZQ-36u7lMSHzTnRL4yzO4F7-K-bYiUlsbWjIQfoAfG9u89o7rgiCg9Jh0o_0UF7YXN96kMgOQK3gEXMisXx9oCZrxd4/s4032/IMG_8313.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCIOak2WUsXnYrjOGqTNdltEQmATofWJTG3aIXBtZEQFgGUxZKby172or04p_RIwXiX92NpY7-n8INGVa3Q99Mw_B1RRjRVpwFZQ-36u7lMSHzTnRL4yzO4F7-K-bYiUlsbWjIQfoAfG9u89o7rgiCg9Jh0o_0UF7YXN96kMgOQK3gEXMisXx9oCZrxd4/w640-h480/IMG_8313.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If someone told you that you would be traveling a little under 100 miles between cities, how long would you expect that bus ride to be? Factor in a stop or two, perhaps some traffic and 2 hours seems like a fair guess. How does 6 hours sound? Because yes, that is how long the soul-jostling ride between Bhaktapur and Bandipur actually took. The reason, which I had been warned about but one has to live it to fully appreciate it, is the main "road" connecting the two. It is, and I can not stress this enough, not an actual road. It is a dirt path, full of potholes and mounds of dirt that rival Everest herself. It is beset by construction crews, detours, traffic and roughly one million motorcycles . You want to know how rough the ride is? Just sitting on the bus, minding my own business, I was getting tossed around so much that my watch thought I was working out. We weren't halfway through the journey and I had already closed out all my rings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The contrast with my next destination couldn't have been starker. Bandipur is what would happen if Epcot were to open up a Nepalese pavillion. This pristine little town manages to hit all the highlights. Stunning views of the Himalayas? Check. Charming town square with beautifully restored Newari architecture. Check. Nightly bands and dancers doing traditional dances in the square. Check (at least on the 2 nights I was there, I may have just lucked out). Accessible day trek with marvelous scenery. Let me get back to you on that one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Getting off the hell bus and into the lovely <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hotel.aagaman/">Aagaman Hotel</a> was like walking into a warm hug. The family owned and run hotel makes every person walking through the doors feel family. While her husband carried my bags to the room, Sashi set about pointing out all the towns highlights and offering her recommendations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First and foremost was the aforementioned square. It is closed off to traffic, making it an ideal place to stroll and take in the general chill vibe of the city. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N_1uQGDLtAYAKYEMEJu7k_m9pLZ2NU3qpgzZoW6TGj1lBqnf90CtNHNpaZgWXntKB4pSAD6Vpj26XyitmMA9ZpQ7Vjy_1HAHOlDXOexpi_XcEUOuPucY7H-KYRFCfZz1CXR6Q5XHnfUwMJitDzmvNNWbsdbVjQyHzQbtdqrmu6QnQzsXQ4ld94TfB4gb/s4032/IMG_8128.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N_1uQGDLtAYAKYEMEJu7k_m9pLZ2NU3qpgzZoW6TGj1lBqnf90CtNHNpaZgWXntKB4pSAD6Vpj26XyitmMA9ZpQ7Vjy_1HAHOlDXOexpi_XcEUOuPucY7H-KYRFCfZz1CXR6Q5XHnfUwMJitDzmvNNWbsdbVjQyHzQbtdqrmu6QnQzsXQ4ld94TfB4gb/w640-h480/IMG_8128.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHx9jPRl6mEEjbHPeLmM6seGpCPuohtEQEi5E12jUj-QrsEXDMsMXvu-QC4MUWxKppqv8hmJdK916z2-S87HW7FzmoAAvBCMRU97W59ZUVzDmayAoLsKhyZmJ6CPsvSRHOENmjLixQJdEgsYZF6th0eOrgSGwLpCbOFbGbZ4l5Jh4OAv5NwGgor87Gy_9/s4032/IMG_8131.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHx9jPRl6mEEjbHPeLmM6seGpCPuohtEQEi5E12jUj-QrsEXDMsMXvu-QC4MUWxKppqv8hmJdK916z2-S87HW7FzmoAAvBCMRU97W59ZUVzDmayAoLsKhyZmJ6CPsvSRHOENmjLixQJdEgsYZF6th0eOrgSGwLpCbOFbGbZ4l5Jh4OAv5NwGgor87Gy_9/w640-h480/IMG_8131.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With its multitude of hotels and restaurants, it would be easy to dismiss Bandipur as touristy- which it totally is- but it is also very much a living city, as evidenced by the women coming back from harvest, baskets full of the day's crop on their backs. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU26lJbFvPpcFw5M_5s9JMtk7teWM-A-iMdcQXyXBT3KOrSOBrnopuNdvwy-MQboTFvBSqVW_5cw6RrnluE3WlFCB2aU-4vgoUNSCo5XzDktEzBTd1DyldvNYQ8ADaGojhcyb1a8ZX-HBn4GNDaENcbFgGpCQZTRBIc6-tmHSKK0U_yQ5IeOzI8tXpF8Yi/s4032/IMG_8129.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU26lJbFvPpcFw5M_5s9JMtk7teWM-A-iMdcQXyXBT3KOrSOBrnopuNdvwy-MQboTFvBSqVW_5cw6RrnluE3WlFCB2aU-4vgoUNSCo5XzDktEzBTd1DyldvNYQ8ADaGojhcyb1a8ZX-HBn4GNDaENcbFgGpCQZTRBIc6-tmHSKK0U_yQ5IeOzI8tXpF8Yi/w480-h640/IMG_8129.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm92RBpndoJTSl_JKAqN_YC67tk97j1GYrF8wqPmSpN5A1AKUCbtcVFj-TC8niO6tj6vcMuohcWsCqxE1THf-oSOfK2iVii-_qSdHYkRPw2HBJ4MDkkprZ_SdvdDeoihswWBILvUu-iZsPfpWGKl-LJf4cZugEG-J9oEsaJkculnk9N0lz5-sm7MvMMjBJ/s4032/IMG_8133.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm92RBpndoJTSl_JKAqN_YC67tk97j1GYrF8wqPmSpN5A1AKUCbtcVFj-TC8niO6tj6vcMuohcWsCqxE1THf-oSOfK2iVii-_qSdHYkRPw2HBJ4MDkkprZ_SdvdDeoihswWBILvUu-iZsPfpWGKl-LJf4cZugEG-J9oEsaJkculnk9N0lz5-sm7MvMMjBJ/w480-h640/IMG_8133.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL1EgBVbeiQZvjch0QHoAOjGI-H0_eoOWu7OzW_w2GEYsGWp02QHCHTetUu8mOKT7b0BeWBmK5Mc5VF2V1yXuu72MCrnqYs41tBLYw6A56m4xe0OFoDw3nER5seBAu0sYWgwKq2y1wbJeXEuFJFzEacSngIhPj_kw3CTvZX6w0AV9Q08hGeGJZ6b_T9UV/s4032/IMG_8125.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL1EgBVbeiQZvjch0QHoAOjGI-H0_eoOWu7OzW_w2GEYsGWp02QHCHTetUu8mOKT7b0BeWBmK5Mc5VF2V1yXuu72MCrnqYs41tBLYw6A56m4xe0OFoDw3nER5seBAu0sYWgwKq2y1wbJeXEuFJFzEacSngIhPj_kw3CTvZX6w0AV9Q08hGeGJZ6b_T9UV/w480-h640/IMG_8125.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was here that I had my first taste of the country's favorite dish, Dal Bhat. It is said that a Nepalese diet consists of this dish twice a day, every day. All the souvenirs stores carry t-shirts proudly declaring "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bhat-Power-Nepal-Funny-T-Shirt/dp/B07PHDRY8C">Dal Bhat power, 24 hour"</a>. They love them some Dal Bhat. Simply put, it consists of steamed rice, lentil soup, curried vegetables and some greens. In many places, it is a cheap all you can eat entree, allowing you to keep requesting refills until you are fully sated. It is also a perfect vegetarian dish that I ordered, maybe not every day, but at least every other day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiizW41pz52fAHNe2PcNI-NlnOPb1ZIiIjRIjPcVJgJFSwXa7Elh0cOH3JXDHMkNL94Kmmc_ZV0-iejByyUN_MjB8M_4C4epXAYAie745m1tUZ7nUiHQxUquSki6ZZk4UxIRuIQ-Jlt9ersFAWSU4uqA5GOyEqKnPQF9gspklIUoDgeyu-S2pifLV-Voji/s4032/IMG_8135.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiizW41pz52fAHNe2PcNI-NlnOPb1ZIiIjRIjPcVJgJFSwXa7Elh0cOH3JXDHMkNL94Kmmc_ZV0-iejByyUN_MjB8M_4C4epXAYAie745m1tUZ7nUiHQxUquSki6ZZk4UxIRuIQ-Jlt9ersFAWSU4uqA5GOyEqKnPQF9gspklIUoDgeyu-S2pifLV-Voji/w480-h640/IMG_8135.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSuZwFcsxEe0H9aphzB62ASGHglJWlseDbFmIY7MVKMRqQVmAkETWQXqPOXtiCgsZwqf5VTEX_ZKs4LKqFkDJtfwtcaR-wfS1yPmnQh5_3_FRKOXc7tzGrcY722mfQjEhGbktiC3XRArA0-wHOZs3BBHtqZ3mT2qdW4jhVwiR6TBq6dco-46MWQjITBAg/s4032/IMG_8137.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSuZwFcsxEe0H9aphzB62ASGHglJWlseDbFmIY7MVKMRqQVmAkETWQXqPOXtiCgsZwqf5VTEX_ZKs4LKqFkDJtfwtcaR-wfS1yPmnQh5_3_FRKOXc7tzGrcY722mfQjEhGbktiC3XRArA0-wHOZs3BBHtqZ3mT2qdW4jhVwiR6TBq6dco-46MWQjITBAg/w480-h640/IMG_8137.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLySKFhHCfUeBbSyo6EzchZTP5is-GgQJgV17digNLp5_qGf5lvw1kc1_BJBX3Sz8L4ZUo38OpvnX78UQS7cQoigG4k5pG6dTFe3v7lnWegIETgmnVGFaf_j609iqTikRg7NznwGdqE9Ba3D-HOMn4-BzHcSC1QAGFO877d9H0417Ew4nqSgovKZ2BoZzL/s4032/IMG_8144.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLySKFhHCfUeBbSyo6EzchZTP5is-GgQJgV17digNLp5_qGf5lvw1kc1_BJBX3Sz8L4ZUo38OpvnX78UQS7cQoigG4k5pG6dTFe3v7lnWegIETgmnVGFaf_j609iqTikRg7NznwGdqE9Ba3D-HOMn4-BzHcSC1QAGFO877d9H0417Ew4nqSgovKZ2BoZzL/w480-h640/IMG_8144.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Between the bitch of a bus ride and the filling, sating powers of the Dal Bhat, I was ready for a nap. The plan was simple. I would wake up in time to hike up to Thani Mai temple to take in the sunset, another Sashi recommendation. She was quick to point out that from there, you could see the "good mountains", meaning the snow capped ones. Coming from a state where our highest point is a trash dump, (seriously, it's called Mt Trashmore) the fact that she was dismissing the still grand yet smaller mountains was hilarious to me. <div><br /></div><div>The bus must have taken more out of me than I thought because I woke up mere minutes before sunset. No way was I going to make it up to the temple. Thankfully, there was a viewpoint just a couple of blocks from the hotel. It was glorious. Watching the setting sun cast a golden glow over those very good mountains is something that no camera, no matter how powerful, can accurately capture. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gH3kcOS2AM1m6lLqz0Be03FnMZtptcARbWa7uG4LRA-5ulgncHuXRMLhLXqyULSlFLxH_EZv3T15m3wxj_3dr3uMIcT08H9UjC_J1WrUkW1PMB7lE5HoPUrPugJW1WfN501-no5Aa7-9G_nDPrarlouH8o-cCs9VHNRjyj8ILGCIVU79arkfEiGmgBHh/s4032/IMG_8150.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gH3kcOS2AM1m6lLqz0Be03FnMZtptcARbWa7uG4LRA-5ulgncHuXRMLhLXqyULSlFLxH_EZv3T15m3wxj_3dr3uMIcT08H9UjC_J1WrUkW1PMB7lE5HoPUrPugJW1WfN501-no5Aa7-9G_nDPrarlouH8o-cCs9VHNRjyj8ILGCIVU79arkfEiGmgBHh/w640-h480/IMG_8150.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmRWjYk466zDealvUwa9ah-lATPmzv1n47Rilp-oR-ywEHzWzs8vFkXuRZz_sBw6dM_5MUMehOJEmN4YwqjY50CJyLfuvhr8qmMXW3oGbD4O1famR-Lm06DcT47ASbo4A_M6R0DaEaC2Q0fwcM0RKvbs-O4__cvTgFnAmI8vQrWIa9CQaF6FzfI-3LPtV/s4032/IMG_8159.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmRWjYk466zDealvUwa9ah-lATPmzv1n47Rilp-oR-ywEHzWzs8vFkXuRZz_sBw6dM_5MUMehOJEmN4YwqjY50CJyLfuvhr8qmMXW3oGbD4O1famR-Lm06DcT47ASbo4A_M6R0DaEaC2Q0fwcM0RKvbs-O4__cvTgFnAmI8vQrWIa9CQaF6FzfI-3LPtV/w640-h480/IMG_8159.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once darkness had set in, it was time to return to the square for some drinks, dinner (not Dal Bhat) and free entertainment. I was there at the tail end of a festival, which meant there were young people randomly breaking into song and dance wherever you turned. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lIufde8ABieZo496TwKIo1iDfGmZsaABWeXnFtDJoaRT2GFzvKb-TljNWwEUN91QZBGnQVNfQF1113ZbEIBOxYs8Qq9ByV_2raY7D09eeUgqBx0y-R9RDUqnLSICucVTpWWBD0Y5QGpa9wKuD97KfNR8TpVLn_4YjBxgjUXY4_iIQr2wydnEk8LI4wsf/s4032/IMG_8166.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lIufde8ABieZo496TwKIo1iDfGmZsaABWeXnFtDJoaRT2GFzvKb-TljNWwEUN91QZBGnQVNfQF1113ZbEIBOxYs8Qq9ByV_2raY7D09eeUgqBx0y-R9RDUqnLSICucVTpWWBD0Y5QGpa9wKuD97KfNR8TpVLn_4YjBxgjUXY4_iIQr2wydnEk8LI4wsf/w480-h640/IMG_8166.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvS0N5tacq50AsQTuzgx69QIiPwKuGsArIPgAFyYqOT6-HkEyNfTHCjJ9XBXE4MpIsPKUD24VqRL-w-VcyCvpjjU-BhszFnQt2mXedmL-JfDETiAG9RkmdDVf5_ilTQXzdAxJre_4dZCzEwh9Bj0T6ri-1i3wgTCV829zqdWcVcTWR6meupZ8tjN-dJ57/s4032/IMG_8168.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvS0N5tacq50AsQTuzgx69QIiPwKuGsArIPgAFyYqOT6-HkEyNfTHCjJ9XBXE4MpIsPKUD24VqRL-w-VcyCvpjjU-BhszFnQt2mXedmL-JfDETiAG9RkmdDVf5_ilTQXzdAxJre_4dZCzEwh9Bj0T6ri-1i3wgTCV829zqdWcVcTWR6meupZ8tjN-dJ57/w640-h480/IMG_8168.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2unoe7O_P53kaKjepOpQDeb-FNJ8dC9acmvbsJZBq2-RLdOQrc6fptqlRsuGaUDs5UQGNw9aw0vl-tKxVNhbsAB1oZitKE_kZ-kCb4SI4aNtDbFHQdsNMjLoy3yRv9nqm2YISAGkCN6sEmrPHpQwkIvQgtyPE-lQjNAobb9EjySq6sxNwvEveBu0LMpC/s4032/IMG_8169.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2unoe7O_P53kaKjepOpQDeb-FNJ8dC9acmvbsJZBq2-RLdOQrc6fptqlRsuGaUDs5UQGNw9aw0vl-tKxVNhbsAB1oZitKE_kZ-kCb4SI4aNtDbFHQdsNMjLoy3yRv9nqm2YISAGkCN6sEmrPHpQwkIvQgtyPE-lQjNAobb9EjySq6sxNwvEveBu0LMpC/w480-h640/IMG_8169.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVtUEiCy-pDW-Ue1iIEcTiAhKOHLt3koh0F3qJgszESyPAoEyiwzkfaiLAHBUpUAF8XUaeaj4y7JRa9wnHjO-28PGg2peEILDx6jgSBlRQhBxoQTrq1vHjv91qc9k_EncuJP9J-svFGpqMJolB2mez-1lCnYrBUNRUSKAFAIIlxZbTgmPE-SHeynVx3Rn/s4032/IMG_8177.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVtUEiCy-pDW-Ue1iIEcTiAhKOHLt3koh0F3qJgszESyPAoEyiwzkfaiLAHBUpUAF8XUaeaj4y7JRa9wnHjO-28PGg2peEILDx6jgSBlRQhBxoQTrq1vHjv91qc9k_EncuJP9J-svFGpqMJolB2mez-1lCnYrBUNRUSKAFAIIlxZbTgmPE-SHeynVx3Rn/w480-h640/IMG_8177.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've been to many places where I'm not entirely wandering at night by myself. Bandipur is not one of those places. I felt completely at ease, even on the darkest of streets. This was good thing because the next morning, I was up before the sun, determined to make it to Thani Mai for the sunrise. Sashi's husband had offered to take me to the start of the trail but a miscommunication occurred and he was not at the lobby at the appointed time so I figured I could manage this on my own. I started by following a Chinese couple I encountered on the street, who must surely be going up there. They kept turning around nervously and with no common language, I could not accurately convey that I meant no harm.I just had no sense of direction. They turned towards the square, in what I thought was an attempt to lose me, so I veered off and tried relying on Google Maps instead. Sadly, Google Maps hosed me by sending me in the direction of the hill itself but not the trail leading to the top. With time running out, I ran back to the viewpoint for yet another stunning display by Mother Nature.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyZ60sDf7r76uDMdx3_EuBvCjKZH9q3-zYvmVCNEOYh0rZ2iqatIuuOzTASWet_mdS4WODQE3hdPFTSJB7SewKzGqYXPXz1e4twmoiqkFf1X7Mo2FJBE4L39P240G52078hRtytLnZMcLDwdJ_3AgB2cIx9-fg0iOcokZRxxVP8cnUdlXYWLXUPxBCEG0/s4032/IMG_8185.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyZ60sDf7r76uDMdx3_EuBvCjKZH9q3-zYvmVCNEOYh0rZ2iqatIuuOzTASWet_mdS4WODQE3hdPFTSJB7SewKzGqYXPXz1e4twmoiqkFf1X7Mo2FJBE4L39P240G52078hRtytLnZMcLDwdJ_3AgB2cIx9-fg0iOcokZRxxVP8cnUdlXYWLXUPxBCEG0/w640-h480/IMG_8185.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyMT5q-1YCVGbfIdaD8Lv9Q4-DoC2UMtAk3eTXGNn6tB0sKhmszDxMSoqrPqzhFR3JUWJLRbCJ75RoqiDfb2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Sashi's husband found me in the park, told me he had seen me following the Chinese couple and appeared a little confounded that I had managed to get lost. Rattled by the morning's outing, I asked him about getting a guide to take me on the hike to Ramkot, a traditional village a couple of hours away. He insisted that it was an easy straight shot and that I could do this unaccompanied.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure why I believed him, which is not to say he was being dishonest, just that he still wasn't grasping how poor my sense of direction actually is. I, on the other hand, should have known better.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, it was ok. The trail seemed straightforward and the views simply spectacular.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV3wRHpQNMeBkmuxPomd7LS4j2P1WjiF74zH4R-CkJtRLuZttbwdDJvkUMRwCfDkzzMlb7nWbbjmQud2rJQiIdioUtjVmB9AKXgDpiQlfqgss7S6sGRgn0SdpQf177ROp5xczWgqL2eOju-Khr6V29zjkISsEodeqxy9oDVJQC70GHTQu0X-194fiOx8B/s4032/IMG_8198.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV3wRHpQNMeBkmuxPomd7LS4j2P1WjiF74zH4R-CkJtRLuZttbwdDJvkUMRwCfDkzzMlb7nWbbjmQud2rJQiIdioUtjVmB9AKXgDpiQlfqgss7S6sGRgn0SdpQf177ROp5xczWgqL2eOju-Khr6V29zjkISsEodeqxy9oDVJQC70GHTQu0X-194fiOx8B/w480-h640/IMG_8198.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeNVi18hHsqoaLY4-5AaYRv_cGD-Q-mrN0EgGWX-0AdSyNfDqwHTA7Kc5GxgZOyfNt2WC4q1N4z2ZaHltn4AjpDBtWkUlnqm_zL_8zzUa2QSy6lXtTjeVE2q1_sCYYd8hNWTFLLwbzNBQDpwKG8j161iQTaBInqpfdWVVqOxUJ_W0JnLEDZUAFk15tsLq/s4032/IMG_8200.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeNVi18hHsqoaLY4-5AaYRv_cGD-Q-mrN0EgGWX-0AdSyNfDqwHTA7Kc5GxgZOyfNt2WC4q1N4z2ZaHltn4AjpDBtWkUlnqm_zL_8zzUa2QSy6lXtTjeVE2q1_sCYYd8hNWTFLLwbzNBQDpwKG8j161iQTaBInqpfdWVVqOxUJ_W0JnLEDZUAFk15tsLq/w640-h480/IMG_8200.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqB679w0NmVhqEaMgGrEwF5B-mc9OQMOoOMxP-f_m56-3nahLRhiO0lxYx_O5KjV2fcqWQw6vFd4e0PTmxh1nF9JUeLTMATzCIvs7i_4UKehtqEO-YlkxjyUR9Q4Ol58l34TYPMN3D3uv8MzE5LFI3d5nn19LgIRCnZjA-A0zdJQ6DyNBtcHaVPaOoFrb/s4032/IMG_8202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqB679w0NmVhqEaMgGrEwF5B-mc9OQMOoOMxP-f_m56-3nahLRhiO0lxYx_O5KjV2fcqWQw6vFd4e0PTmxh1nF9JUeLTMATzCIvs7i_4UKehtqEO-YlkxjyUR9Q4Ol58l34TYPMN3D3uv8MzE5LFI3d5nn19LgIRCnZjA-A0zdJQ6DyNBtcHaVPaOoFrb/w640-h480/IMG_8202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91zi3SMeE2xPf0iW-MgFlFpulw4ZnaFTmEagDB3R5nmcQ9a1PJN-oLmF20zMilQv2MnOKS9gHBYHZffcZB2pBwFBHeeoC9oWmL-L_pJNAr8rlZSWkwoVPdy-7_jCtZyIfiqEiQcbznwtOvKfD_C5qoe3cSjD5xEv2yTIxQnwmKyQvaOJqCALK0vrv7Tcs/s4032/IMG_8206.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91zi3SMeE2xPf0iW-MgFlFpulw4ZnaFTmEagDB3R5nmcQ9a1PJN-oLmF20zMilQv2MnOKS9gHBYHZffcZB2pBwFBHeeoC9oWmL-L_pJNAr8rlZSWkwoVPdy-7_jCtZyIfiqEiQcbznwtOvKfD_C5qoe3cSjD5xEv2yTIxQnwmKyQvaOJqCALK0vrv7Tcs/w640-h480/IMG_8206.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI9g5B_hxOQ5LAQQH4IFzb8JDFU9eIEsi9ddWe4TSYxyemB5kQIN_OdH5JvlNNXUH3Un-wcLNFjgwMIuVzEztDeO8QKhyphenhyphen57WZpMNVR_udjDIo6RMP6ECDy7de92yRhhw0yNQKEBCJlSGQMxY3XMyDzQWIsg-SQit2pheeVDP363hynhkK11opa6pN0kmI/s4032/IMG_8212.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI9g5B_hxOQ5LAQQH4IFzb8JDFU9eIEsi9ddWe4TSYxyemB5kQIN_OdH5JvlNNXUH3Un-wcLNFjgwMIuVzEztDeO8QKhyphenhyphen57WZpMNVR_udjDIo6RMP6ECDy7de92yRhhw0yNQKEBCJlSGQMxY3XMyDzQWIsg-SQit2pheeVDP363hynhkK11opa6pN0kmI/w640-h480/IMG_8212.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I eventually made it to Ramkot and once there, realized I had no real plan. I had read about the friendly locals who were happy to show visitors around, only on this day, perhaps those people had chosen to sleep in. The people that I encountered were clearly over having tourists drop in unannounced and weren't really having it. </div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTyjDM1z021O0gkf0dJsg2R_kmzQa-9Z8GVRM4ioYOYbPbyLNyWyVJEGnEWM6nVK_wLY86YXwrs0IUhx0xhfwqinaeluXsLienZULVhRcTzRoLMFUoC0kdMCyjT2i_iVwhhAD9fccAkGig_hKIsbZWp2yzdrqsyX7_M-mJ1j0F3ibmrDZNfRtCbiD5I6X/s4032/IMG_8215.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTyjDM1z021O0gkf0dJsg2R_kmzQa-9Z8GVRM4ioYOYbPbyLNyWyVJEGnEWM6nVK_wLY86YXwrs0IUhx0xhfwqinaeluXsLienZULVhRcTzRoLMFUoC0kdMCyjT2i_iVwhhAD9fccAkGig_hKIsbZWp2yzdrqsyX7_M-mJ1j0F3ibmrDZNfRtCbiD5I6X/w640-h480/IMG_8215.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was friendly as it got. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tried to make conversation to no avail. I asked if I could take photos and got grunts of approval but not much else. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TtUwin4KFU1w_3OLZ42imwRkQfOTHpexdu2EJ9MTNu8diHjkGgQ44dYAzIced0DbMTRb-wzgZEeccrxPlq5DE1Pd8qrXokbRq6Bms6sVUCb2W8VC3mMHV8wQCLCMRiVbn7qQhlzA5zTyx03MzAeXsXnVbNh1S7FC8Tf3TPbFXNgW_9IQkh2xGsY0Hum9/s4032/IMG_8217.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TtUwin4KFU1w_3OLZ42imwRkQfOTHpexdu2EJ9MTNu8diHjkGgQ44dYAzIced0DbMTRb-wzgZEeccrxPlq5DE1Pd8qrXokbRq6Bms6sVUCb2W8VC3mMHV8wQCLCMRiVbn7qQhlzA5zTyx03MzAeXsXnVbNh1S7FC8Tf3TPbFXNgW_9IQkh2xGsY0Hum9/w480-h640/IMG_8217.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1SWgKtTejJw78TRcrIOZv1ItFPJNSmfjYnuVWqF5Oy7QCOlB04VVY1uijSVjxKlDFWCZbO0HyISj5jQ09-eA4Ck31wrQfr2QLqCzExOwgCqxbaDr-sQY99L9Ii3HWKeCJuqdIcMOA-xcWzqzaH2mCgkHJvvhLIxmaulrlirc-bnVIEJP58V9ajiHAYK/s4032/IMG_8218.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1SWgKtTejJw78TRcrIOZv1ItFPJNSmfjYnuVWqF5Oy7QCOlB04VVY1uijSVjxKlDFWCZbO0HyISj5jQ09-eA4Ck31wrQfr2QLqCzExOwgCqxbaDr-sQY99L9Ii3HWKeCJuqdIcMOA-xcWzqzaH2mCgkHJvvhLIxmaulrlirc-bnVIEJP58V9ajiHAYK/w640-h480/IMG_8218.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I had come this far and was determined to get something for my troubles so I set about hiring someone to briefly show me around. I eventually hit upon the owner of a guesthouse who was willing to point out the highlights.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ_aGMq4KmvSMylI-rkBhUgCHJcK2-BJ6AeVQvN14S1QBbRia9CE3bTqtM6onG5nmYl3vf-wYCPjMdJu2c3a3icDKSOAgMW0C4BUWWNGP-7zxXyi92SyEzNw2ENT-KjU0muh8m5Brpc4YM8GHaS50FOm83wOzjYBYbaJOd8lW16Yo6smAQUpB3dyDSJ2v/s4032/IMG_8220.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ_aGMq4KmvSMylI-rkBhUgCHJcK2-BJ6AeVQvN14S1QBbRia9CE3bTqtM6onG5nmYl3vf-wYCPjMdJu2c3a3icDKSOAgMW0C4BUWWNGP-7zxXyi92SyEzNw2ENT-KjU0muh8m5Brpc4YM8GHaS50FOm83wOzjYBYbaJOd8lW16Yo6smAQUpB3dyDSJ2v/w640-h480/IMG_8220.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadNpuLDPVprS9SHd18BawPLMcAkDMmmqDYDlbJNyfRBl05CK52CDT88Vk_ow_FPnNh1Msl0mffWAk-OxGjQ5_0HK4nPDZCfzAZlAq8WDTbamCB2txtOU9cPK9IzQYXCXmo4Z9pEBhgtvPuOGipVfLQtgSDxd4nf0vwnC0bHH2jRh1IBIpzHCSvXruQENs/s4032/IMG_8226.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadNpuLDPVprS9SHd18BawPLMcAkDMmmqDYDlbJNyfRBl05CK52CDT88Vk_ow_FPnNh1Msl0mffWAk-OxGjQ5_0HK4nPDZCfzAZlAq8WDTbamCB2txtOU9cPK9IzQYXCXmo4Z9pEBhgtvPuOGipVfLQtgSDxd4nf0vwnC0bHH2jRh1IBIpzHCSvXruQENs/w640-h480/IMG_8226.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd5BtldYq-UEWsfJ7EUwVBjBayJ5Y-ADsY6VLIG80YNxvHl5nxQYmSZX-kaqtegnwM9FTUnG0c0BrQYPcdS3efzStqGhELQgwViWsh7DWFh2YVg2aVK1MWZ4zbJpAgcm4Bvwq1A7h8b0_nFo_9lqzI6GeIxc3fT3ZL9xJdVkdY9aUvO3RqCBhwryFPlan/s4032/IMG_8231.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd5BtldYq-UEWsfJ7EUwVBjBayJ5Y-ADsY6VLIG80YNxvHl5nxQYmSZX-kaqtegnwM9FTUnG0c0BrQYPcdS3efzStqGhELQgwViWsh7DWFh2YVg2aVK1MWZ4zbJpAgcm4Bvwq1A7h8b0_nFo_9lqzI6GeIxc3fT3ZL9xJdVkdY9aUvO3RqCBhwryFPlan/w480-h640/IMG_8231.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He took great pride in showing me ancient tools that had been used in harvesting and explaining their traditional agricultural ways. Only problem is I had just seen the stacks of empty Gorkha beer bottles, mobile phones and knockoff Chanel slides. If you are so about traditional ways, why is that kid eating Oreo cookies? What wooden implement did you make those with? Is there a nearby Elf village you are trading with? Perhaps at some point, this had been a self sustaining village but the fact that there was a massive supply truck off-loading fruits, vegetables and giant burlap sacks of rice indicated that this was no longer the case. </div><div><br /></div><div>My guide tried to get me a peek into a home, only to get rebuffed. Some teenage kid hit me up for candy and then didn't even say thank you when he grabbed the pack of crackers I offered him. One woman made a comment, clearly about me, that made the others laugh, which my guide refused to translate. While it was very pretty, it didn't take long for me to decide "Fuck Ramkot". I get that having all these visitors can get annoying but you are a place that happens to be close to an actual place of interest. If you were 10 miles further on, trust me, no one would bother to drop in. Either monetize it and charge a cultural development fee or close off the residential area to visitors because this midway point is not doing anyone any favors. Better they take that big "Thank you for visiting" archway down and use the wood to make more oreos.</div><div><br /></div><div> Caveat: Every village, no matter how big or small, has its assholes. It is very possible that I just happened to encounter them all in one afternoon and the rest of the people are indeed lovely. If given the opportunity to go back, with someone who knows the way, I would 100% return and most likely have a totally different experience.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U8Pb-qUDSOFmoz4hMQIu0Kw55X6pvPs_BlZlyEAsTAMDpaev3r7ZhneY_A8bq2F5kjB0MG0IUg4DndvX4zJ_2087jxx8-wZ8zJ6aCfxd6ir9K45eUZv7gMoeXUR3P6d3MrZpo4wWK_XFPwZQnz9MG6vwxqwQvlv03eL_GbsDzDNFolyN5378ivz1cVg4/s4032/IMG_8232.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-U8Pb-qUDSOFmoz4hMQIu0Kw55X6pvPs_BlZlyEAsTAMDpaev3r7ZhneY_A8bq2F5kjB0MG0IUg4DndvX4zJ_2087jxx8-wZ8zJ6aCfxd6ir9K45eUZv7gMoeXUR3P6d3MrZpo4wWK_XFPwZQnz9MG6vwxqwQvlv03eL_GbsDzDNFolyN5378ivz1cVg4/w480-h640/IMG_8232.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yBL9jUZKqWTshQCz5wcmhytdj0LpYFqCvALwreqg_KvsqZ4etmgkSo3ldmhWfY9bWZHOa5pjaUp7PAKwQpax_dtUbZlvFL1LpuUkAme4cVQMMpvbwFsL3_cIZgvo2ePvvu6U_xxrjyvpYqZMzzjZdwIqPQ4GWrSxiIXgckDYF4CA-12hX-uy-2Ne4bix/s4032/IMG_8234.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yBL9jUZKqWTshQCz5wcmhytdj0LpYFqCvALwreqg_KvsqZ4etmgkSo3ldmhWfY9bWZHOa5pjaUp7PAKwQpax_dtUbZlvFL1LpuUkAme4cVQMMpvbwFsL3_cIZgvo2ePvvu6U_xxrjyvpYqZMzzjZdwIqPQ4GWrSxiIXgckDYF4CA-12hX-uy-2Ne4bix/w480-h640/IMG_8234.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8niscnxqIG6LH40jHs-bmDp3vG-05g4EJM5nORjYJRMO3lxDxJoaMeFokwMN8RsjQo8sAnAgEGCkSQQBZvsUaXQR3e4NCfvR44y9IHXAaewmgISkgMtl7tcliJNtlRUx-c1-g38xGiv4g6tl4HTtP5hk63ZgR7-SKvqReA_n3vzYTudI0tF2tBwUt0cx/s4032/IMG_8237.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8niscnxqIG6LH40jHs-bmDp3vG-05g4EJM5nORjYJRMO3lxDxJoaMeFokwMN8RsjQo8sAnAgEGCkSQQBZvsUaXQR3e4NCfvR44y9IHXAaewmgISkgMtl7tcliJNtlRUx-c1-g38xGiv4g6tl4HTtP5hk63ZgR7-SKvqReA_n3vzYTudI0tF2tBwUt0cx/w480-h640/IMG_8237.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUlszvgWw5IFOK1K9muCoXgfb4eWs2NpXN9PYaaO_Ebh5lu2AuRYHcIp6ZLbKMObLkaNbM8GkRvxPtGR-kmV5mhqXybX7T8Ad9ogz4IcyJzuxtAp-p_BsvqbF-amOMqL9PuNG1cs6SCsbeSGgL-1oqXjs9RvhAzMQybTpEpEIlWeTDRN5222R1XfAmMEX/s4032/IMG_8243.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUlszvgWw5IFOK1K9muCoXgfb4eWs2NpXN9PYaaO_Ebh5lu2AuRYHcIp6ZLbKMObLkaNbM8GkRvxPtGR-kmV5mhqXybX7T8Ad9ogz4IcyJzuxtAp-p_BsvqbF-amOMqL9PuNG1cs6SCsbeSGgL-1oqXjs9RvhAzMQybTpEpEIlWeTDRN5222R1XfAmMEX/w480-h640/IMG_8243.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But as it stood, the day was getting hotter and I was hungry. I cut my tour short and asked about the possibility of getting a ride back to Bandipur, only to be told the supply trucks that make up most of the traffic, were all going the other way. The guide tried to give me directions but they were so convoluted I struggled to just make it out of the village. Google maps betrayed me once again by insisting I return on a road that I swear does not exist. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO_27MFFx8rFxoO5UA5D-nAYthdLPsPQHcoHjiROQryTIHIXCrUn-mrAMEwkBwnzuwcsBvLxFGm39JXXfslkSUQwZYk-RG_yH_3Z6YcFzRyr47XMWX3vy-H7cKTq_KYI3aGlK3ujhMbnE3sCQyfrl1YepYruXwFs4HCKBlUdTGrbETbCpRuZ0G45wW8RQ/s2532/IMG_8246.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO_27MFFx8rFxoO5UA5D-nAYthdLPsPQHcoHjiROQryTIHIXCrUn-mrAMEwkBwnzuwcsBvLxFGm39JXXfslkSUQwZYk-RG_yH_3Z6YcFzRyr47XMWX3vy-H7cKTq_KYI3aGlK3ujhMbnE3sCQyfrl1YepYruXwFs4HCKBlUdTGrbETbCpRuZ0G45wW8RQ/w296-h640/IMG_8246.png" width="296" /></a></div>It was looking bad. The straightforward road towards Ramkot consisted of an alarming number of forked intersections on the return journey. I took the wrong fork every single time. I started approaching every supply truck I encountered and asking if at any point they were going to Bandipur. They were not. I saw myself lost on these mountain trails, mumbling "Bandipur?" for the rest of eternity. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGLox6zpZY_ob-xvK3sirecyRSZQfobLw8ykFlR8AzCNxLcE3o2ODzezZIr22iWjoPHoqvZvGmbQmK7L86BFT5fK9-hkXPq1Ko1JoQSQqc56rm70AGNs26gzOWG0MIeMHQ5NruZRbuXSDbiLrqdRURF5R9qCAGKOvQ5Q5_M3ZvhYRc2MVFTjbrtkk_nUH/s4032/IMG_8247.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGLox6zpZY_ob-xvK3sirecyRSZQfobLw8ykFlR8AzCNxLcE3o2ODzezZIr22iWjoPHoqvZvGmbQmK7L86BFT5fK9-hkXPq1Ko1JoQSQqc56rm70AGNs26gzOWG0MIeMHQ5NruZRbuXSDbiLrqdRURF5R9qCAGKOvQ5Q5_M3ZvhYRc2MVFTjbrtkk_nUH/w640-h480/IMG_8247.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Eventually, over an hour into this boondoggle, a driver who had given me directions earlier only to find me way off course, took pity. He responded to my pleading "Bandipur??" with "Ok, ok, ok". He saw the folly of trying to redirect me and pointed towards his truck. I know the saying is that not all heroes wear capes but sometimes they do have big rigs full of rice and Nepalese beer. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZnc4lC7RcGGc2lAqV_x2M1vq-FMwMVi9mOfzrn6mI1JfYIpsvd30y-2ABXWw6OeQ8nYyEb2k4vcumjbfIi5RdWPT13ErfuXGcogG2jAgUlQHYLGPQrvKcsHY5zFOziAU3mwHRy4vs6l_9AmdeW9CtGkHKfTCag_RqIKNTfzF9shFmYLSgjBPlCRlqrtR/s4032/IMG_8249.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZnc4lC7RcGGc2lAqV_x2M1vq-FMwMVi9mOfzrn6mI1JfYIpsvd30y-2ABXWw6OeQ8nYyEb2k4vcumjbfIi5RdWPT13ErfuXGcogG2jAgUlQHYLGPQrvKcsHY5zFOziAU3mwHRy4vs6l_9AmdeW9CtGkHKfTCag_RqIKNTfzF9shFmYLSgjBPlCRlqrtR/w640-h480/IMG_8249.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My savior</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sashi was outside when we pulled up. Odds are good that she'd never had a guest dropped off in a supply truck and appeared justifiably confused. After I shared my story, she commented that she had never even heard of anyone getting lost in Bandipur, much less twice in one day. Yeah, I'm Special. So Special.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz-Ikar0Y7assoTi-wmR7-EC-V5QLAluqEmlXYjfXYOSy6ccXGhibIPVMsnpyc_XDuvyLU4_d9b-C617Ta-4mmJkFwFY942z9f7-R4BhfWbqQWnZ6gcszeZLUmxXJw3XvnwEeT6CHW0roDFwzYeX-ITdmwIcwYvUidptCZl6Eg6FqgNd0yhhBFOQ0naeQ/s4032/IMG_8250.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz-Ikar0Y7assoTi-wmR7-EC-V5QLAluqEmlXYjfXYOSy6ccXGhibIPVMsnpyc_XDuvyLU4_d9b-C617Ta-4mmJkFwFY942z9f7-R4BhfWbqQWnZ6gcszeZLUmxXJw3XvnwEeT6CHW0roDFwzYeX-ITdmwIcwYvUidptCZl6Eg6FqgNd0yhhBFOQ0naeQ/w480-h640/IMG_8250.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Most people would leave well enough alone but after a well-earned lunch- Dal Bhatt power!!- and a leisurely day wandering around the square (aka in civilization), I made one last push towards getting to Thani Mai for the sunset. This time, Sashi went into great detail as to how to get on the trail- basically down the hill and to the left, only it had seemed much harder in the dark- and this time, huzzah, I succeeded. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrJ3Mfsc5N3Rd61eeoi31Tiv4AxlJR8AZ2tiXq450OsB2XeRhUzot5w03KPaCQWBl-bGXSsYKT7nUISTiUDVP12P19JavNlnVd90e-Aa_Ut9_fMXhoA8wXK8D6B1TN69IIn2wrvkkWbbMHgwZIZKnasHCDTbyIYWbAoxXaB9xN1cdhEMWjHRP8Ba6ub7R/s4032/IMG_8258.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrJ3Mfsc5N3Rd61eeoi31Tiv4AxlJR8AZ2tiXq450OsB2XeRhUzot5w03KPaCQWBl-bGXSsYKT7nUISTiUDVP12P19JavNlnVd90e-Aa_Ut9_fMXhoA8wXK8D6B1TN69IIn2wrvkkWbbMHgwZIZKnasHCDTbyIYWbAoxXaB9xN1cdhEMWjHRP8Ba6ub7R/w480-h640/IMG_8258.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5LTeZf80f5GphvArkc07R1Qa4PZ4tNUcIR-aWFhj8NhvhYzrAXzRrOc2ci0wcmNBNPJGbhAIJeR7Mat-2F3262hcuaFAGMVwOa2x5TPxW1CJcJA9fymhh9jswuI1D-kmh4iI7-CLJVPxRxZr-s7mwJsNjgf8tb_YDATxjv5Og6Yh4iB4vjNRPHF_ZRFR/s4032/IMG_8262.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5LTeZf80f5GphvArkc07R1Qa4PZ4tNUcIR-aWFhj8NhvhYzrAXzRrOc2ci0wcmNBNPJGbhAIJeR7Mat-2F3262hcuaFAGMVwOa2x5TPxW1CJcJA9fymhh9jswuI1D-kmh4iI7-CLJVPxRxZr-s7mwJsNjgf8tb_YDATxjv5Og6Yh4iB4vjNRPHF_ZRFR/w640-h480/IMG_8262.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was totally worth the effort!! I mean look at this view:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk0Op2Yt1w6b2JeISiRVFMKnlHuzP6VyUAbJ1GFNcIP-KDhfi3zpc7HZH6kp7N8fnqP-yqL3qLiXZmUn9T4quO19_P4l__wU7A1HHttB5Q49pdQeoWPi2PzkAswt8o3RCebrKFRo_NAAu_WgqucmR95ZgatGctU1Uq2KOPpJ8iMLbYTypYdgijkkllo6w/s4032/IMG_8265.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk0Op2Yt1w6b2JeISiRVFMKnlHuzP6VyUAbJ1GFNcIP-KDhfi3zpc7HZH6kp7N8fnqP-yqL3qLiXZmUn9T4quO19_P4l__wU7A1HHttB5Q49pdQeoWPi2PzkAswt8o3RCebrKFRo_NAAu_WgqucmR95ZgatGctU1Uq2KOPpJ8iMLbYTypYdgijkkllo6w/w640-h480/IMG_8265.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GyxHXHEGKbwr8k3PBv_FsfWqkZChpMq3qPmUq07I_4emXLEk-awDBPHTFPShQv6XBuf3RaXVh0_WxUTDXsBScXBSBhwBD5AkkYyPHv9uVQ6PBBv1zWMj6Wv__8RCfB90G2cfdNyv0DqYhDUHbCa84BGUtc2Kb3iv0a__ZdXonQ69jWErvmopZQJS-Nte/s4032/IMG_8284.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GyxHXHEGKbwr8k3PBv_FsfWqkZChpMq3qPmUq07I_4emXLEk-awDBPHTFPShQv6XBuf3RaXVh0_WxUTDXsBScXBSBhwBD5AkkYyPHv9uVQ6PBBv1zWMj6Wv__8RCfB90G2cfdNyv0DqYhDUHbCa84BGUtc2Kb3iv0a__ZdXonQ69jWErvmopZQJS-Nte/w640-h480/IMG_8284.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I even managed to return to the square without getting lost, which is actually stupid easy, it is a essentially a set of stairs that lead directly to one end of the square. When it comes to Thani Mai temple, I probably really am the first person to ever get lost. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, the square was filled with music. This time it was a nearby town that was trying to raise funds for a tourism project. They went from cafe to cafe, dancing and asking for donations. I encountered them at least three times that evening. One young girl quickly caught on to the fact that I quite happy with playing the doofy tourist and recruited me into the dance circle every time. It was so Epcot!!</div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4KRz1iZGfxjOk_BfaVCuvM8e0NkKQarGFSFOM1zz8AyRa9x_rPbLa12YY2jOUi2646vMv5xWS4q0N8PDjbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>The following afternoon, I had to leave all this peace and perfection behind and get back on the "road", destination, Pokhara. My bus wasn't until 10am, giving me a chance to return to the park for one last visit to the viewpoint. It was the best one yet, with the fog seeming to cascade over the villages below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhBF_YGxEA2bkNYkKgKTr2Hr65ztwmct9cjGEeZxMDrnncP24sCGycdC5bE5bzGVlug-9RFVHP26fFg6Q_ZaBJxm6hNTSGMufxPPuklsfMuV7jWLHEJHXAQSywMT3wxn4YlHKMTwrpHPZDXUfnVyu5aTEF9pZpqV8Ce9bkMHemA4xdOGumTM9K4CttSGg/s4032/IMG_8305.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhBF_YGxEA2bkNYkKgKTr2Hr65ztwmct9cjGEeZxMDrnncP24sCGycdC5bE5bzGVlug-9RFVHP26fFg6Q_ZaBJxm6hNTSGMufxPPuklsfMuV7jWLHEJHXAQSywMT3wxn4YlHKMTwrpHPZDXUfnVyu5aTEF9pZpqV8Ce9bkMHemA4xdOGumTM9K4CttSGg/w640-h480/IMG_8305.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WKlJBiD3s_c8YNijTbcGRIiej6uhs-KGDLi7BOGuV0DG_Yo8oPmpOrEOLRtWJhmVRDuOh_hV0kMaCbecidh-QZGcr6fMexauIpmi6cJx7AkfQjGBjvuRam5wCqsK20wovLUu-P3FIjfx_PKgSfE3nqTzWzy0ur-_0dGwyLqeUoKbt_S1nD7Qftc8c5yz/s4032/IMG_8309.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WKlJBiD3s_c8YNijTbcGRIiej6uhs-KGDLi7BOGuV0DG_Yo8oPmpOrEOLRtWJhmVRDuOh_hV0kMaCbecidh-QZGcr6fMexauIpmi6cJx7AkfQjGBjvuRam5wCqsK20wovLUu-P3FIjfx_PKgSfE3nqTzWzy0ur-_0dGwyLqeUoKbt_S1nD7Qftc8c5yz/w640-h480/IMG_8309.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxXF8_6NG8gPq-qEhw2zEDNDbMSaYHKD2t061WCIP5gth4d3sVaFi1O8-i3Z3By4vQJf_SSum2XSmHen9qbXvq-dHLDkHo2GZ-mGDcVGmcrsXAInz4Lpj7_AJeU6hB3JFuzb_q-xeYz4nNFsjPhNOVsxzZQWADwBS89RJ9_YvOZ4UUcLJ4ziGlDVNggYT/s4032/IMG_8311.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxXF8_6NG8gPq-qEhw2zEDNDbMSaYHKD2t061WCIP5gth4d3sVaFi1O8-i3Z3By4vQJf_SSum2XSmHen9qbXvq-dHLDkHo2GZ-mGDcVGmcrsXAInz4Lpj7_AJeU6hB3JFuzb_q-xeYz4nNFsjPhNOVsxzZQWADwBS89RJ9_YvOZ4UUcLJ4ziGlDVNggYT/w640-h480/IMG_8311.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My time in Bandipur had come and gone too quickly. I was trying to soak it all in, while capturing some thoughts in my journal. For some reason, this drew the attention of some Asian gentlemen, who gathered around to take pics of me just sitting and writing. Either that or they just needed to document the lady who had followed their friends through town and still managed to get lost. Twice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0eLMpXIPIeM6gNe9VtW3H_vvRXU6A5XdilXbCxsAR4nJg1ukiF4BfXR_qWqZyEMDLIb9UmhSQP-KxgFB3mSUSSyC-vqNczvBU6a02vaqTfWPFHTPNKSA1AiaJ4ix872XHnbb9kqUqpN0GdJzyaRRvBLO7-joijtLD012ckTeX-iXq4mKp0vKg9ucmyac/s4032/IMG_8315.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0eLMpXIPIeM6gNe9VtW3H_vvRXU6A5XdilXbCxsAR4nJg1ukiF4BfXR_qWqZyEMDLIb9UmhSQP-KxgFB3mSUSSyC-vqNczvBU6a02vaqTfWPFHTPNKSA1AiaJ4ix872XHnbb9kqUqpN0GdJzyaRRvBLO7-joijtLD012ckTeX-iXq4mKp0vKg9ucmyac/w480-h640/IMG_8315.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-37968149674962588772023-11-29T04:35:00.849-05:002023-12-31T11:10:54.011-05:00Country #126: Easy riding into Nepal<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXFNsrcqZkj1BVNj9GhOQm8GKOc377JbYqr2zR00XGQC_sPXEUJOpNED8OzXCAzMOW4NdIFKTUJuxOWRZg_4xoNbm2egdYk0MN6R4_WNeGOKJgsgJyPBGiKzij0EA678Ulp1H2D1IjyK78YaXleMt5nOFaOBe2772FVpW5vUxMiqXH6uE665p2LWLO2B1/s3840/4B8CBC01-BED9-4979-8C84-D656D1C3E4E0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXFNsrcqZkj1BVNj9GhOQm8GKOc377JbYqr2zR00XGQC_sPXEUJOpNED8OzXCAzMOW4NdIFKTUJuxOWRZg_4xoNbm2egdYk0MN6R4_WNeGOKJgsgJyPBGiKzij0EA678Ulp1H2D1IjyK78YaXleMt5nOFaOBe2772FVpW5vUxMiqXH6uE665p2LWLO2B1/w640-h360/4B8CBC01-BED9-4979-8C84-D656D1C3E4E0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sometimes a great idea is just that, a great idea. Obvious but also the best way to describe what transpired in a series of pre-visit Whatsapp exchanges with Bishwo, the owner of the lovely <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hostelswastik/">Swastik</a> hostel and the definite hero of this story. <div><br /></div><div>As is becoming all too common, I had booked a flight to a new country, gotten overwhelmed with work and not planned a damn thing. Hours before my departure, I was frantically trying to come up with a loose framework I could follow for the next three weeks. It had to include a couple of places I knew I wanted to visit but I was getting tripped up on the logistics. The rough plan was to fly into Kathmandu, hang out for a couple of days, somehow get to the nearby historic city of Bhaktapur for a night or two and continue from there. But how and where to? In an inspired moment (read: dumb luck), I saw there was a Whatsapp number associated with Bhaktapur's only hostel. I sent out a plea for help and got an immediate response. No, there was no tourist bus to Chitwan from Bhaktapur. I should go to Pokhara first, but that being a long bone-jarring bitch of a ride (I'm paraphrasing but accurately), I should break it up with a stay in Bandipur. Also, did I really want to follow up 30 hours of travel time with the chaos that is Kathmandu? Better to give myself a soft landing and start the journey in the much more manageable town of Bhaktapur, which happens to be only 15 minutes from the int'l airport. </div><div><br /></div><div>And this is how I ended up beginning my Nepalese adventures in the UNESCO world heritage city of Bhaktapur. From that moment forward, every good thing that happened (and there were a lot of good things) had Bishwo's fingerprints all over them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like much of the Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. The effort to rebuild the multitude of affected historic buildings is being partly funded by a $12 tourist fee. This is a daily fee but can be extended for up to a week. I already knew about this going in but what I did not expect was an overzealous ticket pusher jumping in front of my taxi and demanding payment before I even had a chance to check in at the hostel. For context, I should point out that in order to save money, I had waved off all the airport taxis and hailed this guy off the street. He had no clue where we were going and kept asking me things like "Should I turn here?" No, brother. I just landed. I don't even know what your currency is called, don't be asking me for directions. This is strictly a Google Map situation. So, understandably, he was as confused by this man demanding 1500 Rupees as I was. Suddenly, as if some 'tourist in distress' signal had gone out, Bishwo appeared, explaining to the man that I would be happy to pay but he needed to let me settle in first. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hell yes, I needed a moment. In addition to the 30 hours it took me to go from Miami to NY to Doha to Kathmandu, there were an additional 2.5 hours just to get my "on-arrival" visa. My advice, having been through it, you should fill out the <a href="http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa">application</a> online before arrival, screenshot the approval page and don't hesitate to throws elbows to get into whatever line is moving. There is no rhyme or reason to the process, so don't try to figure it out. Just get to the front of the payment line, give them $50 cash- the 'credit cards accepted' signs are a lie- and then push your way to the front of the immigration line. It is the only way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Normally my game plan when drastically changing time zones is to stay up until night time to get on the right schedule. For example, Nepal is 10 hrs and 45 minutes ahead of Miami- not 10 hrs or 11 hrs, 10:45. No clue why. But I was a frazzled, exhausted mess badly in need of a nap so nap I did. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I awoke, Bishwo had written out a list of what I needed to see while in Bhaktapur, along with suggestions for the remainder of my time. It was like he was speaking my love language. His first recommendation: forget the guidebook, lose the map, just wander the streets and get a feel for the city (voice inside my head: surely he doesn't mean google maps, there is zero chance you will find your way back without it). I took him up on advice, heading out in the general direction of Durbar (or Royal) Square.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcqkAHiah8AMzBoMdo3pHEMnW3Dstt5m3fpMdn4A8X12zlZx9LR_3Y8oSWGjfT817k1bXIHW2KugVgwLjPoUAgU30DEoBC6MoXclyH_i6sSYn-Ldw-khcPztvlwwo7xc5xG1MperfX0Jn47uS8uvJ8Q4ao9EEHYwvDPF0YpasD8i7mNjaf_SkWPf6z2aL/s4032/IMG_7809.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcqkAHiah8AMzBoMdo3pHEMnW3Dstt5m3fpMdn4A8X12zlZx9LR_3Y8oSWGjfT817k1bXIHW2KugVgwLjPoUAgU30DEoBC6MoXclyH_i6sSYn-Ldw-khcPztvlwwo7xc5xG1MperfX0Jn47uS8uvJ8Q4ao9EEHYwvDPF0YpasD8i7mNjaf_SkWPf6z2aL/w480-h640/IMG_7809.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighGzJbGOf5RjVfCTHc0D-ZD7Ko_2FtaGFEOdvzkP3cbxTJ1HiDUSmxdnKy5kK4_NBItfhSPf-MRa7QXP1FtFYtChYfR47yvFoQPbel6ihkI8pjJ8AJYboHQEZzimw3yRLrjSaQkhE_Wu5nDjxFoWUd0udcNsSSZX_Oz8P3eI4IhpUeFeBCIDy1e9sJhsN/s4032/IMG_7814.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighGzJbGOf5RjVfCTHc0D-ZD7Ko_2FtaGFEOdvzkP3cbxTJ1HiDUSmxdnKy5kK4_NBItfhSPf-MRa7QXP1FtFYtChYfR47yvFoQPbel6ihkI8pjJ8AJYboHQEZzimw3yRLrjSaQkhE_Wu5nDjxFoWUd0udcNsSSZX_Oz8P3eI4IhpUeFeBCIDy1e9sJhsN/w480-h640/IMG_7814.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPoJJ51oQFYXIvMytg1H9CSsCUIX4WDgZOq99oqM5eR2ja0jNcZFchij_ACN9nGvPTyJgBQTvSBjXyC7WwoZ7gmKLB-IxfiBwV4XgWlGeiN3PWif33Z01Y5MxzXZlRRjXElg3MLtr1k7xGcOoRSmD5MDNA3vndeu1UF-p0oZb0ICQcZeBlGiAu_6_C-N9/s4032/IMG_7815.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPoJJ51oQFYXIvMytg1H9CSsCUIX4WDgZOq99oqM5eR2ja0jNcZFchij_ACN9nGvPTyJgBQTvSBjXyC7WwoZ7gmKLB-IxfiBwV4XgWlGeiN3PWif33Z01Y5MxzXZlRRjXElg3MLtr1k7xGcOoRSmD5MDNA3vndeu1UF-p0oZb0ICQcZeBlGiAu_6_C-N9/w480-h640/IMG_7815.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In those first couple of hours, I was struck by a couple of things. The first was how traditional everything felt. There were nods to modernism but for the most part, it felt like this area probably looked just like this 100 years ago. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9npcRTznN9oSSvnJO1sksAPcvo3rhCiWAvLbfVYuAHEjPEAF4HWadBsGlEOHGkh-9CxU4q9blUJP2581F2GKYKWiRwzrywx4Gj9-ZfHzf0UuJFmMUSkAgBTq0Sa1xY7dGoX2K1LI7Kl7Ax1G5XxViDH5awmoG9ZBoyxfGMGmFhwCRIIUYFKpKOpZJ_F_N/s4032/IMG_7817.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9npcRTznN9oSSvnJO1sksAPcvo3rhCiWAvLbfVYuAHEjPEAF4HWadBsGlEOHGkh-9CxU4q9blUJP2581F2GKYKWiRwzrywx4Gj9-ZfHzf0UuJFmMUSkAgBTq0Sa1xY7dGoX2K1LI7Kl7Ax1G5XxViDH5awmoG9ZBoyxfGMGmFhwCRIIUYFKpKOpZJ_F_N/w480-h640/IMG_7817.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HiW26I6k38aIy1tW5As3RZb08fOJV9gJTbt_JOh2daIs4OiYYTvHnj6y5Tk7a1_iG55hClSnImRKjkBAPXL26JpGJPpzORIDfCqRfeomPOsMsqcXKUxoyC-btwWwdJ3GoMOhyphenhyphen_XEINpoJnPH8tjkbZ7Qlc7x3pMMKsaT_OyLa-c0GljxmS4GnFUTYKi9/s4032/IMG_7819.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HiW26I6k38aIy1tW5As3RZb08fOJV9gJTbt_JOh2daIs4OiYYTvHnj6y5Tk7a1_iG55hClSnImRKjkBAPXL26JpGJPpzORIDfCqRfeomPOsMsqcXKUxoyC-btwWwdJ3GoMOhyphenhyphen_XEINpoJnPH8tjkbZ7Qlc7x3pMMKsaT_OyLa-c0GljxmS4GnFUTYKi9/w480-h640/IMG_7819.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpJH4t8VETUny0n9WGTTjYyJ1Mjz2aPqets8cDIQN0RKeH64iYz8nq4MYXNRYVVJ2Rf883AGCjQRvrbQKUxzlH766OPjy-GMHnTKcRNnSyDV8h59PX3eYB5NkmpKMXT2MpUShVQPUoDuX1vOXwl1sRB9GEG3YuHzPcDLAmhBz6pMKKvLWZQOokp_XU3dF/s4032/IMG_7823.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpJH4t8VETUny0n9WGTTjYyJ1Mjz2aPqets8cDIQN0RKeH64iYz8nq4MYXNRYVVJ2Rf883AGCjQRvrbQKUxzlH766OPjy-GMHnTKcRNnSyDV8h59PX3eYB5NkmpKMXT2MpUShVQPUoDuX1vOXwl1sRB9GEG3YuHzPcDLAmhBz6pMKKvLWZQOokp_XU3dF/w480-h640/IMG_7823.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With cars banned in most of the squares, there was also much less traffic than I had expected. There were still plenty of scooters buzzing by willy nilly to keep you on your toes but compared to other places (I'm talking to you, Kathmandu), this was a veritable walk in the park.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF3IljKvwrBebR7LmOrGvN_rdXJqItNJ7nARTqBODoKIjGfnLWDd4Oiaf5RZEmRV9YzcDx8mebyc_qdciGPlcuRiwGx__tHBbZlq1YDa2FciTaO1Co5-lMO3PVssd2lTmLW6uG5E-usAVbz5dJ5eF1fUTiTX0q8gsJjTWkLQwz7DIZwhARHrKszJmB4_c/s4032/IMG_7830.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF3IljKvwrBebR7LmOrGvN_rdXJqItNJ7nARTqBODoKIjGfnLWDd4Oiaf5RZEmRV9YzcDx8mebyc_qdciGPlcuRiwGx__tHBbZlq1YDa2FciTaO1Co5-lMO3PVssd2lTmLW6uG5E-usAVbz5dJ5eF1fUTiTX0q8gsJjTWkLQwz7DIZwhARHrKszJmB4_c/w480-h640/IMG_7830.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BjEIRZh7UqxkFb5pWHAFhfHbibMpWXW4HFeEDNBXamqRtFWDs9phq53O-BaW7MsTBExV5iRfwPFFvr_6tAK-5u_heq7vyQq06NFNAxZy4iLJerVBkhZ9eSLsv8Q9qk5SCSgf8hK5SdlBi3fZvMsE07JZJhV0raO0YfBWez04pY9SOSyA_vDd14QVaGZ3/s4032/IMG_7831.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BjEIRZh7UqxkFb5pWHAFhfHbibMpWXW4HFeEDNBXamqRtFWDs9phq53O-BaW7MsTBExV5iRfwPFFvr_6tAK-5u_heq7vyQq06NFNAxZy4iLJerVBkhZ9eSLsv8Q9qk5SCSgf8hK5SdlBi3fZvMsE07JZJhV0raO0YfBWez04pY9SOSyA_vDd14QVaGZ3/w640-h480/IMG_7831.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>Observation #3: this was one artsy city. Everywhere you looked, people were engaged in the act of creating. Whether it was pottery, thangka painting, wood carving or knitting, everyone was engaged in artful pursuits. I thought I had an in to make a connection and approached several groups of knitting ladies, announcing that I too was a knitter. It was not physically possible for them to have been any less impressed. I chalked it up to a language issue and showed them pictures of my current project. Nope, they have been knitting since the day they were born and simply not going to be wowed by my Stephen West mystery knit-a-long. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNomsMr3GD1I_-mHuHGRZZZ2s1eUedu99hczGxinJ1K3TE2NKb2aTxh6E5QHK8mFQVY4ZMJWdPjoHV-VS8JOIbD57u1_Ts6b4qqdsqWRwEk-JD04NkBmnGmL5-az2plwxUsp_WvqATsNHHFaleYBtW5bsO_ep58j1Cy7hDCjc3dYXr__WnihwjuUocVsCB/s4032/IMG_7834.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNomsMr3GD1I_-mHuHGRZZZ2s1eUedu99hczGxinJ1K3TE2NKb2aTxh6E5QHK8mFQVY4ZMJWdPjoHV-VS8JOIbD57u1_Ts6b4qqdsqWRwEk-JD04NkBmnGmL5-az2plwxUsp_WvqATsNHHFaleYBtW5bsO_ep58j1Cy7hDCjc3dYXr__WnihwjuUocVsCB/w480-h640/IMG_7834.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbMJ0GMoq2Cgu7J4DCmCp5Ob6Ox62ba7QfGeR2LP8YHENpqm81iqYw78b3BYxceXed_nllG_WHTKna5b3hu-D9r4xsWa55zppZuCKLPqBpUX-rVKjmW-w6aI0y_Wl0T07pK6-gzD4uKvOg61XDpQONk3nsxyCMBf892MPBYqgYHQqe647FgduHKZVkQ-5/s4032/IMG_7837.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbMJ0GMoq2Cgu7J4DCmCp5Ob6Ox62ba7QfGeR2LP8YHENpqm81iqYw78b3BYxceXed_nllG_WHTKna5b3hu-D9r4xsWa55zppZuCKLPqBpUX-rVKjmW-w6aI0y_Wl0T07pK6-gzD4uKvOg61XDpQONk3nsxyCMBf892MPBYqgYHQqe647FgduHKZVkQ-5/w480-h640/IMG_7837.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ072i-s_8yxZeD6jzVxLeayaw3U2wAFKKWKxro7Z8vceEHAD0gNIA7v2Fbqh0XMA6lKirukGeMHiRWeG-y7rId1X01RJHXyv_6T105uY6jVM-yxSfO6DLWRQ14Orj1vmFsHkQOzDaSTEIfNeHRBsWtULcF3c12QqGc65rGYnV6osafcY3NRhPcgzSOCJi/s4032/IMG_7840.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ072i-s_8yxZeD6jzVxLeayaw3U2wAFKKWKxro7Z8vceEHAD0gNIA7v2Fbqh0XMA6lKirukGeMHiRWeG-y7rId1X01RJHXyv_6T105uY6jVM-yxSfO6DLWRQ14Orj1vmFsHkQOzDaSTEIfNeHRBsWtULcF3c12QqGc65rGYnV6osafcY3NRhPcgzSOCJi/w480-h640/IMG_7840.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLKRspBpORa8TItXrWO_RHBZ3x-kMfwgSlq_XboNl0tU0Jt2EYE5Gz7ZVirsLM4HcO0NikVrjpHdySfRuBXIi45phgXrK4kY2AQGRP72LY40KA5vYDY0fIvNLaFCY0E0dlHiZ5V-fiOM4LYBNE9U6bGyWpj2l9PkZZSt9k9Pd4jTu7spKnoMeOffoMAni/s4032/IMG_7842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLKRspBpORa8TItXrWO_RHBZ3x-kMfwgSlq_XboNl0tU0Jt2EYE5Gz7ZVirsLM4HcO0NikVrjpHdySfRuBXIi45phgXrK4kY2AQGRP72LY40KA5vYDY0fIvNLaFCY0E0dlHiZ5V-fiOM4LYBNE9U6bGyWpj2l9PkZZSt9k9Pd4jTu7spKnoMeOffoMAni/w640-h480/IMG_7842.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySAFJXWeTTJUH7kkE7V6fkKtlR-EXgPiLzY1oD-AThyC4ewUXF_fEjOtCQ8FSJtC1LrCH9O51QXOiQQrrDJALCdwORhvc0d6_lhkHXlzhHo4bPuayMNIElhZDysK3XGP5UUk4DTcvNnZ1nTQCMVsxmnpl7L2_QM6Yo1I4pXGDhVxWbFX64mnKuQ9NXstO/s4032/IMG_7843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySAFJXWeTTJUH7kkE7V6fkKtlR-EXgPiLzY1oD-AThyC4ewUXF_fEjOtCQ8FSJtC1LrCH9O51QXOiQQrrDJALCdwORhvc0d6_lhkHXlzhHo4bPuayMNIElhZDysK3XGP5UUk4DTcvNnZ1nTQCMVsxmnpl7L2_QM6Yo1I4pXGDhVxWbFX64mnKuQ9NXstO/w480-h640/IMG_7843.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With such a wealth of artful commerce, you would expect to be constantly accosted by persistent touts but thankfully that wasn't the case. They were downright chill. Even with a unexpectedly low number of tourists, they would Namaste, point to their wares and generally leave you alone to browse. </div><div><br /></div><div>The entirety of the city was essentially an open air museum. Following Bishwo's advice, I just wandered the streets admiring the many temples, stupas and statues. It was only my first day but I was already in happy awe.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0XAzuGGUoymkHCIN62OW7mGYQwIX6VA9tcwp0IqJO0VcyDpWjgDCL47JEOfusH_JKyG9opor6b81E8b1kkzdjbXG4g8e3hOhRC99-iYAKwNgoTb0L8P_QVv3ifpteMAjLRu2Z1BlhPdJT79B9Ejqc-8Y8DHuJKfUOAHy5c1I7EW-0b55KUcz5AHWuJfx/s4032/IMG_7845.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0XAzuGGUoymkHCIN62OW7mGYQwIX6VA9tcwp0IqJO0VcyDpWjgDCL47JEOfusH_JKyG9opor6b81E8b1kkzdjbXG4g8e3hOhRC99-iYAKwNgoTb0L8P_QVv3ifpteMAjLRu2Z1BlhPdJT79B9Ejqc-8Y8DHuJKfUOAHy5c1I7EW-0b55KUcz5AHWuJfx/w480-h640/IMG_7845.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_dDZFX1PwM_1-Xz5OiZdCSP0AsqW7sZF88x3qDomlv8tJBrrsuaWweqzq-SamBoXhgz9ty-xItr9zGwhDRpccaWLgWIl6SX66X1-w4JZhTzAB7NWKr4bjjsBE-vs_JnOtrSP61s8MKbA_xYKCIPTfQKgfLKxlIxjCGSUI7UKRS0kV4P3_7SHN9_djG-9/s4032/IMG_7847.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_dDZFX1PwM_1-Xz5OiZdCSP0AsqW7sZF88x3qDomlv8tJBrrsuaWweqzq-SamBoXhgz9ty-xItr9zGwhDRpccaWLgWIl6SX66X1-w4JZhTzAB7NWKr4bjjsBE-vs_JnOtrSP61s8MKbA_xYKCIPTfQKgfLKxlIxjCGSUI7UKRS0kV4P3_7SHN9_djG-9/w640-h480/IMG_7847.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrCdoh1NWpIZPq3dBTv9gT8rS3KuURj4TYpNlkBT8ev4Fmt7b1zlHJNZS-vOQbJpV0Lk3S6gZLaLV43Qr-cysqQm8APt7Sxo774QPnGy9LE-Pg1an9EJGHuc303um-8V7P0vabjAnez-evV4R1LBr7OV1S_JWWTHEqm59rcmuvg-ziTNXcsr19QmrR66k/s4032/IMG_7848.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrCdoh1NWpIZPq3dBTv9gT8rS3KuURj4TYpNlkBT8ev4Fmt7b1zlHJNZS-vOQbJpV0Lk3S6gZLaLV43Qr-cysqQm8APt7Sxo774QPnGy9LE-Pg1an9EJGHuc303um-8V7P0vabjAnez-evV4R1LBr7OV1S_JWWTHEqm59rcmuvg-ziTNXcsr19QmrR66k/w640-h480/IMG_7848.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvViz46M-RqB7s-sEfr2wx5FQ3ybPDCQAv7dv0oXnIrPgAMtjrkHNdYOrKtY_cHwqE4zIuPPDlPqbpe8aREOk0tqHqzuaFLuMD_BK_QNLCWS0Tdwoafy3mLcIGSl2XsfvTKxDcQu_npV-RrI8Ph7Z6IfWSzLKW7QuZF1cqQi5bG1rH56MJggistX8560T/s4032/IMG_7851.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvViz46M-RqB7s-sEfr2wx5FQ3ybPDCQAv7dv0oXnIrPgAMtjrkHNdYOrKtY_cHwqE4zIuPPDlPqbpe8aREOk0tqHqzuaFLuMD_BK_QNLCWS0Tdwoafy3mLcIGSl2XsfvTKxDcQu_npV-RrI8Ph7Z6IfWSzLKW7QuZF1cqQi5bG1rH56MJggistX8560T/w480-h640/IMG_7851.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfirluKISHF5W3-Ai2Hcle9zOkpY_toiqcS4WdYG57x7LMZMH9g4nC79iSeEhjWug5cOXPscs-mXoc7lXENe_MaongTh3MgKua9ZJ4zpoV-a-Iy-m1b_YnP3mlzVd9GKw5SuC2YtY-Ft4Ei98JyAh8z7yiIc72DPC7RM9UFvdSjQFlTkzzthSrusz19fKm/s4032/IMG_7853.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfirluKISHF5W3-Ai2Hcle9zOkpY_toiqcS4WdYG57x7LMZMH9g4nC79iSeEhjWug5cOXPscs-mXoc7lXENe_MaongTh3MgKua9ZJ4zpoV-a-Iy-m1b_YnP3mlzVd9GKw5SuC2YtY-Ft4Ei98JyAh8z7yiIc72DPC7RM9UFvdSjQFlTkzzthSrusz19fKm/w480-h640/IMG_7853.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As the sun began to set, I chose <a href="https://www.hotelgaruda.com.np/">a rooftop bar</a> to enjoy both the view and my first Nepalese beer. I'm happy to report, both were a 5 out of 5. A moment that stands out is when I asked the waiter what that jingly sound was. His response: "The temple. Always the temple! Every night, the temple and the bells!" Turns out that the temple across the street has nightly ceremonies that go heavy on the bells. What I thought was a charming cultural experience was this poor man's xmas music hell, with the added downside that I'm pretty sure this is year-round. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81sTUbGhVVTLVW7-GpaOOJzRppzrA4JZoz5O2KskY1PlGlUaZbeEPzH1s3_HAmW2gwlcFCjMzXHf9ep5Pc_YaaogpecW6mhVQvdfqgGmSEpnvkbdumKnt7Lz-L22kSQT0qLD3Vc571l8ksWbkrHeD919Q3_dGI0vTZwNrnfzalo_scTNETJS0NKpT2I1A/s4032/IMG_7860.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81sTUbGhVVTLVW7-GpaOOJzRppzrA4JZoz5O2KskY1PlGlUaZbeEPzH1s3_HAmW2gwlcFCjMzXHf9ep5Pc_YaaogpecW6mhVQvdfqgGmSEpnvkbdumKnt7Lz-L22kSQT0qLD3Vc571l8ksWbkrHeD919Q3_dGI0vTZwNrnfzalo_scTNETJS0NKpT2I1A/w640-h480/IMG_7860.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PsC0zvy4JJdomR31jtqZbfkxCXPxyp_4XddmDzT-Y4sJhFDpFTWCRPwXamZalLJduRdXBQ8hSVdUtoXp-j-UlaNOiADta5u0GDI65eXIhAc0fdxXXbiASp8bxApAoidBAXWiKfwiHP4Kst9B1OohYPyGMG3WN6ctB0-OD-4Wt4rfC1S-RlSxKozhNj8M/s4032/IMG_7877.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PsC0zvy4JJdomR31jtqZbfkxCXPxyp_4XddmDzT-Y4sJhFDpFTWCRPwXamZalLJduRdXBQ8hSVdUtoXp-j-UlaNOiADta5u0GDI65eXIhAc0fdxXXbiASp8bxApAoidBAXWiKfwiHP4Kst9B1OohYPyGMG3WN6ctB0-OD-4Wt4rfC1S-RlSxKozhNj8M/w480-h640/IMG_7877.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I had initially planned on running home before dark, unsure about the safety situation in this unknown land. It may have been the Yeti talking (the beer, not the furry mystical beast), but from my vantage point, nothing about this town felt threatening. I ended up staying and enjoying the sunset (and the bells) before returning to join Bishwo and the rest of the Swastik crew for dinner and drinks. </div><div><br /></div><div>He suggested I spend the next day relaxing, quickly realized he was dealing with fomo personified and ably changed tacks. He had some free time later the next day and was willing to show me around. </div><div><br /></div><div>The day began with a visit to a local tea shop. I am not much of a tea drinker but I have to admit this was pretty good. This was not a tea bag steeped in hot water type of place, there were multiple ingredients, a whole lot of stirring and secret recipes involved. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzuT8xwzBZZplc8e06ncvcBdKqzJBxHNu8NiDyav-tsYaKvijSmZDYlJsUC7mGVPO3u_ZU5n3vJpIaUY6zeI8UB9hRjOoMbWsXNywYJkTTDr6MB6xe6uyuwmCXGd6IGwhg9Yh79P5wJG_EfZ82w0SrBbhiWMLPpmRBr-9gtRlpjLWXtMlvhj9QIw9iRdj/s4032/IMG_7884.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzuT8xwzBZZplc8e06ncvcBdKqzJBxHNu8NiDyav-tsYaKvijSmZDYlJsUC7mGVPO3u_ZU5n3vJpIaUY6zeI8UB9hRjOoMbWsXNywYJkTTDr6MB6xe6uyuwmCXGd6IGwhg9Yh79P5wJG_EfZ82w0SrBbhiWMLPpmRBr-9gtRlpjLWXtMlvhj9QIw9iRdj/w480-h640/IMG_7884.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When he went back to work at the hostel, I set off to find the elusive peacock window, considered to be one of the finest examples of Newar carvings. Somewhere along the way, I must admit I got a bit distracted.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYpke8Y2nUzPBCE8WiOwBqsGEso8Roh7S_SPATZ_LliGEA6wR1Qb3zGROjvKIUUzD9z0-7yre9J1mmCz1S3bzmRQBkRmjkgjCkKwkNbm0Dri36jW2u4mWQrceCj3ZVv5b1rOrMcIIfqXMMml5WX5T9IG5W30fDwdg5qOSRH4Cg9zVz4-bgBjUDh5ixtUg/s4032/IMG_7895.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYpke8Y2nUzPBCE8WiOwBqsGEso8Roh7S_SPATZ_LliGEA6wR1Qb3zGROjvKIUUzD9z0-7yre9J1mmCz1S3bzmRQBkRmjkgjCkKwkNbm0Dri36jW2u4mWQrceCj3ZVv5b1rOrMcIIfqXMMml5WX5T9IG5W30fDwdg5qOSRH4Cg9zVz4-bgBjUDh5ixtUg/w480-h640/IMG_7895.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I was happily admiring one of the many temples, some carvings caught my eye. Hold up, that's not a Hindu deity! Is that what hair salons were like back in the day?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeMJPyaFKswSBXyd5fB9EV8eEvHIVdOru3mbCLOgwFEDOKDJJ-_9ugGQjdsyqB0R4814TQsBnzkKbvtCxQ-hgbkJzsPy_cEVKJ9xo9pcebGeoPkIJ1HSaE1cfpiPFQ_J_CnfTVB-ZarcVQ0w8Ht7ZpzD1QR1cOtzXZ7Lktv88gm_Oq3n6J05zNUIBNx1I/s4032/IMG_7896.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeMJPyaFKswSBXyd5fB9EV8eEvHIVdOru3mbCLOgwFEDOKDJJ-_9ugGQjdsyqB0R4814TQsBnzkKbvtCxQ-hgbkJzsPy_cEVKJ9xo9pcebGeoPkIJ1HSaE1cfpiPFQ_J_CnfTVB-ZarcVQ0w8Ht7ZpzD1QR1cOtzXZ7Lktv88gm_Oq3n6J05zNUIBNx1I/w480-h640/IMG_7896.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDGQgSXxZfdd8Qrj725uY9KJ4tW-fgIzn2p3o1Bigi2k4kI25XPpsA2Vbax2baFQWjk1PrjzVSn-9LbJQf9ceDaUl57-RTa6LWnsO6U8b8uOWBJ4zkrnwQeDbao0HiTmqoWnEXYq2pDDzesecfoKcg9ihevUcctZ7rv6z0Vgg2H5p-w-HbPxbwUznLQWK/s4032/IMG_7897.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDGQgSXxZfdd8Qrj725uY9KJ4tW-fgIzn2p3o1Bigi2k4kI25XPpsA2Vbax2baFQWjk1PrjzVSn-9LbJQf9ceDaUl57-RTa6LWnsO6U8b8uOWBJ4zkrnwQeDbao0HiTmqoWnEXYq2pDDzesecfoKcg9ihevUcctZ7rv6z0Vgg2H5p-w-HbPxbwUznLQWK/w480-h640/IMG_7897.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Was everyone this flexible?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU6OKdmBT6HSUYvTo3LmoQAabUbnEFvQ68tQrowMA5Ug8sv-yYbIn0cTraaR9rOmxm691V5H5cmaU-8Y53MAoOgaYQZBaPSUDzl4Ba-lLWNN6-u5cul49QRIXNcpCykXfhznkgj7Loe7fL-499JMmGu6Uhh2NUt_JEFGsx8rIn0z1pK_o5axC5Rc_EHe6/s4032/IMG_7898.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU6OKdmBT6HSUYvTo3LmoQAabUbnEFvQ68tQrowMA5Ug8sv-yYbIn0cTraaR9rOmxm691V5H5cmaU-8Y53MAoOgaYQZBaPSUDzl4Ba-lLWNN6-u5cul49QRIXNcpCykXfhznkgj7Loe7fL-499JMmGu6Uhh2NUt_JEFGsx8rIn0z1pK_o5axC5Rc_EHe6/w480-h640/IMG_7898.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuxASgsgrWujWDNyXXUg2Ri5AJwkr-XwGUB4YzgHaryjnQI8vBQuRL10ZGA5tt0chouM9QQURQomtrCAPezVMMynZBnNZDU7El0FUFJoId8qxU32sXf9WFBeYLSlNOSgmF4mqsRvGzpGl68tmnDVVWZmxb7kvHKrhx-wjxryi8qRhoPCPwipfleFXRVFI/s4032/IMG_7899.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuxASgsgrWujWDNyXXUg2Ri5AJwkr-XwGUB4YzgHaryjnQI8vBQuRL10ZGA5tt0chouM9QQURQomtrCAPezVMMynZBnNZDU7El0FUFJoId8qxU32sXf9WFBeYLSlNOSgmF4mqsRvGzpGl68tmnDVVWZmxb7kvHKrhx-wjxryi8qRhoPCPwipfleFXRVFI/w480-h640/IMG_7899.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was one freaky deaky temple! Its neighbor, the window known as 'the Mona Lisa of Nepal' was much more sedate. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y43eXIVl-vsP0jj1NMvhXFL1he2M45JMG_KBcuXEjHJ4XGDBPeZkdlsv_eEhHo2iBrGeKqXMKd8oq8tcLNScumJDHtflRcTIdSx6MHlrDfkcQWkXCTJ00ahRCbAacpqcc2ddMtkUgIDpBjxQwklj6R1E0dXxV_ug90MFO6P9_oVU2ZYkij6emONBc6M4/s4032/IMG_7900.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y43eXIVl-vsP0jj1NMvhXFL1he2M45JMG_KBcuXEjHJ4XGDBPeZkdlsv_eEhHo2iBrGeKqXMKd8oq8tcLNScumJDHtflRcTIdSx6MHlrDfkcQWkXCTJ00ahRCbAacpqcc2ddMtkUgIDpBjxQwklj6R1E0dXxV_ug90MFO6P9_oVU2ZYkij6emONBc6M4/w640-h480/IMG_7900.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HlMYdyUEUf2KVuVMz6fhhKG1eZm6C9bIBaiM66PgWl-SUmsbo72FSME1L4R1qC7WDkJa0hYX3Jqy1Adn1LmHNnhKy6ddEEv5DAgjyi3ptrVqtkvIn1CFez7vsPnPvHvkY_i47j7NzhBuw2uriJV4QRFIIwJZnbfMIoqudnOKXYnsjdXzzL3YEEvMFOio/s4032/IMG_7905.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HlMYdyUEUf2KVuVMz6fhhKG1eZm6C9bIBaiM66PgWl-SUmsbo72FSME1L4R1qC7WDkJa0hYX3Jqy1Adn1LmHNnhKy6ddEEv5DAgjyi3ptrVqtkvIn1CFez7vsPnPvHvkY_i47j7NzhBuw2uriJV4QRFIIwJZnbfMIoqudnOKXYnsjdXzzL3YEEvMFOio/w480-h640/IMG_7905.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Across from the famed window, there is a store/ museum where they make paper using traditional methods.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uwDZXN7dz4uT6TU8eazjRdz88pfN-gE_wfZRNbChMw3qb14lTTMfMGk8AkGT-nXiD1tzTRFVeD8TEhs7jZbh4j1xXbPJEn-Y4iyEI-OQLg76NHmPbi7-lkE2V082aHeBvGQ8qiM1SEMJmVEjhDW-2bj_rMvw7cnS7CuP96wVv-GffcQogfXfLHpP2ASY/s4032/IMG_7907.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uwDZXN7dz4uT6TU8eazjRdz88pfN-gE_wfZRNbChMw3qb14lTTMfMGk8AkGT-nXiD1tzTRFVeD8TEhs7jZbh4j1xXbPJEn-Y4iyEI-OQLg76NHmPbi7-lkE2V082aHeBvGQ8qiM1SEMJmVEjhDW-2bj_rMvw7cnS7CuP96wVv-GffcQogfXfLHpP2ASY/w640-h480/IMG_7907.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No estupidos allowed</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Once you enter the store, you can continue through a courtyard to a three story building where in addition to the paper making process, you can see all kinds of ancient carvings. Or you could find a half open door and mistake it for the museum- for people who make paper for a living, you would think there would be a bit more signage- and enter to find yourself in a stranger's home. Specifically, I was in some lady's dining room. The fact that she just stared at me beatifically indicated that she is either the most enlightened soul alive or that she has an enviable collection of tourist corpses that somehow get repurposed into handmade stationary. Whichever the case may be, I made it into the actual museum and was thoroughly impressed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAjADl_ZFC2GOJvf4D7U2XzQl0pGoEKBy3fmposwPKwYX0q4_f-xJ7830ltLm2f90m_iCbCfXD3oSvEcAPwNIaZJJs6SXgrqGevQ_MRFoDd1D8E9oAbkfwsfjMyNpvF02PTTopzI-Wx2P8vqZ_aLUrav_Wgo_m3nE4E3F9vmHMmDH-8FMtSq2zo4OD0Sk/s4032/IMG_7910.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAjADl_ZFC2GOJvf4D7U2XzQl0pGoEKBy3fmposwPKwYX0q4_f-xJ7830ltLm2f90m_iCbCfXD3oSvEcAPwNIaZJJs6SXgrqGevQ_MRFoDd1D8E9oAbkfwsfjMyNpvF02PTTopzI-Wx2P8vqZ_aLUrav_Wgo_m3nE4E3F9vmHMmDH-8FMtSq2zo4OD0Sk/w640-h480/IMG_7910.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2WGLOz_TgzmUkSoD4QJ5nzJ6cAceB7cihK863xlcSrb5AZKIghrTXyAhkzhpWhV_wvgBR32HHU0LBGq57T1paeKaWz8MNu7eFjmMiKFIDZ-Y4mFMTGfvz_JJvGI4MSOsxaTcVldEYT9L8O7sJsiwMR_5fRxXr5qA-siYuxITPQWNR7UpMON0P-INZvEA/s4032/IMG_7913.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2WGLOz_TgzmUkSoD4QJ5nzJ6cAceB7cihK863xlcSrb5AZKIghrTXyAhkzhpWhV_wvgBR32HHU0LBGq57T1paeKaWz8MNu7eFjmMiKFIDZ-Y4mFMTGfvz_JJvGI4MSOsxaTcVldEYT9L8O7sJsiwMR_5fRxXr5qA-siYuxITPQWNR7UpMON0P-INZvEA/w640-h480/IMG_7913.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A5fzimyyBCHv4GAZXWZO9yBsBYn3ZbiGkrPBBLs-s1qz6WvALzhxlWTxgzDm8X4um_hoQEJwLI6lbXpNr_2v_3_Lkm3YZMfP8h83plNwAvK4xv7bGbs9sG2UpY_xBBbpHze8mjPo-erKrYkKPdKTAapWT2k602FX9nNIECe1YQuG0GPHzj3Em5OK34L2/s4032/IMG_7914.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A5fzimyyBCHv4GAZXWZO9yBsBYn3ZbiGkrPBBLs-s1qz6WvALzhxlWTxgzDm8X4um_hoQEJwLI6lbXpNr_2v_3_Lkm3YZMfP8h83plNwAvK4xv7bGbs9sG2UpY_xBBbpHze8mjPo-erKrYkKPdKTAapWT2k602FX9nNIECe1YQuG0GPHzj3Em5OK34L2/w480-h640/IMG_7914.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a quick lunch with a view, it was time to meet back up with Bishwo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0G5AYPqrgJLdckBkGgda_SHS2y1FVNtirVOXBzsIt28C25rV0luEFpiat_NNhGmdEd2cf0DuCJ1ny0EFasuhreeXgqYFUXdfAQbuliVFB7sS-HJ7nNNVfY4hdtFBhGofhMFhqrDGZab5A8GyswZCaw1JjD2aktTBzIC5ghoZLxJZ2dSnl9hgojFIG0FM/s4032/IMG_7942.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0G5AYPqrgJLdckBkGgda_SHS2y1FVNtirVOXBzsIt28C25rV0luEFpiat_NNhGmdEd2cf0DuCJ1ny0EFasuhreeXgqYFUXdfAQbuliVFB7sS-HJ7nNNVfY4hdtFBhGofhMFhqrDGZab5A8GyswZCaw1JjD2aktTBzIC5ghoZLxJZ2dSnl9hgojFIG0FM/w480-h640/IMG_7942.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had mentioned to him my pronounced aversion to two-wheeled conveyances. He responded by handing me a motorcycle helmet. Yes, that's correct. My hopes of a car were quickly dashed as we were going up into the mountains, often on pathways that could not be accurately described as roads on a motorcycle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our first stop was <a href="https://www.altitudehimalaya.com/blog/changu-narayan-temple#:~:text=Dating%20back%20to%20the%204th,by%20both%20Hindus%20and%20Buddhists.">Changu Narayan Temple</a>. Dating back to the 4th century, it is believed to be the oldest temple in Nepal. Today, it is a riot of color and carvings that rewards careful inspection. There was a Hindu holy man administering blessings and collecting donations. I normally leave that to the actual believers but seeing as there was a motorcycle involved, I left there all bindi'ed up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcZprq_Wq-180zqDxjvRmC-T9XqKE0h-7pfF4XMNuYsHIifmXBcGYfvi368WMZIjQvZ8FCx27lXRn1FzjTKNmSNr8rke38AhPn1Yf98HzjOPIj5As-GidvDfSVl9aZCpsUmEORZz9CQ7ZyZUciS0KfkUScZ05EZvlMv88f-vFMgzQPfLCroLod6JvFgZ/s4032/IMG_7951.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcZprq_Wq-180zqDxjvRmC-T9XqKE0h-7pfF4XMNuYsHIifmXBcGYfvi368WMZIjQvZ8FCx27lXRn1FzjTKNmSNr8rke38AhPn1Yf98HzjOPIj5As-GidvDfSVl9aZCpsUmEORZz9CQ7ZyZUciS0KfkUScZ05EZvlMv88f-vFMgzQPfLCroLod6JvFgZ/w640-h480/IMG_7951.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXb01T_HpCIt01ALhQOAlcOFqTjbHhBtY5WfVhIyxvznfh4f0WFdnU_2iztWZ3335RNvRKzwsxYGNgWhFGSWLM6WICHX_9O2jduwbhZKdJ1oYD9PJTACZap1fHb8iZ3wDKnyIcfVYeeYLc43eiDt4s0RCU_5L-Fhh64ADVlz8wU_F2mOR0cJdlw_nYhHO/s4032/IMG_7952.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXb01T_HpCIt01ALhQOAlcOFqTjbHhBtY5WfVhIyxvznfh4f0WFdnU_2iztWZ3335RNvRKzwsxYGNgWhFGSWLM6WICHX_9O2jduwbhZKdJ1oYD9PJTACZap1fHb8iZ3wDKnyIcfVYeeYLc43eiDt4s0RCU_5L-Fhh64ADVlz8wU_F2mOR0cJdlw_nYhHO/w640-h480/IMG_7952.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzbhye_A-cwgbxRxl2-V5BaKhPon3itUIhaDcKyrVFTXx1KTeA9kYveUKV-bwhucwAvz9luqSRCl9fLK35vQSnCcn8dKYcNHuDd54pETzZfPzGWynMEmnqJ_vRyIFFKkblMQGWkri6OyzFIJf7PiH6kymIz7Q-jLdufx0OhQvmmZpJAdJC4bj7tlrss2/s4032/IMG_7957.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlzbhye_A-cwgbxRxl2-V5BaKhPon3itUIhaDcKyrVFTXx1KTeA9kYveUKV-bwhucwAvz9luqSRCl9fLK35vQSnCcn8dKYcNHuDd54pETzZfPzGWynMEmnqJ_vRyIFFKkblMQGWkri6OyzFIJf7PiH6kymIz7Q-jLdufx0OhQvmmZpJAdJC4bj7tlrss2/w480-h640/IMG_7957.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVAPnBkDBXPwtfAugZfZvDmpu_Y-WOXPQC1MM_LCMlHTnMuEtfUTlMLrhukExk_62-JbHs6rWS94ZKdrhHE7VXxEdMEA14M2bAD0mUqRuWLeld6RQCAhD3J6x1gTxlG09xzUuXYKp2wC0X07UijDDJ-jfdu3uJByb23NmyEN1_XLVIQoQXWTGuAXcyRrD/s4032/IMG_7958.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVAPnBkDBXPwtfAugZfZvDmpu_Y-WOXPQC1MM_LCMlHTnMuEtfUTlMLrhukExk_62-JbHs6rWS94ZKdrhHE7VXxEdMEA14M2bAD0mUqRuWLeld6RQCAhD3J6x1gTxlG09xzUuXYKp2wC0X07UijDDJ-jfdu3uJByb23NmyEN1_XLVIQoQXWTGuAXcyRrD/w480-h640/IMG_7958.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7wcR1n0RWlBzb2h9Wt5b2G1v7pHelodbbISlB8DU2RFOohpuswZP1LVW_m6AsZmD97C33-VHQ1sBhqKYdlyeAvESQMlWJS0rloEUk_a24nuoihJlpV9IGuZbSBAY6sl5NOoPWMxFgLa-BmiS5-dXtGsVO8pIcx-Mc3_oo64J8__g6yOOgYXmVr1dyK5i/s4032/IMG_7959.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7wcR1n0RWlBzb2h9Wt5b2G1v7pHelodbbISlB8DU2RFOohpuswZP1LVW_m6AsZmD97C33-VHQ1sBhqKYdlyeAvESQMlWJS0rloEUk_a24nuoihJlpV9IGuZbSBAY6sl5NOoPWMxFgLa-BmiS5-dXtGsVO8pIcx-Mc3_oo64J8__g6yOOgYXmVr1dyK5i/w480-h640/IMG_7959.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uHpPx2l7hYw" width="320" youtube-src-id="uHpPx2l7hYw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It must have worked because we made it safely to a local park with amazing views. Note: all of the Kathmandu valley consists of amazing views, finding a shitty view would be truly noteworthy in this part of the world.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbl2J1LRFArBbZ_TGYRk2X75JzMqZVKhXACIxztu5WPMszw8ma1NgUDUPX1-8KkCujymmXz5dR5jM7mOQuO0dnpASaks2W69ZmtvwzcllMvtkriRVy8QL9XlVgFl5BPm-qvwhRNA2Y7Av-1lsgJG9OYOpO9ibIESBM7eySpAr36G66rnpWKme7VlnCuVs/s4032/IMG_7977.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbl2J1LRFArBbZ_TGYRk2X75JzMqZVKhXACIxztu5WPMszw8ma1NgUDUPX1-8KkCujymmXz5dR5jM7mOQuO0dnpASaks2W69ZmtvwzcllMvtkriRVy8QL9XlVgFl5BPm-qvwhRNA2Y7Av-1lsgJG9OYOpO9ibIESBM7eySpAr36G66rnpWKme7VlnCuVs/w640-h480/IMG_7977.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Speaking of, our next stop, the hilltop village of Nagarkot is known for having the most spectacular view of all, particularly at sunrise and sunset. People gather here to climb atop what is essentially a very tall lifeguard stand and wait for the sun to cast its glow on the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. With some luck, you can even see Mt Everest. We did not have that kind of luck, a bindi can only do so much, but we did get a pretty fantastic sunset.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S0i_xHX9uo2Wm5QzJ5R7U1sVKqlKFm53EM5Y8syxUyJ3VyRFKRILexXfxrD78IByltAll33_2ekLDuosxMhCQOiJ4fTOnk5H58DDUuaRUaMB3k7Fan5bQxG7z6q43JFzWMjLI73dW-VfmzFxrUxBLzUZYC0taMiePAHuBKZ0THSdcrqSzT06TiOwBaVa/s4032/IMG_7997.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S0i_xHX9uo2Wm5QzJ5R7U1sVKqlKFm53EM5Y8syxUyJ3VyRFKRILexXfxrD78IByltAll33_2ekLDuosxMhCQOiJ4fTOnk5H58DDUuaRUaMB3k7Fan5bQxG7z6q43JFzWMjLI73dW-VfmzFxrUxBLzUZYC0taMiePAHuBKZ0THSdcrqSzT06TiOwBaVa/w640-h480/IMG_7997.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8USZxrcwGco4xY36eJmTPDgl8Q5NLGsCkMTwERpBPgDKn2Y0ktzwkUo9hv082tnLiMEIesdJ8zL4R9REsAA0jtXKWnVM7XG_kByMMnGsHU8JXOvirFyjdHaoGuGIOCDm_7WrEp22nwWGwO8rDjn3C3NC0sjQK9y4OhFa_iAB0Up0d1terD_ZtUN7HwaF5/s4032/IMG_8005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8USZxrcwGco4xY36eJmTPDgl8Q5NLGsCkMTwERpBPgDKn2Y0ktzwkUo9hv082tnLiMEIesdJ8zL4R9REsAA0jtXKWnVM7XG_kByMMnGsHU8JXOvirFyjdHaoGuGIOCDm_7WrEp22nwWGwO8rDjn3C3NC0sjQK9y4OhFa_iAB0Up0d1terD_ZtUN7HwaF5/w640-h480/IMG_8005.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So much so that we returned the following morning to watch the sun make its triumphant return. It was a bit cloudy but we were beginning the day in the most scenic spot of the most scenic valley, so all was good. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlVucdLhVHWClbELkPyHaHRcTRA11N_DlLzOMcxfH3ElyrLbPwd3mZWlPtASkaLgyUs_5bH3TjF0Pow7ZOE8wTCDljdaHDsMuyK8hyphenhyphenHWYMfI71yJiL8D3IAFHz9bNasjt2x5qkqavIgIQ2Ha-90VG-BCjpw8n432NVrzm49r23OUQS83qSh8DFE-MD9ve/s4032/IMG_8025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlVucdLhVHWClbELkPyHaHRcTRA11N_DlLzOMcxfH3ElyrLbPwd3mZWlPtASkaLgyUs_5bH3TjF0Pow7ZOE8wTCDljdaHDsMuyK8hyphenhyphenHWYMfI71yJiL8D3IAFHz9bNasjt2x5qkqavIgIQ2Ha-90VG-BCjpw8n432NVrzm49r23OUQS83qSh8DFE-MD9ve/w640-h480/IMG_8025.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P-X8sQ7stC1rdhcgamaAjI7Ynikg4Gy82xYXLA7yZdJdO8fpbXtoTsYu9vqo4mBsrEmRHL4mBbX1D8s_-2PglDKL3LXB3DtXFwbFVFApHSwVaWFvrKw9GoSx_lZhXwOQC0inTq1I1JNGMxa6l9t2fBuJVCj2zniIJW1LAQB5d76zkVBSNdsxUjbb1gxl/s4032/IMG_8042.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P-X8sQ7stC1rdhcgamaAjI7Ynikg4Gy82xYXLA7yZdJdO8fpbXtoTsYu9vqo4mBsrEmRHL4mBbX1D8s_-2PglDKL3LXB3DtXFwbFVFApHSwVaWFvrKw9GoSx_lZhXwOQC0inTq1I1JNGMxa6l9t2fBuJVCj2zniIJW1LAQB5d76zkVBSNdsxUjbb1gxl/w640-h480/IMG_8042.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_egBgz7P67ZOt0wo_bQsj68uOsrqQJJefGeneb85fqsjfGNkqTzqmQK7RWo-iOEWW7SOw6EX_qb_eyVECJ5xbSRqTYrZGl9q1DU3rvfcKEhk_mbcMYtVdQAVoGLFZ4JFDFWTvpxwYSCPKN-zfX3TcbIgpMcrTUaBZQ7rjtp7QUlMAT3f6IVUKgt4NZJ5/s4032/IMG_8052.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_egBgz7P67ZOt0wo_bQsj68uOsrqQJJefGeneb85fqsjfGNkqTzqmQK7RWo-iOEWW7SOw6EX_qb_eyVECJ5xbSRqTYrZGl9q1DU3rvfcKEhk_mbcMYtVdQAVoGLFZ4JFDFWTvpxwYSCPKN-zfX3TcbIgpMcrTUaBZQ7rjtp7QUlMAT3f6IVUKgt4NZJ5/w640-h480/IMG_8052.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was my last day in Bhaktapur so I returned to Durbar Square, this time without the initial massive sleep deprivation. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlSkEHkca_f-tVwkAwI9K-9xTvPqxFgOgwauRTvUQY2mh0CIjvbbihUq8shSEGf4ULVfrJ5oSDm_KPTWmy2i8w1wzLsvKtGpOJf4vYmVpJEbZ5cF97CPncOozrOUj3yMlXvkUo_35-HFITTrlo-x89UvdADsVIZEaEiJAgQTiZ-3AYrvG-hqj_HFOKH7g/s4032/IMG_8056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlSkEHkca_f-tVwkAwI9K-9xTvPqxFgOgwauRTvUQY2mh0CIjvbbihUq8shSEGf4ULVfrJ5oSDm_KPTWmy2i8w1wzLsvKtGpOJf4vYmVpJEbZ5cF97CPncOozrOUj3yMlXvkUo_35-HFITTrlo-x89UvdADsVIZEaEiJAgQTiZ-3AYrvG-hqj_HFOKH7g/w640-h480/IMG_8056.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItDxDmIq5hE9sDTsY8hom2nlAKxob0oudHyWAu4_nGITMynE6fWoBAzafqjgjidZ-iXMGc1qToTg-9btVZ9mlh2QqraBoUoPZZ5qYxeC5cvi-UD6DvplpBBuG4dZEviQc3MlYElvziQRwByDi-8qXpvXUIpPVZ9CMPdkfUAPV3HHI0xWc46iGvc9tz99X/s4032/IMG_8058.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItDxDmIq5hE9sDTsY8hom2nlAKxob0oudHyWAu4_nGITMynE6fWoBAzafqjgjidZ-iXMGc1qToTg-9btVZ9mlh2QqraBoUoPZZ5qYxeC5cvi-UD6DvplpBBuG4dZEviQc3MlYElvziQRwByDi-8qXpvXUIpPVZ9CMPdkfUAPV3HHI0xWc46iGvc9tz99X/w360-h640/IMG_8058.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was time for me to try one of the city's many claims to fame, specifically the King of Curds, aka <a href="https://www.bhaktapur.com/discover/juju-dhau-kings-curd/">Juju Dhau</a>. This is a yogurt made from boiled buffalo's milk and served in tiny earthenware pots. I fully acknowledge that this sounds disgusting but trust me when I say that it kinda rocked. It was cool and refreshing and if someone were to open a juju dhau stand near my home, I would totally be a regular. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b4LZppSi9HZIICieMZg2Q-Sqk11Pk4roXAobtNPj5dgw7_PuKLjuvWF1iVF-Zv1IKsMyepBXTBiU96zgtqP0OaB_3Fm9AUt3_gjzWyZ10C1YvTjE5t54wt0gbtuf3KMWqLz_KXTV3dCeLPu-K5Oy0xYUonto64fE6pXJufInvbgeImnQSzrhTQPTNcAQ/s4032/IMG_8063.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b4LZppSi9HZIICieMZg2Q-Sqk11Pk4roXAobtNPj5dgw7_PuKLjuvWF1iVF-Zv1IKsMyepBXTBiU96zgtqP0OaB_3Fm9AUt3_gjzWyZ10C1YvTjE5t54wt0gbtuf3KMWqLz_KXTV3dCeLPu-K5Oy0xYUonto64fE6pXJufInvbgeImnQSzrhTQPTNcAQ/w480-h640/IMG_8063.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I was strolling with my creamy treat, what did I encounter but more kinky carvings. This time it was more of the zoological variety. A guide who saw me taking photos came over to explain that this was initially meant to be educational, showing a populace that may not have been literate how certain things worked. Seeing as those sheep and elephants were going at it missionary style, I believe there were a couple of flaws in this plan, but who am I to say. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCETCc1442Sg5nWG4GoDwelrCRLrK5hgSAYXH2Reg7MEHhGmCZQL0vYiOt3SHO-PAfg07yd96pyY0cU7J7938z4IRcUe2c4tZPsvstK7uLhcUOQlil2J233B3g3CLJe0aiEGyCxctCdtymVn90Qz0FBXshLxjUQDJOOQAhicuLe0rNTY68iBbcuiNUy9yj/s4032/IMG_8064.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCETCc1442Sg5nWG4GoDwelrCRLrK5hgSAYXH2Reg7MEHhGmCZQL0vYiOt3SHO-PAfg07yd96pyY0cU7J7938z4IRcUe2c4tZPsvstK7uLhcUOQlil2J233B3g3CLJe0aiEGyCxctCdtymVn90Qz0FBXshLxjUQDJOOQAhicuLe0rNTY68iBbcuiNUy9yj/w480-h640/IMG_8064.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdYkqY2oNuUwbseXwipKx3ZFtS5qXx0sTv35iu4LVtStfXfKoNtHcAtrDBviq-CPxmf0h3YQGD1-ndwFXjl9Sl6PL9mglcqaDqrMmbZjVpdKf3jZA7ZxUf3dBcWVf4EByLA2TgkuarmBi_wajAGewytZlEpKnk51oDkalgWbboKBZ4o-D91p0BaDQiGU2/s4032/IMG_8066.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdYkqY2oNuUwbseXwipKx3ZFtS5qXx0sTv35iu4LVtStfXfKoNtHcAtrDBviq-CPxmf0h3YQGD1-ndwFXjl9Sl6PL9mglcqaDqrMmbZjVpdKf3jZA7ZxUf3dBcWVf4EByLA2TgkuarmBi_wajAGewytZlEpKnk51oDkalgWbboKBZ4o-D91p0BaDQiGU2/w480-h640/IMG_8066.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n_F6_1CSMDNK2bLxeWD_HmNLNkLyvpH_buAuoezBzEa-y4jZP-AXfpWBSmdkSBI9kenoFcsm6JpuGtJ1QAYwkAaSbC_z_MZAMEhLmlrsrTbdXY-8ttxKuuMM0XoV6Mlq_KDtyYtBjQ6yJLgrL85TpBeVjMgw0QD253_4yFO5uKhqJZNd9l4JO4GZj1WE/s4032/IMG_8067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n_F6_1CSMDNK2bLxeWD_HmNLNkLyvpH_buAuoezBzEa-y4jZP-AXfpWBSmdkSBI9kenoFcsm6JpuGtJ1QAYwkAaSbC_z_MZAMEhLmlrsrTbdXY-8ttxKuuMM0XoV6Mlq_KDtyYtBjQ6yJLgrL85TpBeVjMgw0QD253_4yFO5uKhqJZNd9l4JO4GZj1WE/w480-h640/IMG_8067.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsyuPC2UQCzCdeQ_UBb-HntIOy3_UkpOhfgnKdg8IhfPY-HF36yhygAlCvHrNaR2_jHt1iT4CE5ymkeJoZv0fr-ZR4BUPnwQGKXvvNeEF5oIe0bUWOcaHHrEeJkvKlOP0u_RwjTeNilk87raNJJLK3dxruMhk2hw3c5pFn2CLRh98SYuD1G7oGQI0LqbN/s4032/IMG_8077.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsyuPC2UQCzCdeQ_UBb-HntIOy3_UkpOhfgnKdg8IhfPY-HF36yhygAlCvHrNaR2_jHt1iT4CE5ymkeJoZv0fr-ZR4BUPnwQGKXvvNeEF5oIe0bUWOcaHHrEeJkvKlOP0u_RwjTeNilk87raNJJLK3dxruMhk2hw3c5pFn2CLRh98SYuD1G7oGQI0LqbN/w640-h480/IMG_8077.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtNS1-MF0GsFyvm0dPytHi4K6CM1WYXSUJGbz3R3dR7rN7tc_opRtu_keFJ5jG66HbjPr977dX_IHtTMukHYAaaM2bTczdrx56TvVLHvvRQEx_6d9Lv3p1rF5ff3DEQkRA0MicJVRr_-ncfqoAFRV973rR36ySWvqR6ZRHxfAa4phr0fYY-lA8_yaCEY6/s4032/IMG_8085.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtNS1-MF0GsFyvm0dPytHi4K6CM1WYXSUJGbz3R3dR7rN7tc_opRtu_keFJ5jG66HbjPr977dX_IHtTMukHYAaaM2bTczdrx56TvVLHvvRQEx_6d9Lv3p1rF5ff3DEQkRA0MicJVRr_-ncfqoAFRV973rR36ySWvqR6ZRHxfAa4phr0fYY-lA8_yaCEY6/w480-h640/IMG_8085.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSk1i0EsyrAZKfiStlGoAHIebjHZN0DzUVx3p3fINFitlei13WZetXL1QO-42pmJkI0HVRAgXB-9r7caRZKuBop0Q8zUf2Fo-uVS-XhsIYRsisS-lpex6d1IVtBVHP9PMyE8IoI0bdGK0AdU-b8oy4G1a6m9qzB9Roe-eCuSDUftiXSCtMZxb9HZJUMt1/s4032/IMG_8088.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSk1i0EsyrAZKfiStlGoAHIebjHZN0DzUVx3p3fINFitlei13WZetXL1QO-42pmJkI0HVRAgXB-9r7caRZKuBop0Q8zUf2Fo-uVS-XhsIYRsisS-lpex6d1IVtBVHP9PMyE8IoI0bdGK0AdU-b8oy4G1a6m9qzB9Roe-eCuSDUftiXSCtMZxb9HZJUMt1/w640-h480/IMG_8088.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After two consecutive days on the motorcycle, I figured I had pushed my luck far enough and decided against one last afternoon ride. I was in Pottery Square, fresh from a misguided attempt at working a pottery wheel- apologies to the sad little cup that I never returned to pick up- when Bishwo text to see where I was. Minutes later, there he was. Somehow, I was heading back into the mountains, this time sans helmet. I was going to need a bigger bindi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stopped at the <a href="https://www.bhaktapur.com/discover/doleshwor-temple/">Doleshwor Mahadeva Temple</a>, before continuing further into the mountains. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv3caBCYv91XUhjN_O0z4ow-50uuKnWhrEbq95nwtbQRbJFKEAigYltRmYbkPshU7pTj4KHJydvv7pU9cjHp9IcU9Kc5RNaPHQvFg8qeke_VPaZodo4o5WgdIjnK92cwTz06qQo5w27d5t1GCUQxdtJ2L2w1jPP7wsVYCLY1Yyo1US3nfSzRGchLUDUF4/s4032/IMG_8099.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv3caBCYv91XUhjN_O0z4ow-50uuKnWhrEbq95nwtbQRbJFKEAigYltRmYbkPshU7pTj4KHJydvv7pU9cjHp9IcU9Kc5RNaPHQvFg8qeke_VPaZodo4o5WgdIjnK92cwTz06qQo5w27d5t1GCUQxdtJ2L2w1jPP7wsVYCLY1Yyo1US3nfSzRGchLUDUF4/w480-h640/IMG_8099.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>He mentioned that, along the way, there was a zipline, something that sounded intriguing given the beautiful setting. And then I saw the zipline. What in the Dutch ding ding hell is this? Why?? What is the purpose of strapping a fucking bicycle to a zipline and making the person pedal across? This is an insult to ziplines everywhere. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hXHBos6iq-U" width="320" youtube-src-id="hXHBos6iq-U"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The views at a nearby rooftop bar were predictably glorious. I was delighted that he had ignored all my protestations and insisted on bringing me up here, even if it was getting pretty chilly. He made me push past my discomfort of 2 wheeled death machines and I was that much the better for it. It really was the perfect place to hang out on my last night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTmN8Ga8qE7RIPzaVTtKwibW7W0MhWCkKZrRZnB8liV0BJGSKDQdylVpbacKZJoSumIlqdoOhqPOUE33QXi0ScpGd-j8gsaPMuBs6yy6KF_AbRVMJmIN5dT-1_a4Vv_ZBDztDFABH8P2QNlPQvhq8QkAa7vRwFKjTauW4cDwFg-I7QyxgeZek6Gb3op29/s4032/IMG_8108.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTmN8Ga8qE7RIPzaVTtKwibW7W0MhWCkKZrRZnB8liV0BJGSKDQdylVpbacKZJoSumIlqdoOhqPOUE33QXi0ScpGd-j8gsaPMuBs6yy6KF_AbRVMJmIN5dT-1_a4Vv_ZBDztDFABH8P2QNlPQvhq8QkAa7vRwFKjTauW4cDwFg-I7QyxgeZek6Gb3op29/w640-h480/IMG_8108.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Early the next morning, I had to make my way to Bandipur, the next town on my Bishwo-designed agenda. In order to get to the bus station with all my bags, I had asked him to set up a ride for me. As I waited for a car, what pulled up? The motorcycle, of course!! Yup, me and him with a standard issue flight attendant rollaboard wedged between us-on a motorcycle! If there is a more fitting ending to my time in Bhaktapur, I certainly can't think of it. And to tell the truth, I wouldn't have it any other way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iCIURDWyRiSB0Dd3PzhWQkbg3KOCoXx-l-uIU8-iN8PyLoBDbVSk59M9YP3ENj3OC9qUc60oIHHBfjirQLhAw4MZtH0drFI5SvrXIoV3KqZ6UugyPagCu5GtBP_ye9JSPYWKb6QAvb_J0Q5UhqrrFl3D36BwI-unTnY-i4hNRaQRTAoL_y1YFdpgjIZa/s4032/IMG_8114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iCIURDWyRiSB0Dd3PzhWQkbg3KOCoXx-l-uIU8-iN8PyLoBDbVSk59M9YP3ENj3OC9qUc60oIHHBfjirQLhAw4MZtH0drFI5SvrXIoV3KqZ6UugyPagCu5GtBP_ye9JSPYWKb6QAvb_J0Q5UhqrrFl3D36BwI-unTnY-i4hNRaQRTAoL_y1YFdpgjIZa/w480-h640/IMG_8114.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-31859433718372145042023-10-30T19:45:00.084-05:002023-11-02T08:08:33.314-05:00Rio: More like the Seven World Blunders, amirite?<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDJ1cgm93xh3HYa_pruAagWd54d2y7-TH89003_3IRodLoC6p70awapHoL6uV1lDevwAtlNsz8eryTc1elpOjkI6bWnzwqUS3P3kP0kzs_ocQscIeNgp-iacQcBY0nsuQeCNkkFM8L-_S8U2qvZempWZVgjrz22QIVmZQm3Ma1hhG9IdeSQ83GzpEmSdc/s3664/IMG_6917.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3664" data-original-width="2532" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDJ1cgm93xh3HYa_pruAagWd54d2y7-TH89003_3IRodLoC6p70awapHoL6uV1lDevwAtlNsz8eryTc1elpOjkI6bWnzwqUS3P3kP0kzs_ocQscIeNgp-iacQcBY0nsuQeCNkkFM8L-_S8U2qvZempWZVgjrz22QIVmZQm3Ma1hhG9IdeSQ83GzpEmSdc/w442-h640/IMG_6917.jpeg" width="442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a list maker by nature. If I have more than 5 things that need to get done, I won't rest easy until I have put pen to paper and cataloged each and every task, lest one gets accidentally forgotten. There's xmas lists, grocery lists, packing lists. I could make a list of my lists. Based on this lifelong habit, it goes to reason that I would give more weight to others' lists, as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take for example, the list of the Seven World Wonders. There was the original one, the <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/seven-wonders-ancient-world/">Ancient Wonders</a>, but seeing as humans destroyed six out of the seven (only the Pyramids of Giza remain), there was not much I could do with that one. Fast forward to 2007, when a Swiss company put on a contest to name the new seven world wonders. People throughout the world would vote online and on 07/07/07, a new list would be announced. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This I could work with. Of course, I had to visit all seven. It didn't hurt that I had head start, having already visited three of the winning entries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-sDldTKwW6_V3bhHK-XrxIwCkZt_lYdOn4edauaK0DHWQpsvFg1lbo6s2NaXgT-x6niok17ePm2778m0HM1vlgTWGlY3PmEagaN-71tRx2r6i6cxtaM96X4ulnXztsD1iZwDA5TGIC5r3nrfwwzFVnJ1lr2ZzQ0XovHucX7k_FevO8ZsNuUFSDk7BuB7/s4032/IMG_2219.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-sDldTKwW6_V3bhHK-XrxIwCkZt_lYdOn4edauaK0DHWQpsvFg1lbo6s2NaXgT-x6niok17ePm2778m0HM1vlgTWGlY3PmEagaN-71tRx2r6i6cxtaM96X4ulnXztsD1iZwDA5TGIC5r3nrfwwzFVnJ1lr2ZzQ0XovHucX7k_FevO8ZsNuUFSDk7BuB7/w640-h480/IMG_2219.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd been to the Colosseum in Rome many times, going back to the 80's.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kxCML65E-aRUsIvsOMfXJh-rJ9WMBQASPbkDftfIW6UlHi3mR_-blbe-Mf0oii1BQyd2CPGAJXYhbswA6J_K5NIHI4wIyNI0PEUwNyxrSbZxkVlXVWHw-1kuZy-IxZBMX0NHJwmkJTJLtENK5bnWkdeYX3hEHIBkmaNdu_J5dFTsDOiwL4luzvkIOgN6/s2560/Jordan%2044.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kxCML65E-aRUsIvsOMfXJh-rJ9WMBQASPbkDftfIW6UlHi3mR_-blbe-Mf0oii1BQyd2CPGAJXYhbswA6J_K5NIHI4wIyNI0PEUwNyxrSbZxkVlXVWHw-1kuZy-IxZBMX0NHJwmkJTJLtENK5bnWkdeYX3hEHIBkmaNdu_J5dFTsDOiwL4luzvkIOgN6/w480-h640/Jordan%2044.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2005, I spent a day awestruck in Petra, Jordan.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7s7eo2GwK3EsMZUF5Ovg5JfK4_F3Xe0_hiQfMkN33p2nJCzr5c1lyhB0hzvs3Dqw7TrPo7BNsJdzVouG9A2yNY3BLOiPpjPMHhRn58fdZAsPsgplANnicSjXVcQ8wtqG44M0FOp_KfP_yZpIhvEmbQsSn3rOB8vr3YpYjXQCt8CTB9p9zByUo5UuPFBYB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7s7eo2GwK3EsMZUF5Ovg5JfK4_F3Xe0_hiQfMkN33p2nJCzr5c1lyhB0hzvs3Dqw7TrPo7BNsJdzVouG9A2yNY3BLOiPpjPMHhRn58fdZAsPsgplANnicSjXVcQ8wtqG44M0FOp_KfP_yZpIhvEmbQsSn3rOB8vr3YpYjXQCt8CTB9p9zByUo5UuPFBYB=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In early '07, pre-list, I'd watched the sunrise over Machu Pichu.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was almost half the list right there. This just left four Wonders to be wandered. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-x1WprCoWS8E32Z1sHVUzucrVnMtn0YiUcsXm_e1rP5qSsorvmLwfte3jCc_D8QoimcX7MQzTUvw_n-knsrqUSMo-0ueK1s9AbuqhxynzRcSUPhM7c8RW5KElog6nCKMD8y_-7fEpftdwcdQxD2Ra8-9jLAFL9-Zrxfn_7GybsgOPBVMD-fYG0HGZOPJe" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-x1WprCoWS8E32Z1sHVUzucrVnMtn0YiUcsXm_e1rP5qSsorvmLwfte3jCc_D8QoimcX7MQzTUvw_n-knsrqUSMo-0ueK1s9AbuqhxynzRcSUPhM7c8RW5KElog6nCKMD8y_-7fEpftdwcdQxD2Ra8-9jLAFL9-Zrxfn_7GybsgOPBVMD-fYG0HGZOPJe=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hit up the Great Wall of China in 2008 (and then again in 2017).<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDBpOvEVLOP-Grb1RAFwcKXSEBLjf0A_q_0TWwMtnsdgydvd8Mp4aubBh3vr5_Qeq-0jK1-Mg5NVQjbwrmk5BSoANUJsTd-wNq80EtUrlU9BZ3DTFNj-aahSUo4kgOVsnLBwjCRofwIXnG6lL0oDH1UGtxtQrAjQS7vZ8zgICmFV_rXaTcwB8AG_vAszG0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDBpOvEVLOP-Grb1RAFwcKXSEBLjf0A_q_0TWwMtnsdgydvd8Mp4aubBh3vr5_Qeq-0jK1-Mg5NVQjbwrmk5BSoANUJsTd-wNq80EtUrlU9BZ3DTFNj-aahSUo4kgOVsnLBwjCRofwIXnG6lL0oDH1UGtxtQrAjQS7vZ8zgICmFV_rXaTcwB8AG_vAszG0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2009, I gasped at the beauty of the Taj Mahal.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpezGWNkdC-4eIxNEcotXMKnFo4spAtUSTqkXbPTdVUhfaBMo_drhMGYe-LZkgEwRrsTD3p66OG1c-qq9wkbHZSpytqNZzUrizGV3CLzjIRucFmaPP4TBSJw2SwPBTYCL1p0aNJdsDldkXh4OExMkgTlKe-wniejoNye-0XCJvVOyPAeA9Jxw6lv14cCt/s2048/Mexico-Yucatan%20271.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpezGWNkdC-4eIxNEcotXMKnFo4spAtUSTqkXbPTdVUhfaBMo_drhMGYe-LZkgEwRrsTD3p66OG1c-qq9wkbHZSpytqNZzUrizGV3CLzjIRucFmaPP4TBSJw2SwPBTYCL1p0aNJdsDldkXh4OExMkgTlKe-wniejoNye-0XCJvVOyPAeA9Jxw6lv14cCt/w640-h480/Mexico-Yucatan%20271.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also in 2009, an extended stay in Merida, Mexico allowed me a day trip to Chichen Itza.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This just left only one box unchecked, Christ the Redeemer in Rio. It would remain this way for well over a decade. In 2017, I came<a href="http://adventureofthemonth.blogspot.com/2017/04/one-rainy-day-in-rio.html"> close </a>but a particularly foggy day left me Jesus-less. Last year, I had a short stay in Rio, which allowed me to see the big guy off in the distance on my way to the airport but counting that roadside glimpse felt like a cheat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward again to a couple of weeks ago, when I had a couple of days off in Rio, a favorable weather forecast and a chance to finally complete this long neglected list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did my research and found there are 3 ways to get to JC. You can drive up to a certain point and then take a van to the viewing platform, you can hike all the way to the top (but will most likely get mugged along the way) or you can take a train through the Tijuca forest. By all accounts, the train is the most scenic, least mug-likely way to go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is suggested that you pre-book the train online but there is a real risk that you are purchasing tickets for nothing more than a dense ball of fog, so as my walking tour guide said, the best thing to do it to wake up, look up, if you can see Jesus, then you go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or in my case, you go, wait over two and half hours in line just to get on the train and then go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNDtsZKaXgEwAglzz4EaChOUDkXthrtfox7fHCaciIBp8h9zpHdbUiPYX8AFL-6dsxo7qWHa3Dd4-IYd5Rt5Y7kuxmCjZMf4m4M-zy1vDjUb6kEoyJD_moXfnppp8sxDNKnUTBAY13_0MZbUXBAEoELypTDwms46lwzuF78SpafVCIuSfuSjW70fF3Ha7/s4032/IMG_6901.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNDtsZKaXgEwAglzz4EaChOUDkXthrtfox7fHCaciIBp8h9zpHdbUiPYX8AFL-6dsxo7qWHa3Dd4-IYd5Rt5Y7kuxmCjZMf4m4M-zy1vDjUb6kEoyJD_moXfnppp8sxDNKnUTBAY13_0MZbUXBAEoELypTDwms46lwzuF78SpafVCIuSfuSjW70fF3Ha7/w640-h480/IMG_6901.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The ride is indeed very pretty, cutting through a lush green forest, but unless you are fortunate enough to score a window seat, good luck getting a good photo.<div><br /></div><div>Once you reach the end of the line, it is a short walk to a set of steps that take you up to the main attraction. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4jCEtj-Gld_f6Uvp6w2zHHkpepDHEgfqdPPmMTz6AFHrzJVx8_pp4v8n7Mo9gWOkRU1Gy-Khy4Nn6bmJi-AZVUjw36wrxshrCMzmmo0CmbsY_IStWJWqRdW7R9lRBjPh8TaodnowZ5mXcrmvlbHbP6mDcFc3LZU7I_qTGrdIMkxpvgF0W7UhsxJGeuNv/s4032/IMG_6910.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4jCEtj-Gld_f6Uvp6w2zHHkpepDHEgfqdPPmMTz6AFHrzJVx8_pp4v8n7Mo9gWOkRU1Gy-Khy4Nn6bmJi-AZVUjw36wrxshrCMzmmo0CmbsY_IStWJWqRdW7R9lRBjPh8TaodnowZ5mXcrmvlbHbP6mDcFc3LZU7I_qTGrdIMkxpvgF0W7UhsxJGeuNv/w480-h640/IMG_6910.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As you ascend, what stands out the most is not the giant art deco statue, it is the stunning views of Guanabara Bay.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY86t8kYf9kp18TE1g7yy_Awo2eh3d-6r8s5dOAPopZDctHRMORBCzAbf51Sl97vN5hmrvhfJzfpoVpxwBxV0IyeWMPWOmTkTGMtEqK9QmAcLYbQ8-JCJ1oF0TnxJceCaK8CBGMuP5Uf6W5CUt8iBQ0zRQA6kYE_S-J_teWfUdPEjQRCNphr2vvf472UCw/s7184/IMG_6912.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3914" data-original-width="7184" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY86t8kYf9kp18TE1g7yy_Awo2eh3d-6r8s5dOAPopZDctHRMORBCzAbf51Sl97vN5hmrvhfJzfpoVpxwBxV0IyeWMPWOmTkTGMtEqK9QmAcLYbQ8-JCJ1oF0TnxJceCaK8CBGMuP5Uf6W5CUt8iBQ0zRQA6kYE_S-J_teWfUdPEjQRCNphr2vvf472UCw/w640-h348/IMG_6912.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauVQ43mhStrUhLtzNdmVsHqJ5t6wqXPOO7RasH-kQXicDh9ArHd4k4Nre5GoKTGk_COiEvDOo_nJ82J7GTV50GhMq5i4rQK1Cu2CwXWK8wq7d1aiGeEHwiV4HZu7Hnq0-bQyWccmEelu9TOc6Ym7RtTU2XXUN-jyWTHCIVHj1zUZSU1zh9wtaXZkBraHf/s4032/IMG_6928.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauVQ43mhStrUhLtzNdmVsHqJ5t6wqXPOO7RasH-kQXicDh9ArHd4k4Nre5GoKTGk_COiEvDOo_nJ82J7GTV50GhMq5i4rQK1Cu2CwXWK8wq7d1aiGeEHwiV4HZu7Hnq0-bQyWccmEelu9TOc6Ym7RtTU2XXUN-jyWTHCIVHj1zUZSU1zh9wtaXZkBraHf/w640-h480/IMG_6928.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggoAE-Y8aPsGBpiVGxgNQl-WvLyWDd3WAUCpCPhKPwoVmpdFtOHYX-Cfo7aodCZrncZWkM4b70uZpzTjt7u540C-pw5pftn0iL30gWavYAPqXrFXcCydemIJsKTzCFE0GEhBQnEhyphenhyphennXfVgv3FKvrSuj2GWnkRPPPHtppGKDk8C0LpwpoWGqkSTLaxIbW9/s9612/IMG_6936.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3788" data-original-width="9612" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggoAE-Y8aPsGBpiVGxgNQl-WvLyWDd3WAUCpCPhKPwoVmpdFtOHYX-Cfo7aodCZrncZWkM4b70uZpzTjt7u540C-pw5pftn0iL30gWavYAPqXrFXcCydemIJsKTzCFE0GEhBQnEhyphenhyphennXfVgv3FKvrSuj2GWnkRPPPHtppGKDk8C0LpwpoWGqkSTLaxIbW9/w640-h252/IMG_6936.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then you get to the top and yup, it is a big ass Jesus. There is no museum putting the whole thing into any kind of historical context, no real wonder about a civilization overcoming adversity in its construction, no grounds to explore. Just a viewing platform, an oversized statue and approximately one million people wielding selfie sticks and doing the arms wide open pose. Also, it was near 99 degrees, something I would happily endure in any of the other wonders, but here it was just an added irritant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVgS976R0Q1QejqjKoQvXh_B71yCglVROKgHsnMraiKScrM3zvqnMYsAmtusNXEWRAwRCMEYMf2_ONCjxsn-Gus1QA_V8YPURYuzrjI-TNH9hBJSDouj5QL1F0UzLtPadgYNfjv7QBUprycGZ_vgx_HMLeXiGY63CY4lf6vQ6Bph1sPdAYQF69EQK5DZf/s4032/F071F91A-D179-4010-B1F4-80D7EA282744_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVgS976R0Q1QejqjKoQvXh_B71yCglVROKgHsnMraiKScrM3zvqnMYsAmtusNXEWRAwRCMEYMf2_ONCjxsn-Gus1QA_V8YPURYuzrjI-TNH9hBJSDouj5QL1F0UzLtPadgYNfjv7QBUprycGZ_vgx_HMLeXiGY63CY4lf6vQ6Bph1sPdAYQF69EQK5DZf/w480-h640/F071F91A-D179-4010-B1F4-80D7EA282744_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did get briefly excited when I saw a monkey hanging on the side of the hill but once he left, I quickly went back to being annoyed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEKlkuT7w79bpaw5n_U0o4mx7zLOA_suy0Uelawj3-I49tEUPSd_T6gKHYENm_0roeAXltjd2kDa76H-Fg9iDSbF9TqTHG1Vs0vqcsYU3EEbXfanrEdTio0g27J1WC-lbic8hdWruL85EWgKZ_cT2Iiy3Et7Zf4LFjSfZMap5IuKqCCDCbXknRfoqNgcN/s4032/IMG_6924.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEKlkuT7w79bpaw5n_U0o4mx7zLOA_suy0Uelawj3-I49tEUPSd_T6gKHYENm_0roeAXltjd2kDa76H-Fg9iDSbF9TqTHG1Vs0vqcsYU3EEbXfanrEdTio0g27J1WC-lbic8hdWruL85EWgKZ_cT2Iiy3Et7Zf4LFjSfZMap5IuKqCCDCbXknRfoqNgcN/w480-h640/IMG_6924.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x-PNh_0sZzlvihVGA7K2LhLYc133vjWZxysya5Yb-ZHjE4MfSe10PcR8V_0XleDFkXrz0UDhkjt8_UPlJpct9QgHPuFaktYQ1rxaGs4YrjhsBvntbvat0biFlM2E9SzAkKE4_N-b30jZDzym3DKtQD-c4azNupr2nk4gk2tgBKjDbDebW_rMSwT4Cgka/s4032/IMG_6927.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x-PNh_0sZzlvihVGA7K2LhLYc133vjWZxysya5Yb-ZHjE4MfSe10PcR8V_0XleDFkXrz0UDhkjt8_UPlJpct9QgHPuFaktYQ1rxaGs4YrjhsBvntbvat0biFlM2E9SzAkKE4_N-b30jZDzym3DKtQD-c4azNupr2nk4gk2tgBKjDbDebW_rMSwT4Cgka/w480-h640/IMG_6927.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In short, this is what happens when something like this is put up for a popular vote. I remember hearing how the government in Brazil set up free computers all over the country to encourage people to vote for this thing. When you have a population of over 200 million people wanting to get online, it is no surprise that objective standards go by the wayside. Surely there are artists, historians, archeologists who should have/ could have weighed in on who should be on the list. Instead, you had Paolo who just really wanted to check his MySpace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seriously, off the top of my head, I can think of so many places I've been to that are more deserving. The Alhambra in Spain, Persepolis in Iran, Baalbek in Lebanon, Khajurajo in India, Hagia Sophia in Turkey, the Acropolis in Athens, just to name a few. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To add insult to injury, while I was up there, I got a text from a friend who had overslept and was on his way. I told him to skip the train and its eternal line and just Uber to the van. He did just that and it still took him two hours to get to the top!! The lines for the van were equally ridiculous. In the meantime, I just waited at the one and only cafe, fighting off people trying to swipe his chair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmncb-qWVWMdfTT1eLYN2w-am8FL7JOUnwFGUH270WHVMLI9EpNjkhqrUfVgqAvPpKmEag9kHoQ9VARL6lm0QvtkQlRffFlzPB3zsBP_VqxRqtqxgJJKNY5uDMNOpWR7hp6xrr164_7EPVwT6zAYPyYU_yEEyXUlsFeefPq7KmXP4o2JYFPPUiYm2moW0/s4032/C95C551A-EB00-475D-8B7A-3C59CA9261E0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmncb-qWVWMdfTT1eLYN2w-am8FL7JOUnwFGUH270WHVMLI9EpNjkhqrUfVgqAvPpKmEag9kHoQ9VARL6lm0QvtkQlRffFlzPB3zsBP_VqxRqtqxgJJKNY5uDMNOpWR7hp6xrr164_7EPVwT6zAYPyYU_yEEyXUlsFeefPq7KmXP4o2JYFPPUiYm2moW0/w480-h640/C95C551A-EB00-475D-8B7A-3C59CA9261E0.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Once he arrived, I returned to the viewing platform, this time noting some different angles. Such as, the holy armpit...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb886l0hcNItY5YKO02DaNRFRhSZhuavtoAfeElqTRqKQEZZwXoRjusibqHbU2IsB6tosRNO970wdXs9EKKfZ22v0t5U_QSRsnEcDRRT1Zty4LtkHkNKGg1FY2Lm73aex3vLZkrV-KgakGnc265e_KESQBgofcQCRk29BO-HYXl4n4dqDVdph4ofcHSb2o/s4032/IMG_6946.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb886l0hcNItY5YKO02DaNRFRhSZhuavtoAfeElqTRqKQEZZwXoRjusibqHbU2IsB6tosRNO970wdXs9EKKfZ22v0t5U_QSRsnEcDRRT1Zty4LtkHkNKGg1FY2Lm73aex3vLZkrV-KgakGnc265e_KESQBgofcQCRk29BO-HYXl4n4dqDVdph4ofcHSb2o/w480-h640/IMG_6946.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Or the spiky nod to Hellraiser...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYJjhuS2HWxu0rb4sBfIz8nE5FRBFkuGoI1QmzSpORHtDloCqbdDKIibZAoyAumnQrtnyC9plib5n2Xr3eNkBxgjVxm04lYvClcVjEFiWW9ztC0k1lhlvh3JUtigO8UIH1nOUlPfHNmW7tAhH0SFIngxKysIvPQZfNeg0sf856Yv17T2OoF79N1ywi7Dj/s4032/IMG_6954.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYJjhuS2HWxu0rb4sBfIz8nE5FRBFkuGoI1QmzSpORHtDloCqbdDKIibZAoyAumnQrtnyC9plib5n2Xr3eNkBxgjVxm04lYvClcVjEFiWW9ztC0k1lhlvh3JUtigO8UIH1nOUlPfHNmW7tAhH0SFIngxKysIvPQZfNeg0sf856Yv17T2OoF79N1ywi7Dj/w480-h640/IMG_6954.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the preening mob was still there and it was still hot as balls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj4CyJrZgpbFTN08dSbiHjHxrD9iyOiqhGpvmeuyWeZf4guMGP1EpIflLT-_X4IZAsWtgomp3R8xBWnu11tsAw1KYpjQjDPGggGyYua1CDxpbOZNtxr0yGFmG-71Qqx14Zvix7g20iue99dbROTy5oh93F9qqYwiD0p0Yrqygn34Zh-lND1BiQo6rlIY7/s4032/IMG_6965.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj4CyJrZgpbFTN08dSbiHjHxrD9iyOiqhGpvmeuyWeZf4guMGP1EpIflLT-_X4IZAsWtgomp3R8xBWnu11tsAw1KYpjQjDPGggGyYua1CDxpbOZNtxr0yGFmG-71Qqx14Zvix7g20iue99dbROTy5oh93F9qqYwiD0p0Yrqygn34Zh-lND1BiQo6rlIY7/w480-h640/IMG_6965.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes, if you can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96L8HHZkFqbruVTY9WKk0UBJvfc5A808BGmYo5Ddi6O8kH6vpudI4X3nuaMhWjVi8wAYBBJEinEjti-RBMRnBRcTvdPB0JVepPXxlcB-Hr5rEF0_TeNX9LYNtCxpswF0CuMqNRlYKYR_Kd8K6uknL0WSdjbDi5ljRHUra5_pvLd_GKRePqrl0AZPyX4Yn/s4032/IMG_6960.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96L8HHZkFqbruVTY9WKk0UBJvfc5A808BGmYo5Ddi6O8kH6vpudI4X3nuaMhWjVi8wAYBBJEinEjti-RBMRnBRcTvdPB0JVepPXxlcB-Hr5rEF0_TeNX9LYNtCxpswF0CuMqNRlYKYR_Kd8K6uknL0WSdjbDi5ljRHUra5_pvLd_GKRePqrl0AZPyX4Yn/w480-h640/IMG_6960.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But the fact is that if the list in question was 7 World's Greatest PR Stunts, this would deserve spots 1-7 but as it stands, I am calling bullshit. Rio is a beautiful city and has plenty to brag about but waiting hours for what amounts to a 15 minute attraction ain't it. </div><div><br /></div><div>In fairness, I should point out that I am a lifelong atheist and it is possible that I was predisposed to dislike this particular "wonder" but then when it was time to go back down the hill, the line for train was once again stupid long. I'd already invested over 6 hours on this boondoggle. I'd had it and I'm not proud of this but I cut to the front with a lie about having gotten in the wrong line. This was just too much. I'd become a line cutter! I can tell you for a fact that had I not gone up that hill as an atheist, I certainly would have come down as one. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcfEpGUoLsvYBgj32OReWwethcDwJxkGiVULxyc1E80O2HAL2cOp1JgtUtVgsF7qWW6nukYOTwRLDel7PY56djy_RCt3VwmzoSa1FtNDqq2_sA5R8It5gJzoVRfFIZn4q8w2C0afjZHN0jh5-B0BdLdQCcA-AxOwP5vg6mIebqv2oJHf6otJEmCIXTsIq/s4032/IMG_6962.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcfEpGUoLsvYBgj32OReWwethcDwJxkGiVULxyc1E80O2HAL2cOp1JgtUtVgsF7qWW6nukYOTwRLDel7PY56djy_RCt3VwmzoSa1FtNDqq2_sA5R8It5gJzoVRfFIZn4q8w2C0afjZHN0jh5-B0BdLdQCcA-AxOwP5vg6mIebqv2oJHf6otJEmCIXTsIq/w480-h640/IMG_6962.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireball!!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>But at least, I can now say that this particular list is done. As in one and done, because I'm heading back to Rio this week but you know who I won't be visiting: Big Ass Jesus. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-54130739315235188342023-09-02T10:29:00.252-05:002023-09-21T20:38:18.824-05:0010 Things that made me fall in love with Bilbao and the Basque Region- parte 2<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsHlS5cYRZs8W4m7jlwPynWAc185HNJ7pospUDdB4FBwN2Iaxu6LYxMEU1lKNeX7FQsmIY6i0iqGFAXynhpwedf5BaQkVBRZOs-WRMbnl_P3YA3R-BXIUnsYfNoI85cxspavEisrdFP4nwDsTUreQa881lNQnZKAIxoIqqmk7bmxPRbd8-2Tt6cPpUMlj/s4032/IMG_6119.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsHlS5cYRZs8W4m7jlwPynWAc185HNJ7pospUDdB4FBwN2Iaxu6LYxMEU1lKNeX7FQsmIY6i0iqGFAXynhpwedf5BaQkVBRZOs-WRMbnl_P3YA3R-BXIUnsYfNoI85cxspavEisrdFP4nwDsTUreQa881lNQnZKAIxoIqqmk7bmxPRbd8-2Tt6cPpUMlj/w640-h480/IMG_6119.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my last post, I started listing all the things I loved about the six days I spent in the Bilbao region. At some point, it hit me that I had way too many photos for one post and didn't want to be responsible for anyone spraining a scrolling finger. With that in mind, let's continue with this Bilbao lovefest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>6. San Sebastian</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beach resort, Belle Epoque architecture, the world's greatest number of Michelin star restaurants per capita and a viewpoint with bumper cars-this town has a lot to offer. It would be easy to spend a couple of days here. Since we were here on a day tour, we had a grand total of 2 hours. This gave us just enough time to glimpse some of the highlights.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKO__si7BLopL_n8lEOtsa9zfQxYztl2UhFWJI5ZtVZo4i5HOEsBW-4s3tLxkL5IDUMoqF25mnQ7PwEUi7ru9G-Ls_WwpNTywFnKdVrc7TDDa1EzbsObkFbqElbqGpgXIv9HYyphj75cz5cto7S1SKIydHBBSkgRTkhYs6M32BA12QfdXguAcw5X-9YMB/s4032/IMG_6362.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKO__si7BLopL_n8lEOtsa9zfQxYztl2UhFWJI5ZtVZo4i5HOEsBW-4s3tLxkL5IDUMoqF25mnQ7PwEUi7ru9G-Ls_WwpNTywFnKdVrc7TDDa1EzbsObkFbqElbqGpgXIv9HYyphj75cz5cto7S1SKIydHBBSkgRTkhYs6M32BA12QfdXguAcw5X-9YMB/w640-h480/IMG_6362.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Maria Cristina Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6met7u1Yjt1LGx5wsTILOCPy9n0G5PNWmzpH4HkkI-OMweFP7UWrJCQNTqKR7flJcUAtKLabOK3Oe4ESLPnb5ooEXP4bYrVLbvxfMrL_dJJmMzWLjkZFmh92eKqW0s_KoVXRZEyjobBvFtGh2M8XU0perms_JSvARMDosDpUdbAvZ6gXFMJ82HrlMlkR/s4032/IMG_6364.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6met7u1Yjt1LGx5wsTILOCPy9n0G5PNWmzpH4HkkI-OMweFP7UWrJCQNTqKR7flJcUAtKLabOK3Oe4ESLPnb5ooEXP4bYrVLbvxfMrL_dJJmMzWLjkZFmh92eKqW0s_KoVXRZEyjobBvFtGh2M8XU0perms_JSvARMDosDpUdbAvZ6gXFMJ82HrlMlkR/w480-h640/IMG_6364.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvgM7Mi7li48WccJ9JB3Z3aBZNPszVWQWNl3ouN11j2abveMm5cR9WH2yjrPnDaxSpmWiy_DEYgZEY32L3SDi-8_l4E7m3k9QrLIXgJ9BHRBo_2FvPtA_Sk_qqsgwJgqmgqKY98Uw_qHnMJitg4CViwWpFMCae8sbaNwt8TYYvawNExa88RoJjaZnwoQe/s4032/IMG_6356.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvgM7Mi7li48WccJ9JB3Z3aBZNPszVWQWNl3ouN11j2abveMm5cR9WH2yjrPnDaxSpmWiy_DEYgZEY32L3SDi-8_l4E7m3k9QrLIXgJ9BHRBo_2FvPtA_Sk_qqsgwJgqmgqKY98Uw_qHnMJitg4CViwWpFMCae8sbaNwt8TYYvawNExa88RoJjaZnwoQe/w480-h640/IMG_6356.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Sebastian Cathedral</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2D73Cf78MnceoyfPWh8fox35A_GoqKhenEGe9giGZM2V7uWfaLuDVvOi1ZQCp60nc4tkU6Xet1HEuEAQbIl93Hg6NbKOAEAbDAj3Z7WPZiFavCrVBKFK2DLh8w8FOtG6XhoWWPHUOAb-s5leJR4QCdHlxQuRxDERgeNNe9k4j7Os_5NQVOKxXQNJJoO/s4032/IMG_6354.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2D73Cf78MnceoyfPWh8fox35A_GoqKhenEGe9giGZM2V7uWfaLuDVvOi1ZQCp60nc4tkU6Xet1HEuEAQbIl93Hg6NbKOAEAbDAj3Z7WPZiFavCrVBKFK2DLh8w8FOtG6XhoWWPHUOAb-s5leJR4QCdHlxQuRxDERgeNNe9k4j7Os_5NQVOKxXQNJJoO/w480-h640/IMG_6354.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh4V7KZ9daR7SWqAgxEELn_dY9ETh_mYOtQCq5WM7Anv0gaa4HapIAqVYBVYXU3_LrrgBBC9C6d5o8WsNwLg6s_5gKvUGZ3cgug_igE-hNEvj2W8BobsHfF_raYrq8ReDlGHbF4cKEWKhqIrrHfk3CG9TjdCPqSVyfOobq40be_6Fr4_KDk-4dHAK1nU4/s4032/IMG_6341.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioh4V7KZ9daR7SWqAgxEELn_dY9ETh_mYOtQCq5WM7Anv0gaa4HapIAqVYBVYXU3_LrrgBBC9C6d5o8WsNwLg6s_5gKvUGZ3cgug_igE-hNEvj2W8BobsHfF_raYrq8ReDlGHbF4cKEWKhqIrrHfk3CG9TjdCPqSVyfOobq40be_6Fr4_KDk-4dHAK1nU4/w640-h480/IMG_6341.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De Okendo Plaza, a monument to a Spanish admiral</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29jV2qkOuJxoduMbnXA4Db5MMaMChY6Uoug0F7lgJi73DYS5TqTzSDhm2yMxPHGqjBYRoabYaPyDR0woZG0mL0DKVoRPdPQ-UzpZQdHreCpgxdiNsg7W0ADuP1EpB6Ibb-WYv40R56r8nGlYcYebgSINH3WlPY8cFslHHVGh2kqxr_9oodgjRIIGcYdTy/s4032/IMG_6344.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29jV2qkOuJxoduMbnXA4Db5MMaMChY6Uoug0F7lgJi73DYS5TqTzSDhm2yMxPHGqjBYRoabYaPyDR0woZG0mL0DKVoRPdPQ-UzpZQdHreCpgxdiNsg7W0ADuP1EpB6Ibb-WYv40R56r8nGlYcYebgSINH3WlPY8cFslHHVGh2kqxr_9oodgjRIIGcYdTy/w640-h480/IMG_6344.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Constitution Square, formerly a bull ring now the city's main plaza</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXmwv5_Ty2Wl9-KtTyBytKTQpEWXe17fhvFe5IX1I8wWEKOmvF5dZ2CjkLlx9LDQ4z6MWNgzVJmWq3701umLXQgT0RDpXs3NWJFh7mC0iix61D9cCPy6Ik0MP98bRJVTcw8URNrfKT_OFn29kQtEw_uTEnaltQARJ3Dx_e0VfI6Sw__rDum5umrqj4Eea/s4032/IMG_6372.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXmwv5_Ty2Wl9-KtTyBytKTQpEWXe17fhvFe5IX1I8wWEKOmvF5dZ2CjkLlx9LDQ4z6MWNgzVJmWq3701umLXQgT0RDpXs3NWJFh7mC0iix61D9cCPy6Ik0MP98bRJVTcw8URNrfKT_OFn29kQtEw_uTEnaltQARJ3Dx_e0VfI6Sw__rDum5umrqj4Eea/w640-h480/IMG_6372.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewpoint from the <a href="https://www.monteigueldo.es/monte-igueldo-attractions">Igueldo Amusement Park</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With more time, I would have happily done the Michelin thing, gone for a swim and gotten on a ride or two. With the time we had, I checked out Biarritz, France in the background, grabbed a to go drink and got back on the bus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdejeGKEZyFSeOeNaLDU5fKx_gwJ1xwksHMyYntDbBD2iEKWsUJ1RXI2WrvsNXqqxSXS_mX6TouN6wWfUPPWGCuXV8tOSfYMTUm3-GlHsnhFzg8Ou1KBHz27AXIq45WO7jA9-sGFsb9q9tLmkqErasN4an6J6Ywv0jp9q_U3m9G6w2sdfsiNtMwgj209_3/s4032/IMG_6376.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdejeGKEZyFSeOeNaLDU5fKx_gwJ1xwksHMyYntDbBD2iEKWsUJ1RXI2WrvsNXqqxSXS_mX6TouN6wWfUPPWGCuXV8tOSfYMTUm3-GlHsnhFzg8Ou1KBHz27AXIq45WO7jA9-sGFsb9q9tLmkqErasN4an6J6Ywv0jp9q_U3m9G6w2sdfsiNtMwgj209_3/w640-h480/IMG_6376.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>7.<a href="https://loyola.global/en/">The Sanctuary of Loyola</a></div><div>What happens when someone sees the most baroque church ever and thinks "I can top it". This basilica, built alongside the childhood home of St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order, is gloriously over the top. The fact that it is located kind of in the middle of nowhere makes it extra wild. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i3NCcP0f2P00CK9leOu7WBmqxKdgHGlwVgpl_G4Wh7SPtkBUg-bA0MzhzSEaGH5SJCAm8WSBGIv3JtpBnopzEFFGNYOzcq4bUpI8K1PWohVyvlLGXx--1RRjToxs7CV6ksn7NsP-UJyLahqof31NPvaJsT2uiwqkCt4TovYtc8Mz3dRAudavvuMlHFhB/s4032/IMG_6304.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i3NCcP0f2P00CK9leOu7WBmqxKdgHGlwVgpl_G4Wh7SPtkBUg-bA0MzhzSEaGH5SJCAm8WSBGIv3JtpBnopzEFFGNYOzcq4bUpI8K1PWohVyvlLGXx--1RRjToxs7CV6ksn7NsP-UJyLahqof31NPvaJsT2uiwqkCt4TovYtc8Mz3dRAudavvuMlHFhB/w640-h480/IMG_6304.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cTV_Ur1kJdLdf0Vi2CUFFe0fZzs5oH63yaHVwqoZ82h8F2SBuIF1uf8vDGeAQovwSGhevCrA970HFG3idZAjyODVQQXa3RMjb0N4EFKwsLEJWpV81rHVs9dcJy3GIq0Jp_UmlaMYzgZIHL7r-uplCEndNO9RP-RdTEuX7AFDP4knQo28RlnGUATZFuaT/s4032/IMG_6285.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cTV_Ur1kJdLdf0Vi2CUFFe0fZzs5oH63yaHVwqoZ82h8F2SBuIF1uf8vDGeAQovwSGhevCrA970HFG3idZAjyODVQQXa3RMjb0N4EFKwsLEJWpV81rHVs9dcJy3GIq0Jp_UmlaMYzgZIHL7r-uplCEndNO9RP-RdTEuX7AFDP4knQo28RlnGUATZFuaT/w480-h640/IMG_6285.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAVedUdwHIrecdydQ1pdKwmLLC01O2y37aOXWVrTXCckezDLfUihoP1tz-macCno5B1789hyxlLgBgeqx3Mui8tyANrAdF6ao05aSBxGRIBTI41HH6jPqk-LV8BJs89u2lXHeoMYyHzCs3ygNSSarhAMx71DO4fZ-TkzXCaJfX72xTQ4m3oMeK3qAxJpC/s4032/IMG_6306.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAVedUdwHIrecdydQ1pdKwmLLC01O2y37aOXWVrTXCckezDLfUihoP1tz-macCno5B1789hyxlLgBgeqx3Mui8tyANrAdF6ao05aSBxGRIBTI41HH6jPqk-LV8BJs89u2lXHeoMYyHzCs3ygNSSarhAMx71DO4fZ-TkzXCaJfX72xTQ4m3oMeK3qAxJpC/w480-h640/IMG_6306.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT2xqDaimqLlJKKrAXm7Vzj-DzADrZdeMNzk0nuVDrEHmZt-s-T2sDxLnt6ngPZn-mGX0OnBLIcFV1Vjju4rgEP483xPxbRUs0CtoXCJEsZYMS_LxZClIJ2wje6R3_-oGTaPT9eSLBDXf4_RCFT6w55URAaktqoF2emZQqfZ_2jDaTdrYYVsm0Vk2RlK0/s4032/IMG_6288.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT2xqDaimqLlJKKrAXm7Vzj-DzADrZdeMNzk0nuVDrEHmZt-s-T2sDxLnt6ngPZn-mGX0OnBLIcFV1Vjju4rgEP483xPxbRUs0CtoXCJEsZYMS_LxZClIJ2wje6R3_-oGTaPT9eSLBDXf4_RCFT6w55URAaktqoF2emZQqfZ_2jDaTdrYYVsm0Vk2RlK0/w480-h640/IMG_6288.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfaaxNSkzfzjJP0U5R_XFUmF8TM-HasprF9sNTIozRzxhzBKqw7w-2L4ViU8RL_4ZT_R0NpejqQe5_ulGEWnpXPdHCs3NqhF8K78o2eIgckGG5GjZpTdzQC79ekLO2sDq0WBOu2nNI0hjbMI7ceFpSyVn15z3-T-yIqWhuDvMuQ3CMqkOBxspS1DPPrT6/s4032/IMG_6303.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfaaxNSkzfzjJP0U5R_XFUmF8TM-HasprF9sNTIozRzxhzBKqw7w-2L4ViU8RL_4ZT_R0NpejqQe5_ulGEWnpXPdHCs3NqhF8K78o2eIgckGG5GjZpTdzQC79ekLO2sDq0WBOu2nNI0hjbMI7ceFpSyVn15z3-T-yIqWhuDvMuQ3CMqkOBxspS1DPPrT6/w480-h640/IMG_6303.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFA33P3K-vpn0UAADbId0_Agm86wqEkzBl0azzZdAvsMqxw7nuDHTqt3bpqlcGLbkyUNm8sAKy4suBRvA9ggmdOMT-6BMSQcXmm0wq8zJ65Ks77eaPrj4LKwcs1L0zKTlk5f5M-ba9m1COV30GAo9z1ZpRrrSVzHRYe1yDPdO24CUCkGafoGwjJ_4vTPc/s4032/IMG_6307.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFA33P3K-vpn0UAADbId0_Agm86wqEkzBl0azzZdAvsMqxw7nuDHTqt3bpqlcGLbkyUNm8sAKy4suBRvA9ggmdOMT-6BMSQcXmm0wq8zJ65Ks77eaPrj4LKwcs1L0zKTlk5f5M-ba9m1COV30GAo9z1ZpRrrSVzHRYe1yDPdO24CUCkGafoGwjJ_4vTPc/w480-h640/IMG_6307.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is also a museum within the home detailing his conversion from rich party boy to founder of a major sect. TLDR: he was exiled and sent to war, got hit by a cannonball, his legs and possibly his dick were irreparably broken and just like that, he found god. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cool church, though.<br /><div><br /></div><div>8. <a href="https://bilbao.semanagrande.com/">Aste Nagusia 2023</a></div><div>Something strange happened after I booked that cheap ticket. It was a month before my departure, yet it looked like the hostels were all filling up quickly. Even factoring in that it was summer in Europe, something was fishy. Bilbao is not Barcelona. As far as I know it is not a major tourist destination, at least not one that would fill all beds a month in advance. I decided to do a quick search for events in Bilbao, figuring maybe it was Pride weekend or there was a music fest of some kind. That is when I first learned of Aste Nagusia aka Semana Grande aka The Big Week. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is a massive annual city-wide festival celebrating all things Basque. The party opens on day one with firecrackers announcing the appearance of Marijaia, a cheery woman with outstretched arms, on the balcony of the Arriaga Theater. For the next nine days, she is paraded around town as the beloved mascot she is. Then on day 9, homegirl is placed on a raft in the Nervion River and in a cruel twist of fate, set on fire. That's right, Miss M has exactly nine days to live. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruVPQ6ha413TuigIMJrBvqAA6SdmMjyjx5Fp7cBsIjnrexiNZJxByDkid0V1qAfekgSe90ad0TXPgxPo5-iNmtan5SpIV1P7WTAU5XQfFB9KJ1A8Pa68bD6k2zKQpBAUxTLwvTrmIrjKyxABEVHF7qioVNWmVR9_HSgOYwFqLbd0blz9GDjYYoJwIyvwu/s4032/IMG_5872.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruVPQ6ha413TuigIMJrBvqAA6SdmMjyjx5Fp7cBsIjnrexiNZJxByDkid0V1qAfekgSe90ad0TXPgxPo5-iNmtan5SpIV1P7WTAU5XQfFB9KJ1A8Pa68bD6k2zKQpBAUxTLwvTrmIrjKyxABEVHF7qioVNWmVR9_HSgOYwFqLbd0blz9GDjYYoJwIyvwu/w640-h480/IMG_5872.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxYeJLxlHerP7i5Jxx4AIW4Eb0jgZEVOITPRjWdED_tF0QT74zB8QvVCNXUk7gl-TxHyZr7n3WyCU4qZljRP4pGSJOowuTCb7ndRNSUdUa3UaC5bMyaKMAv8I8ZDfUJk7n9wrYtskAbNgVKxID57nwlETCdsjjSduEFDjQuhBTUsAxpV7ihi6bsa4-tMY/s4032/IMG_5912.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxYeJLxlHerP7i5Jxx4AIW4Eb0jgZEVOITPRjWdED_tF0QT74zB8QvVCNXUk7gl-TxHyZr7n3WyCU4qZljRP4pGSJOowuTCb7ndRNSUdUa3UaC5bMyaKMAv8I8ZDfUJk7n9wrYtskAbNgVKxID57nwlETCdsjjSduEFDjQuhBTUsAxpV7ihi6bsa4-tMY/w640-h480/IMG_5912.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But what a nine days they are. We were there for the closing weekend, 3 days in all and I have to say I am in complete awe of the Basque people's stamina. The festivities start bright and early, with bands playing in the streets, cooking competitions, parades, weird sporting events and just general jolly mayhem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmNMcqE8KE2wI_4uajBNq8tu-3QGvhRiPiEM4or3jOyqP9H4KwzjmLeUvSEDMcYdbIB8ZbNJizyDMt6Yy_l7PMj8lHrMrBJyKyKxbaOIhNX90owqRN-zhCmz-0hGwJDYKYw1_LwAuO6avc8XgswNekt6E7ODdjJG_0jNYtBdtBlt78S15s57l2j3s8yC/s4032/IMG_5920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXmNMcqE8KE2wI_4uajBNq8tu-3QGvhRiPiEM4or3jOyqP9H4KwzjmLeUvSEDMcYdbIB8ZbNJizyDMt6Yy_l7PMj8lHrMrBJyKyKxbaOIhNX90owqRN-zhCmz-0hGwJDYKYw1_LwAuO6avc8XgswNekt6E7ODdjJG_0jNYtBdtBlt78S15s57l2j3s8yC/w640-h480/IMG_5920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3hmYS96Dhymyiu5c9QtfIeaQx4lPR2G_ZuKwVQvBxZKYsZaQBW4pEV6GOIj3Za-lbmzQPJ5EpjdovY1G3Gh45es7lkIZALckKrKqsB0zPQAA9gLCGDkKzj7ME_zLMKxeDPQVBP7aE6XSH2O0BnapH9HcFf85S-scvLmJ0jqGS63Y43IAi_du022g-RVy/s4032/IMG_5837.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3hmYS96Dhymyiu5c9QtfIeaQx4lPR2G_ZuKwVQvBxZKYsZaQBW4pEV6GOIj3Za-lbmzQPJ5EpjdovY1G3Gh45es7lkIZALckKrKqsB0zPQAA9gLCGDkKzj7ME_zLMKxeDPQVBP7aE6XSH2O0BnapH9HcFf85S-scvLmJ0jqGS63Y43IAi_du022g-RVy/w640-h480/IMG_5837.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIbTalvqQG1Eg65k80QU4EJL7rN_3u5DQYWPUTPZPi1QvNtzonzuoUMJwsPnkyr3_O1oPkAYvhbpberolUYH8n2o1Eu54w8Fhh-M4X7blwh7UMwNB7EVQntDXGVdbGldtG_5ZdKaCMM6p-mOB4s1FuRoqciMwaiLpXfriWy1WyLQAR4sepl0GYRgsfZxx/s4032/IMG_6157.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIbTalvqQG1Eg65k80QU4EJL7rN_3u5DQYWPUTPZPi1QvNtzonzuoUMJwsPnkyr3_O1oPkAYvhbpberolUYH8n2o1Eu54w8Fhh-M4X7blwh7UMwNB7EVQntDXGVdbGldtG_5ZdKaCMM6p-mOB4s1FuRoqciMwaiLpXfriWy1WyLQAR4sepl0GYRgsfZxx/w480-h640/IMG_6157.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As night falls, the concert stages get louder, the beer tents get fuller and the streets become a dancing mass of humanity. Around 10pm, there are nightly fireworks with different countries competing for best display, which would seem a natural end to the night, but nope. The party continues until the wee hours only to resume the very next morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKATdNcIKWBur96EZndJ09kD2rRs9Xx5ocf8PqW6nuHCkCWVGEKd85jTi_NRVH9q2_Q0n-gui8X59SI6JSJMTzSNphps9LwWmGh6iBbMAjnreUg8IdQwDgDVTzrRTInBf1KGF6fIKKn7XgoxyMeX0GOY5D7IHobty2VqSwh5UyBsjd4D1R1OAVUXMcJ6F7/s4032/IMG_5887.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKATdNcIKWBur96EZndJ09kD2rRs9Xx5ocf8PqW6nuHCkCWVGEKd85jTi_NRVH9q2_Q0n-gui8X59SI6JSJMTzSNphps9LwWmGh6iBbMAjnreUg8IdQwDgDVTzrRTInBf1KGF6fIKKn7XgoxyMeX0GOY5D7IHobty2VqSwh5UyBsjd4D1R1OAVUXMcJ6F7/w640-h480/IMG_5887.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFctb1q8Io84i6f2RJhCBl66dTjjHhCzuUWBnAoJcEC15SfoJWXgmNf5Ep9ehw8MAe28quiM1yYmQ0-93LgvA4GKNmEA-hcVUA5Jr8y7knNVHnl1_ceYA5u2RkuN66WVpZAkA5qqNhpcb-E3K3LEwYcb4czfuVonJiD3P0rP3Y0a0grw-vv-gkv4berHea/s4032/IMG_5893.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFctb1q8Io84i6f2RJhCBl66dTjjHhCzuUWBnAoJcEC15SfoJWXgmNf5Ep9ehw8MAe28quiM1yYmQ0-93LgvA4GKNmEA-hcVUA5Jr8y7knNVHnl1_ceYA5u2RkuN66WVpZAkA5qqNhpcb-E3K3LEwYcb4czfuVonJiD3P0rP3Y0a0grw-vv-gkv4berHea/w480-h640/IMG_5893.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFUh3-ia0AHgKPPaxiwSeLVus5-fMyfc_qFbKfqXSidORRth3w7OKUcEby5VZealqUOCUyWxOSjaRSYPk_cpDdMMlmIMUb47vVBTVSbaA7XoqOtSMf6gWwgSWB4jESw_RAQAm9AzoHiCw24tcdiVZnvZ74KP9U_VhfpNZzn8Ah9YLFEkEvbJ8IvPkyNDg/s4032/IMG_5895.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFUh3-ia0AHgKPPaxiwSeLVus5-fMyfc_qFbKfqXSidORRth3w7OKUcEby5VZealqUOCUyWxOSjaRSYPk_cpDdMMlmIMUb47vVBTVSbaA7XoqOtSMf6gWwgSWB4jESw_RAQAm9AzoHiCw24tcdiVZnvZ74KP9U_VhfpNZzn8Ah9YLFEkEvbJ8IvPkyNDg/w480-h640/IMG_5895.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By all accounts, it should be bedlam. There are tens of thousands of drunk people crowded onto a couple of blocks along the river with not a hint of security present. You have big obviously licensed bar stands alongside random guys selling beer out of their coolers. Same goes for food stands shoulder to shoulder with some lady selling meat from a disposable grill. There were plenty of nice, surprisingly clean bathroom trailers- many of them manned by bathroom attendants- available for free. I felt the lines were very manageable but not everyone agreed. There were people peeing everywhere. Man, woman, small animal- it didn't matter. They were all letting loose into the river. It was well and truly a free for all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But you know what? I loved it. It completely worked. No one was stressed. Strangers were dancing with strangers. People were looking out for each other. I know this for a fact, during one of the fireworks display, some weird drunk guy kept finding ways to "accidentally" touch my ass. The woman on my other side noticed- I have no idea how as we were all staring up into the sky-she asked me if I knew him and when I said no, wedged herself between us, giving him such a withering stare that he was vanquished to parts unknown. It was an entire city coming together, young and old, gay and straight with the sole purpose of enjoying themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sWyliN9w8vfEirNWACxNOgqfOhIjmwdMqLLOGHvRJoaWASDz8jSL5odq0vbuc6z3f7j3cC7rFZyrTlJsk2XXhnZk5UQwnTsizvEQM1clI-lOiDpblS2UEhulO9enJ2T7ozKC00-NhmlDoq3WZzuEqp6y__F3o8zgbGNu4HVzzZT51z_4HhoL4MoIVCIL/s4032/IMG_6042.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sWyliN9w8vfEirNWACxNOgqfOhIjmwdMqLLOGHvRJoaWASDz8jSL5odq0vbuc6z3f7j3cC7rFZyrTlJsk2XXhnZk5UQwnTsizvEQM1clI-lOiDpblS2UEhulO9enJ2T7ozKC00-NhmlDoq3WZzuEqp6y__F3o8zgbGNu4HVzzZT51z_4HhoL4MoIVCIL/w480-h640/IMG_6042.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ1wwbKd668ure8OaiA5TARRFMXrjtuz4bkWyO6yBljJTLSV8E4CIvZPG4xYi5Eer-r8w-n7Hk0WmN4CD00E9Qi3a67MzG9L92UIlOGAxaYZDHLGk0ftPYB0TJolO5h4-SJNabXz3mIJHcaruzDmOAkx-arBHjtZjUCqQHwUtMrS35ryFtiQ_1QT-Pyg1/s4032/IMG_6043.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ1wwbKd668ure8OaiA5TARRFMXrjtuz4bkWyO6yBljJTLSV8E4CIvZPG4xYi5Eer-r8w-n7Hk0WmN4CD00E9Qi3a67MzG9L92UIlOGAxaYZDHLGk0ftPYB0TJolO5h4-SJNabXz3mIJHcaruzDmOAkx-arBHjtZjUCqQHwUtMrS35ryFtiQ_1QT-Pyg1/w640-h480/IMG_6043.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, maybe not everyone. As foretold, Marijaia did meet her unfortunate end, probably quicker then expected with all the alcohol that had been pee'd into that river but, man oh man, did she make the most out of those nine days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYl8um6zw15Ak72TU535QDq22bYFmp5lazYRubMOwN3E0HcuugrtYoyrGMydhc89ATt5lz9Kw4Es1Nr38PieoNpM7vqaiVuAxBskNOYp-wwYXFRaSI4pE-Z5GmAysl1kMh7oe6pFDmgC4_SmPi-VdyK6O_Ot0oJj5-V4YaENOm9omLemIfPcKHzTHyaVj/s4032/IMG_6161.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYl8um6zw15Ak72TU535QDq22bYFmp5lazYRubMOwN3E0HcuugrtYoyrGMydhc89ATt5lz9Kw4Es1Nr38PieoNpM7vqaiVuAxBskNOYp-wwYXFRaSI4pE-Z5GmAysl1kMh7oe6pFDmgC4_SmPi-VdyK6O_Ot0oJj5-V4YaENOm9omLemIfPcKHzTHyaVj/w640-h480/IMG_6161.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>9. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw4x5qYOvEt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Los Cabezudos and Gigantes!</a></div><div>Roughly translated to Big heads and Giants, these are traditional processional costumes dating back to medieval times. They are a big part of the Big Week festivities and should have been included under that heading. But here's the thing, I had a paper map telling me what route they would be taking. Every day, I set off early in the morning to try to find them but thanks to my directionally challenged ways, I usually failed. Luckily, the Casco Viejo (or old town) is not that big so all I really had to do was wander until I heard that music and then run like a Marijaia on fire (too soon?). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-rC2KZm2JEKJZjaMAx2QVIL8oWcgisc55iLqet2j1hUMkE46Rqhkb65cHYJkBBEugnTn2yuEG8UQk-6ETugWIkO666fzxfVm943cVmu7UqRZC7xTcjLyr60kl04MRWJwJGZwUZ7zkuyTHvegebGslXtQjkzI0yhCU7PtoNYqvN0KZJhzw-U1ccnmiOH/s4032/IMG_5929.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj-rC2KZm2JEKJZjaMAx2QVIL8oWcgisc55iLqet2j1hUMkE46Rqhkb65cHYJkBBEugnTn2yuEG8UQk-6ETugWIkO666fzxfVm943cVmu7UqRZC7xTcjLyr60kl04MRWJwJGZwUZ7zkuyTHvegebGslXtQjkzI0yhCU7PtoNYqvN0KZJhzw-U1ccnmiOH/w480-h640/IMG_5929.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCSSYPiCbv_xYI15axvFOXCQm351HxJQTw-Pr3kiScCNZDu5vwXaJIK4WkpdzPDzeFczqhxVZSiyt0ciwtpZMV3zlSC8060kU4g7DT4FxEEYh0JaFELaGu0PoOONP__JaR8MMjNVMXyYLi7ZGaPRogB6S5GkrokJYCXYaYuJ_sdpf0MOZiHo7nuwOLe9/s4032/IMG_5930.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCSSYPiCbv_xYI15axvFOXCQm351HxJQTw-Pr3kiScCNZDu5vwXaJIK4WkpdzPDzeFczqhxVZSiyt0ciwtpZMV3zlSC8060kU4g7DT4FxEEYh0JaFELaGu0PoOONP__JaR8MMjNVMXyYLi7ZGaPRogB6S5GkrokJYCXYaYuJ_sdpf0MOZiHo7nuwOLe9/w640-h480/IMG_5930.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Every single time, it was a thrill. There is no way when faced with these swirling behemoths to be a detached observer. You are part of the show. They inspired a childlike joy in me that is difficult to put into words. Yes, they were part of the Big Week party but they deserve a listing all their own. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe9YZFmLKk062Uz2zFK-jvEdOXMfsoumRl6LDYtP4Yfa2lqI0IyXb07ag9KROQEVCxEonlw-kpaw8wBTYZYtanG8R9jCCiTJeuOlz2Glm50H3Q1Doa0yJI4lGuvlrph1frlOLVbyyc4PB3SmOFj01Xr-crezzE6b6YS_VoZ7nSyXPwx4gFw4nGRUGqsL-/s4032/IMG_5947.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe9YZFmLKk062Uz2zFK-jvEdOXMfsoumRl6LDYtP4Yfa2lqI0IyXb07ag9KROQEVCxEonlw-kpaw8wBTYZYtanG8R9jCCiTJeuOlz2Glm50H3Q1Doa0yJI4lGuvlrph1frlOLVbyyc4PB3SmOFj01Xr-crezzE6b6YS_VoZ7nSyXPwx4gFw4nGRUGqsL-/w480-h640/IMG_5947.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQR8J5pSxbw7xmcmiayWLLmPuJJQ673ytvTcNt2m8AhOGVcijM2kNBcN3ixEzkkHGZx2ADF3zNbEmjWGUXIhMXgE-mJcxHSa5YbT8ul8fbtkKfJfLGGfFlRCP2GeNf-MSfhrTZTe4RQeizakuqEKF2SX9kY4LZ5-w5zsZXy1eL_esRonB3Luexscc-ZR2/s4032/IMG_5987.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQR8J5pSxbw7xmcmiayWLLmPuJJQ673ytvTcNt2m8AhOGVcijM2kNBcN3ixEzkkHGZx2ADF3zNbEmjWGUXIhMXgE-mJcxHSa5YbT8ul8fbtkKfJfLGGfFlRCP2GeNf-MSfhrTZTe4RQeizakuqEKF2SX9kY4LZ5-w5zsZXy1eL_esRonB3Luexscc-ZR2/w480-h640/IMG_5987.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This being the anything goes party that it is, there were no pesky barricades or police to stop you from becoming a part of the parade. Want to walk alongside them, knock yourself out. Once I found them, I always assumed they going to lead me to the nicest parts of the old town, so why not follow them?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy2kbJMl9SiDmgQTj-xyN6lO3PbULJODxUAf2M-DFO9d-JWSAf1FShcdfSMHDNaZ_pWa3PUPZyupBR68YczFE2uhhfCXTumwHcgKL_qFNXmaAaQT-WRAlFwIy3M_2BtfYRTwELVtzgAXN2YubAkf2aXms29y-swHvZ88d7AiE1sMmUK4I_nCu7CY9C5F4/s4032/IMG_6058.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy2kbJMl9SiDmgQTj-xyN6lO3PbULJODxUAf2M-DFO9d-JWSAf1FShcdfSMHDNaZ_pWa3PUPZyupBR68YczFE2uhhfCXTumwHcgKL_qFNXmaAaQT-WRAlFwIy3M_2BtfYRTwELVtzgAXN2YubAkf2aXms29y-swHvZ88d7AiE1sMmUK4I_nCu7CY9C5F4/w480-h640/IMG_6058.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnrwzpDiaqcnIGgZNBkXPKClfx249GhukC2z2jEwpOAekprP4sm7E286h01HGcarPt6SpWXQgb32aH1iHoceMJmSLaSxe6PjQswJZPAl9rcV8TJ7FyA0nwY1sjqX8y37DjlMwyC82wef1yyR-ekG-mAaE1rmRrBOAiUW50llYUw1Ulcr4voKpOYOMxGDy/s4032/IMG_6062.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnrwzpDiaqcnIGgZNBkXPKClfx249GhukC2z2jEwpOAekprP4sm7E286h01HGcarPt6SpWXQgb32aH1iHoceMJmSLaSxe6PjQswJZPAl9rcV8TJ7FyA0nwY1sjqX8y37DjlMwyC82wef1yyR-ekG-mAaE1rmRrBOAiUW50llYUw1Ulcr4voKpOYOMxGDy/w480-h640/IMG_6062.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA4fCIYeT29_XCjJeRLA8ss2l0cc-bjjUqWTBENF3Afmh5Wl3QC8KPZIBc_noDksdF8OvHYlIYykq3uRJwMYCHHGkqERHJKgJ523vYZAxkopDhFVCHTWHAFcdzm9n2S0NYf5ZCrpcG5kNIMmzmyleAiQNwGtKf4UUAnr_-CSf3_6oqIrC8M3S70ZWsSCt/s4032/IMG_6065.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA4fCIYeT29_XCjJeRLA8ss2l0cc-bjjUqWTBENF3Afmh5Wl3QC8KPZIBc_noDksdF8OvHYlIYykq3uRJwMYCHHGkqERHJKgJ523vYZAxkopDhFVCHTWHAFcdzm9n2S0NYf5ZCrpcG5kNIMmzmyleAiQNwGtKf4UUAnr_-CSf3_6oqIrC8M3S70ZWsSCt/w480-h640/IMG_6065.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Between my frantic sprints to catch up to them and the miles walked alongside once I did, I was closing my rings by noon every day. I can only imagine those of the people actually carrying the costumes. The wooden frames and papier mache heads have to weigh over 100 pounds each. Imagine walking and swirling through town in those things. It is no wonder they would swap out frequently. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UfAbLGliDWdhho2FhHbeTY2L2MsDJqf9rE-qdwydCkGP-dg9pvGlBAUyLRZX2T0RKo4R3Zl9hAcIjKAmHTZgf9e_jCHLwS1LCNZ_72g5b11Fn18qQs8oqK3SA7qqvujdA2nPr-s-SKTvBQy717gZb2ffxJibzJxHCWb546pMLqEfUd5KyQrh1WFcP0oc/s4032/IMG_6071.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UfAbLGliDWdhho2FhHbeTY2L2MsDJqf9rE-qdwydCkGP-dg9pvGlBAUyLRZX2T0RKo4R3Zl9hAcIjKAmHTZgf9e_jCHLwS1LCNZ_72g5b11Fn18qQs8oqK3SA7qqvujdA2nPr-s-SKTvBQy717gZb2ffxJibzJxHCWb546pMLqEfUd5KyQrh1WFcP0oc/w480-h640/IMG_6071.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The cabezudos had it easier. They are basically just costumed people with giant heads, thus the name. They usually carried either a pool noodle or a bag of some kind, which they used to liberally whale on unsuspecting spectators. At first, I thought this was an attempt to keep people at a safe distance from the Gigantes but as I saw them go full ham on small children who were nowhere near the parade route, I realized they were just doing this for sport. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwBiPMDcEQbE5PR4QPf1pBh0UUOadcjABjZ-ovkhP3ijo_tE9pMXiLoyXt7Rfs2fziLXSVu8_5l5npzTQib5yXOBIF-Lx5oktIJ1lNT6edELzASI_AyRcGYeJA_TChI4KumCbxUSEwD6FA9x2X0UwXSPEpWmhVXJAYlmVq4-UJehYF_R7NQAhXokSbIOP/s4032/IMG_6075.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwBiPMDcEQbE5PR4QPf1pBh0UUOadcjABjZ-ovkhP3ijo_tE9pMXiLoyXt7Rfs2fziLXSVu8_5l5npzTQib5yXOBIF-Lx5oktIJ1lNT6edELzASI_AyRcGYeJA_TChI4KumCbxUSEwD6FA9x2X0UwXSPEpWmhVXJAYlmVq4-UJehYF_R7NQAhXokSbIOP/w480-h640/IMG_6075.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU5lNaRHqR2kE9ujawP-8hlA8OtCVtcK6iEaJJRCpdfHv3_aOoR2CjhX5_LkY_Kj_YxLev7iCIAtpYg244pFo20ELZLQBVSRX0S6AUy_G289FUbp1C_dH4hQpvUqvFzGcuHKzFxRypJsb7n12DUN1NPgeLF0rO_7WUI7fqE8OU2kB37hwoQ_V5_3zK9Il/s4032/IMG_6077.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU5lNaRHqR2kE9ujawP-8hlA8OtCVtcK6iEaJJRCpdfHv3_aOoR2CjhX5_LkY_Kj_YxLev7iCIAtpYg244pFo20ELZLQBVSRX0S6AUy_G289FUbp1C_dH4hQpvUqvFzGcuHKzFxRypJsb7n12DUN1NPgeLF0rO_7WUI7fqE8OU2kB37hwoQ_V5_3zK9Il/w480-h640/IMG_6077.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The realization that you could be in a parade, in costume and terrorize children made me realize that the perfect job does indeed exist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-AGT0grSsSFO9-gROsUjxZewhERlK_V52rUmn8ZxqnU2Myigz5kD8gBRagVP_6s2Vin1edLPe5S1o8MdxsLbXr4iVH--cybHw0ilLlU_Slc1k6JZXC75qs6goM_oVPLUS2K-1Gg83yrdUdeEj87LeUP9KhvNhIH6j0Og8a2O-jF3XReHG7p37dFwdpS/s4032/IMG_6104.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-AGT0grSsSFO9-gROsUjxZewhERlK_V52rUmn8ZxqnU2Myigz5kD8gBRagVP_6s2Vin1edLPe5S1o8MdxsLbXr4iVH--cybHw0ilLlU_Slc1k6JZXC75qs6goM_oVPLUS2K-1Gg83yrdUdeEj87LeUP9KhvNhIH6j0Og8a2O-jF3XReHG7p37dFwdpS/w480-h640/IMG_6104.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaJPTJRCkpgRWaevikR6ob4BjbQHwD__d5uZgU3LpULji7_yT2iAWmGfSVz7LJLb1UwVYYcBhCnvr719GgCesflW3kTQwkslXocNKC_JKu9yYMiyrjgh0yJn_KCBGR_NQLhomIR9LPYWqyC3XsPUE2gK2G5tCxqsYaImbBC_FwK4vYOjU2n1I8u2RTJu6/s4032/IMG_6078.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaJPTJRCkpgRWaevikR6ob4BjbQHwD__d5uZgU3LpULji7_yT2iAWmGfSVz7LJLb1UwVYYcBhCnvr719GgCesflW3kTQwkslXocNKC_JKu9yYMiyrjgh0yJn_KCBGR_NQLhomIR9LPYWqyC3XsPUE2gK2G5tCxqsYaImbBC_FwK4vYOjU2n1I8u2RTJu6/w480-h640/IMG_6078.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have since learned that this tradition has been exported and happens in Puerto Rico, as well. You bet your sweet mofongo, I'll be going to see some Boriqua cabezudos. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz9KGaE6q53AUjMwU27b1tlSqViuJxE6pv6JUn8tlW2Kp2KBWc1Uc-h-38KtPo36V3ZyPijJKbBtU045wKiWKoQs76gndUieQ_SCVf6TD-tso0xcTw8Iv1kw0jj6Dyclk1UPAws6R8e6_2pL2qwK3731AZGN4BvgdZUlOVXjVe6iJGle6qq7-3za8POaV/s4032/IMG_6109.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz9KGaE6q53AUjMwU27b1tlSqViuJxE6pv6JUn8tlW2Kp2KBWc1Uc-h-38KtPo36V3ZyPijJKbBtU045wKiWKoQs76gndUieQ_SCVf6TD-tso0xcTw8Iv1kw0jj6Dyclk1UPAws6R8e6_2pL2qwK3731AZGN4BvgdZUlOVXjVe6iJGle6qq7-3za8POaV/w480-h640/IMG_6109.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZSMuNqmcwV3lTmF89AvhI0TRjHkgD_KQXeKweSa2zymBNt9z5gi3UHBvRcsKXw4ZhI3L8yj8jsC6jxJpFaCUXOo-iNtZfH-QP1jbbcm4Sk851XGkvP4rYjHrS1JmTR8f8lqh7uKcjwrqUnwXsuFN8QNSurdQnB5WkrvinhpW5wXLtsOxnIxMP17hnVmY/s4032/IMG_6122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZSMuNqmcwV3lTmF89AvhI0TRjHkgD_KQXeKweSa2zymBNt9z5gi3UHBvRcsKXw4ZhI3L8yj8jsC6jxJpFaCUXOo-iNtZfH-QP1jbbcm4Sk851XGkvP4rYjHrS1JmTR8f8lqh7uKcjwrqUnwXsuFN8QNSurdQnB5WkrvinhpW5wXLtsOxnIxMP17hnVmY/w640-h480/IMG_6122.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>10. Spending time with people I love</div></div><div>Ok, so this last one really has nothing to do with Bilbao, the Basque country or its glorious Big Week but it is a big part of why I enjoyed it all so much. When I booked my cheap ticket, I had already been in Amsterdam for a month and had another month to go before I returned home. Imagine my surprise when I found out my ride or die bestie had gone ahead and booked a flight to meet me in Bilbao. Joined by her game-for-anything boyfriend, Miguel, we jumped into the fray full force, adding to our many decades worth of memories. Having them there to share in the fun made an amazing experience that much better . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UN9rPTJzqCIMq7UxhdJoZm_0wWZAVFY967jXdn_ZOajKVvSWbArJQAIRUIhFPeFi430JPwlWm6YcPk4X_SnYR9ExdZ31Xy_stJX7e2JG47djWDEWWqD3vi2Xbk9Ts7vhGA8YT1aFT9dvokacUweVPmCe6Br62AUhnZpHS6EEnqrBjBA4NcCyuLFXZocS/s4032/IMG_5843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UN9rPTJzqCIMq7UxhdJoZm_0wWZAVFY967jXdn_ZOajKVvSWbArJQAIRUIhFPeFi430JPwlWm6YcPk4X_SnYR9ExdZ31Xy_stJX7e2JG47djWDEWWqD3vi2Xbk9Ts7vhGA8YT1aFT9dvokacUweVPmCe6Br62AUhnZpHS6EEnqrBjBA4NcCyuLFXZocS/w480-h640/IMG_5843.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The best part? Of the four of us in this photo, only one ended up as a pile of ashes in a pissed-filled river. </div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-78756306212830893152023-09-01T16:28:00.018-05:002023-09-21T16:56:44.388-05:0010 Things that made me fall in love with Bilbao and the Basque Region- Part 1<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhaa2purddaAIOdBsoPTETSA8HUEH6xfEbTcheCzqma8QGmw0wsQZhVLrh9MyATo26rW6ht_ADNnjLLq-mQo8VyKN366q2upm-8r-EDeqc8G3rj1i0rPHAK34QlNHnrQkPeIXlUDFz-ByPEyMX06pNOVfGIw0uCnH9yn6P1WimXdI_bRbatail2tTyAJN/s4032/IMG_6275.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhaa2purddaAIOdBsoPTETSA8HUEH6xfEbTcheCzqma8QGmw0wsQZhVLrh9MyATo26rW6ht_ADNnjLLq-mQo8VyKN366q2upm-8r-EDeqc8G3rj1i0rPHAK34QlNHnrQkPeIXlUDFz-ByPEyMX06pNOVfGIw0uCnH9yn6P1WimXdI_bRbatail2tTyAJN/w640-h480/IMG_6275.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en">The Guggenheim Museum</a></div><div><span>I didn't exactly choose Bilbao as my next travel destination, fate (and Skyscanner) did. This is because the Skyscanner site has a cool feature where you plug in your dates, home airport and choose "everywhere" as your destination. It then gives you a list of options, starting with the cheapest. I decided I would go with whatever came up as the cheapest place I hadn't been. Bilbao was the winner</span> at a cool 155€ round-trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>All I knew about the city was that it was home to the iconic Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum and honestly this was enough for me. I was first introduced to Gehry's work in 2001 via an <a href="https://www.guggenheim.org/exhibition/frank-gehry-architect">exhibition</a> at the NYC Guggenheim. Ever since, I have actively sought out his work all over the globe. To see his most famous building in person had me giddy beyond words.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, not all words. I did scream "Para, para, para!!" on a crowded bus en route from the airport to the city. It was my first time laying eyes on this titanium mirage and I wanted off the bus. The bus driver had a route to follow and letting me go snap happy at the museum was not a part of it. I had to wait until we did a walking tour the next day to really have a chance to take it all in.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy446qkmLWFNoIKFc0uH9THICgo-1ff8q4A3Z1KO3GDglFi99jw-gJopDWTLSfitfD0EPKIvlJKvI5048WNVDby8FpCmCOn4biKHa4uW4CDdJnbbIbfmBt0qxM_UJZIkxzDyiVPzdV0SnHw5WIfv3Hr39RQFD8wcKk9Z5rZ0SrK6x0YfCutVmGyMr9piF/s4032/IMG_5861.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy446qkmLWFNoIKFc0uH9THICgo-1ff8q4A3Z1KO3GDglFi99jw-gJopDWTLSfitfD0EPKIvlJKvI5048WNVDby8FpCmCOn4biKHa4uW4CDdJnbbIbfmBt0qxM_UJZIkxzDyiVPzdV0SnHw5WIfv3Hr39RQFD8wcKk9Z5rZ0SrK6x0YfCutVmGyMr9piF/w640-h480/IMG_5861.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9rFUAuzUrOdvpRmaafm2vZFWtQlHdVTi48XZi_07WtSyfhXS2gl8dBdKZK3MsgoGP_DFzfEWM3sq7RsUXU7tnQxWGXYRock0MHwvf8r9Ur_mYaNDWgxgydifrTiXj2RnhZvuTyxXPuGDBmZgKeLf5e4BoWhQFoPV7ZIbL_wj6L5DMF6Tn3KjkJAPhCnW/s4032/IMG_5870.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9rFUAuzUrOdvpRmaafm2vZFWtQlHdVTi48XZi_07WtSyfhXS2gl8dBdKZK3MsgoGP_DFzfEWM3sq7RsUXU7tnQxWGXYRock0MHwvf8r9Ur_mYaNDWgxgydifrTiXj2RnhZvuTyxXPuGDBmZgKeLf5e4BoWhQFoPV7ZIbL_wj6L5DMF6Tn3KjkJAPhCnW/w480-h640/IMG_5870.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn2Xj7rVJsOlvCW826lZzMKaU446q1II9cas9bvwPaXl27WP7xffDN75h9z9oomltmYhQnm1Y_xT44SeoywB0A9meVx8G_xEebhAjUSws0-Nm4Yk4EdifxCl_3oeVYwt6kdZ0XAJBVaowofveLz311ydEe3FXsHX7mWVqfswdjnLB34V2DcO41rAT17aB/s4032/IMG_6281.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn2Xj7rVJsOlvCW826lZzMKaU446q1II9cas9bvwPaXl27WP7xffDN75h9z9oomltmYhQnm1Y_xT44SeoywB0A9meVx8G_xEebhAjUSws0-Nm4Yk4EdifxCl_3oeVYwt6kdZ0XAJBVaowofveLz311ydEe3FXsHX7mWVqfswdjnLB34V2DcO41rAT17aB/w640-h480/IMG_6281.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is as glorious as is it difficult to photograph. Between the crowds and all the different angles to choose from, this beauty really is best appreciated in person. It's the kind of place I could view every single day and never get tired of. </div><div><br /></div><div>The exhibitions inside were equally fantastic, featuring a retrospective of work by 94 yr old it-girl, Yayoi Kusama and a series of trippy <a href="https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/exhibitions/richard-serra-2">labyrinths</a> to explore by American artist, Richard Serra.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGOo3cv_uFLHeKHbQpUup7HJXKaOOgdqKrjXyx2Q6WINFXUzBWXJckrptCj5H3fNdB_8YEMqb6LH74hxHHzLYljG8dmBdtKpt4cz0SkUydx_md8-4X24NAe8bsA7OJctJfJ9WBXvGBj8-_ZwjdMcLesLsDH_Xqq6uWMIaSsjhVS0DTQlwsODA5VvgJbPQ/s4032/IMG_6004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGOo3cv_uFLHeKHbQpUup7HJXKaOOgdqKrjXyx2Q6WINFXUzBWXJckrptCj5H3fNdB_8YEMqb6LH74hxHHzLYljG8dmBdtKpt4cz0SkUydx_md8-4X24NAe8bsA7OJctJfJ9WBXvGBj8-_ZwjdMcLesLsDH_Xqq6uWMIaSsjhVS0DTQlwsODA5VvgJbPQ/w480-h640/IMG_6004.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4GWPK3XXw33gFwAKguSwmf3hygjHhHyUZH_YR_m8h265-J7SMhhwQIICWFZJWUbBs2I8j_6ZYv7R1L-KmUJrV4-cTpzc_FdYFPS680Bi52MI80qQH9nxqzqx04WnL_agVagp0Ta7INJPt_HRltbBLQwjryy5r9J88IXdHN1gFXXuav-lG-PfK7lzKKvC/s4032/IMG_6018.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4GWPK3XXw33gFwAKguSwmf3hygjHhHyUZH_YR_m8h265-J7SMhhwQIICWFZJWUbBs2I8j_6ZYv7R1L-KmUJrV4-cTpzc_FdYFPS680Bi52MI80qQH9nxqzqx04WnL_agVagp0Ta7INJPt_HRltbBLQwjryy5r9J88IXdHN1gFXXuav-lG-PfK7lzKKvC/w640-h480/IMG_6018.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6EGjDrK9vzoiKjQ0F2ztxugqOz6-3GMKxXuCSKogfjDjJSIuegl8lfM_G2vXct1o5EuyF4JK5-lZxO4Kacft4XgMOeK87_OBgTfA3MQ8kebPCD-WtJKlNNZ21X7i6pz2b5SivzS6AW4LZ0ieJ8aJCMhJKCHF2V249LBr4eWlwxZneA_ZDnBXKXwim2cu/s4032/IMG_6038.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6EGjDrK9vzoiKjQ0F2ztxugqOz6-3GMKxXuCSKogfjDjJSIuegl8lfM_G2vXct1o5EuyF4JK5-lZxO4Kacft4XgMOeK87_OBgTfA3MQ8kebPCD-WtJKlNNZ21X7i6pz2b5SivzS6AW4LZ0ieJ8aJCMhJKCHF2V249LBr4eWlwxZneA_ZDnBXKXwim2cu/w480-h640/IMG_6038.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwuth4vA-IKJfEyrjez9-IR_g94IX8x1SIX5ccoyXC51oyv2ARLFomUncAA8R2vSxTblrCKaUax2o73tu5q1sext79DeNYgIs3qJcc2sKVH7oITTy5K5u3QvvPYGdy-MhyH00fcT3NzJa4Nlha-7hLqC3_5wPphb1Gy2w5-DJaLopb2DGlI_yOOXRoWiS/s4032/IMG_6032.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwuth4vA-IKJfEyrjez9-IR_g94IX8x1SIX5ccoyXC51oyv2ARLFomUncAA8R2vSxTblrCKaUax2o73tu5q1sext79DeNYgIs3qJcc2sKVH7oITTy5K5u3QvvPYGdy-MhyH00fcT3NzJa4Nlha-7hLqC3_5wPphb1Gy2w5-DJaLopb2DGlI_yOOXRoWiS/w480-h640/IMG_6032.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div>2. <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vizcaya-bridge">The Vizcaya Bridge</a></div><div>There are plenty of beautiful photogenic bridges in the world but this has to be one of the most unique. Architect Alberto de Palacio faced the challenge of linking Portugalete and Getxo, town on opposite sides of the Nervion River, without disrupting maritime traffic. His ingenious solution was to build two 45 meter (or 147 ft) towers and have a dangling gondola ferry both cargo and people back and forth. </div><div><br /></div><div>More than 100 years later, it is still operational and has been named a UNESCO world heritage site, the only one in Spain relating to the Industrial Age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqhaM4KxpGtICRYtIwXl9o4EzW5sz2-Xcgy6LPngijzT7z46rdtAAwV2g9QtVYrjErXV4GPkHszKBKrNCdDFaeHev2BVms5Y_LOHxyIHVPVdSBmRyMEorysBHaWzpovP_JsmNURIe9QOapMh_w7NVJZNO_nFWhP91wvfocpGcL8pJN-58wbLhcrZnG3Px/s4032/IMG_6136.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqhaM4KxpGtICRYtIwXl9o4EzW5sz2-Xcgy6LPngijzT7z46rdtAAwV2g9QtVYrjErXV4GPkHszKBKrNCdDFaeHev2BVms5Y_LOHxyIHVPVdSBmRyMEorysBHaWzpovP_JsmNURIe9QOapMh_w7NVJZNO_nFWhP91wvfocpGcL8pJN-58wbLhcrZnG3Px/w640-h480/IMG_6136.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9L6hOkBLXeq7_5MTOq1F70thbXgyrokYvwrfpv9ol53IhyBuFYra6qCIDVSdQUyjgfxn5p4o_Ivhw1d-j92a_gYsKfJAa2bcNx6WqYGB7kzmjRgS1zowW37-RYffgmmI6rLSp6ua8_TjtwLhjs6H8EyyrnMfuj9IKqTq-kKm2EiKgh1HFrFCBGsQzcYL/s4032/IMG_6139.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9L6hOkBLXeq7_5MTOq1F70thbXgyrokYvwrfpv9ol53IhyBuFYra6qCIDVSdQUyjgfxn5p4o_Ivhw1d-j92a_gYsKfJAa2bcNx6WqYGB7kzmjRgS1zowW37-RYffgmmI6rLSp6ua8_TjtwLhjs6H8EyyrnMfuj9IKqTq-kKm2EiKgh1HFrFCBGsQzcYL/w480-h640/IMG_6139.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>3. The Basque Villages</div><div>There's no question that the formerly industrial city of Bilbao has been transformed into a hip, artsy must-see city but the heart of the Basque region can best be found in the smaller towns and villages. Take for example, <a href="https://www.euskoguide.com/places-basque-country/spain/bermeo-tourism/">Bermeo</a>, a fisherman's village near Dragonstone that just screams "charming".</div><div><br /></div><div>As with all the towns we visited, there was a well-situated tourist office to provide maps and advice on where to go and what to see. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3yt6jhZaUrv1O0Bw8uXt75SVoYIbC6uhMw8LGuKpuWYXH5VNPSaCDTyBj0C1fkDhihpKg98VCuEUkXeNdU_jZpQBjPsQN1MlwO2FRicGz9xkkQ4JvXi5ik0-MwR5Gn4TRmfKLw_PXbdmffNzVjYfUKkhFm4yJ68UnzvUMPZqgQ2SDkcDVZN3pJU-2_Mc/s4032/IMG_6196.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3yt6jhZaUrv1O0Bw8uXt75SVoYIbC6uhMw8LGuKpuWYXH5VNPSaCDTyBj0C1fkDhihpKg98VCuEUkXeNdU_jZpQBjPsQN1MlwO2FRicGz9xkkQ4JvXi5ik0-MwR5Gn4TRmfKLw_PXbdmffNzVjYfUKkhFm4yJ68UnzvUMPZqgQ2SDkcDVZN3pJU-2_Mc/w640-h480/IMG_6196.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is how we ended up at a <a href="https://www.bizibermeo.eus/franciscan-church-and-cloisters">Franciscan convent</a> founded in 1357...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwZUnUmLW34EKyMa8Xs9MLRSJDbriu6QI-vWGXiSaHYJh1zBNtBIbi-DPzq5cWDseK7V6eoAf4N5RkKp7nlshRAWo5eyozHTSHte6D6IOp1ivDLuE2VJYNeNtuOTXAQ8eqsqNNO9GzCXJ7eMjBWV52dpbd4GpWhZ3npAGyr8idSEjV1MQSR2txuY_AFWS/s4032/IMG_6181.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwZUnUmLW34EKyMa8Xs9MLRSJDbriu6QI-vWGXiSaHYJh1zBNtBIbi-DPzq5cWDseK7V6eoAf4N5RkKp7nlshRAWo5eyozHTSHte6D6IOp1ivDLuE2VJYNeNtuOTXAQ8eqsqNNO9GzCXJ7eMjBWV52dpbd4GpWhZ3npAGyr8idSEjV1MQSR2txuY_AFWS/w480-h640/IMG_6181.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2P9JJHZaSuX18F-89StP-MJGgX1oeUQyAlkDwIYE0X5heiE5fxbEpO0nlhMBrl9VikMJBmZLzF8VnQqUfUbYigKXvsd5VxjpONXyubqDplCMoKmhwqfWIUNG-tO0_5Pg9uLXVbyRrN2pjxyzLI_Y-iF9KnITDn7ExhLEhpDmtd5fqv9R0aDIgMICjADr5/s4032/IMG_6186.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2P9JJHZaSuX18F-89StP-MJGgX1oeUQyAlkDwIYE0X5heiE5fxbEpO0nlhMBrl9VikMJBmZLzF8VnQqUfUbYigKXvsd5VxjpONXyubqDplCMoKmhwqfWIUNG-tO0_5Pg9uLXVbyRrN2pjxyzLI_Y-iF9KnITDn7ExhLEhpDmtd5fqv9R0aDIgMICjADr5/w480-h640/IMG_6186.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>inside the ornate <a href="https://www.retablosdebizkaia.com/bermeo-conjunto-de-la-asuncion-de-nuestra-senora/">Iglesia de la Asuncion de Maria</a>...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZR1z1B0IbF5AIdELS-KB379fkZEFAS0zzoj4waJFokm3o7eXi75kKcYMMa-hf-6qdzbPn5WTM48lU_4WCS6YkKyjNUMgt64a5zHZ5mhLSH7vVsr2JPntVtM7-Bw5lyCUlgurPgfUJfo8ur-SOBDgkww8pgd6AFIZtk2SmOQmyf8tL7E8L-MDHQro_X8z/s4032/IMG_6188.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZR1z1B0IbF5AIdELS-KB379fkZEFAS0zzoj4waJFokm3o7eXi75kKcYMMa-hf-6qdzbPn5WTM48lU_4WCS6YkKyjNUMgt64a5zHZ5mhLSH7vVsr2JPntVtM7-Bw5lyCUlgurPgfUJfo8ur-SOBDgkww8pgd6AFIZtk2SmOQmyf8tL7E8L-MDHQro_X8z/w640-h480/IMG_6188.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k6MZbnJa__b35aLoA-geC0K7y4JB9M4c5YsXdcAwQFR_ow-AyL2oTTSRRci6Of1qu54VD9bgK0Hyyn9OT5wKCz9-_qzERkmnpIGWgESuqNIhDFw2k6ckzmqxYiRANL_9jr9l2nI-lxOy5MZPCBBQ2qpKHCBXzG0fJ7Y7QOZNsEzpzwskijn_0gFoD0TN/s4032/IMG_6182.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k6MZbnJa__b35aLoA-geC0K7y4JB9M4c5YsXdcAwQFR_ow-AyL2oTTSRRci6Of1qu54VD9bgK0Hyyn9OT5wKCz9-_qzERkmnpIGWgESuqNIhDFw2k6ckzmqxYiRANL_9jr9l2nI-lxOy5MZPCBBQ2qpKHCBXzG0fJ7Y7QOZNsEzpzwskijn_0gFoD0TN/w480-h640/IMG_6182.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And at St Juan's Gate, the only remaining entrance of the city's original medieval wall and location of a magic footprint. The story is that St John the Baptist left the city through this door, making it to Dragonstone, about 8 miles away with just 3 footsteps. The footprint under the arch marks the 1st step and rumor has it if you place your foot on top of it, you will not get calluses for a year. I gave it a try and ended up breaking a toe a week later, so be careful what you wish for is all I'm saying. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL08vLHhAiKTh1E1T1FT3ni1iX2x7ptknH6qJeGS82pPI2FXIR5o0yz-qm8poUsaryLkzFQt08pSPfmmKwS_MwFfK6Xv_JhMX0WbDcGGdRJsxV7_ocyOMsUX8MFuAOuCZLl_mLU9bfRfmWUnHRyaoVF7gZBXDfwjWCyC-ZypZeHK2pFKH3QISOC4NC4pq/s4032/IMG_6189.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL08vLHhAiKTh1E1T1FT3ni1iX2x7ptknH6qJeGS82pPI2FXIR5o0yz-qm8poUsaryLkzFQt08pSPfmmKwS_MwFfK6Xv_JhMX0WbDcGGdRJsxV7_ocyOMsUX8MFuAOuCZLl_mLU9bfRfmWUnHRyaoVF7gZBXDfwjWCyC-ZypZeHK2pFKH3QISOC4NC4pq/w480-h640/IMG_6189.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Example #2, the adorable coastal village of <a href="https://www.euskoguide.com/places-basque-country/spain/getaria-tourism/">Getaria</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwQK09hWEakn0JzsisYr5CzfkSvFPxm7AtmKpq4mF87EZj5p87-kwq65DjuuB2-2s5YyjW03WT8SPn5wHQ4COULDOT0Egh_oMRm0jMPsL91qu--UJ1wyTgZu62yoMX0uRjC7qU0wWnYyiO68Ra7yWGP0wJMRDmaZ0uS2QP-U7ae05oqijYSUYUXI2iqCNd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwQK09hWEakn0JzsisYr5CzfkSvFPxm7AtmKpq4mF87EZj5p87-kwq65DjuuB2-2s5YyjW03WT8SPn5wHQ4COULDOT0Egh_oMRm0jMPsL91qu--UJ1wyTgZu62yoMX0uRjC7qU0wWnYyiO68Ra7yWGP0wJMRDmaZ0uS2QP-U7ae05oqijYSUYUXI2iqCNd=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPASq2cYkAZZw3i2qfLXGMg70Ujfy6y5ty1p8o6VISzupUqgt_d9bunvCKGFCDKsNa2y7Sf9dVtRVHdv2purYBbiH-Y_Xacn08ujCXfJUfzJy9fnQ6-V0y_uQ86dNcJdRynfkG4VAoO5nB7iIvJM-ZDqAjVJC4I4mtno3AIhLQnF5b11coTe64BRoklXH3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPASq2cYkAZZw3i2qfLXGMg70Ujfy6y5ty1p8o6VISzupUqgt_d9bunvCKGFCDKsNa2y7Sf9dVtRVHdv2purYBbiH-Y_Xacn08ujCXfJUfzJy9fnQ6-V0y_uQ86dNcJdRynfkG4VAoO5nB7iIvJM-ZDqAjVJC4I4mtno3AIhLQnF5b11coTe64BRoklXH3=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Its 1397-built Iglesia de San Salvador is unique in that it was built directly into the city walls, resulting in the floor of the church sloping upwards towards the altar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-DSCwTutH9UhBbZkUvcFc9VDzH0nMQMfppH4Wg0c16u0o4-2gYz5maVqZ2v8az9kKVbflSjElJiuJyM704zLX4TQ_7_BXfGoOg8XnkZOZreDo8hy2Iu6Hmbw9abKl2XKJvj1zExVMhjGqXsbM6KdukUB6uXJuvb2xxg5ONmDcDZbFut8q_fy5VpwNJMqz"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-DSCwTutH9UhBbZkUvcFc9VDzH0nMQMfppH4Wg0c16u0o4-2gYz5maVqZ2v8az9kKVbflSjElJiuJyM704zLX4TQ_7_BXfGoOg8XnkZOZreDo8hy2Iu6Hmbw9abKl2XKJvj1zExVMhjGqXsbM6KdukUB6uXJuvb2xxg5ONmDcDZbFut8q_fy5VpwNJMqz=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjavQ6wigoDgF4y377JK7rYvc5CcuWDhGCg5zZsagHE6SApygfHPwxElEs0wakU0VLcsmRV8jm5Y9Hjsdh65ejUOrIuByB8Sdke25c0Emf9seG2xz2OHFQ2nXPlae5OGiRFRLT4KOfcseCdX2mRVO1J6y4EXeJgiQgOUaJ32eiXbspYe2grGGP_IHpA0FDZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjavQ6wigoDgF4y377JK7rYvc5CcuWDhGCg5zZsagHE6SApygfHPwxElEs0wakU0VLcsmRV8jm5Y9Hjsdh65ejUOrIuByB8Sdke25c0Emf9seG2xz2OHFQ2nXPlae5OGiRFRLT4KOfcseCdX2mRVO1J6y4EXeJgiQgOUaJ32eiXbspYe2grGGP_IHpA0FDZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjniWPHSu9lcF1huC5JEIzfGtvLDFpFhaNCQJ9LAqn65DnKmKjIyjAdJxh9fF7n6g0AJkHUBSvAXKUwBNQxMKks587Jpl2aVWvu_sNpJg18ATk4YQlFZr-vEVASDw8Qb_WOk46TW1UUJHv9DSArRd59WAbeHnplPkTQc9NKQrSatiu9335cLb_WX6HmOlRM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjniWPHSu9lcF1huC5JEIzfGtvLDFpFhaNCQJ9LAqn65DnKmKjIyjAdJxh9fF7n6g0AJkHUBSvAXKUwBNQxMKks587Jpl2aVWvu_sNpJg18ATk4YQlFZr-vEVASDw8Qb_WOk46TW1UUJHv9DSArRd59WAbeHnplPkTQc9NKQrSatiu9335cLb_WX6HmOlRM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The town is mainly known for two things: freshly caught seafood that is grilled in specially made ovens built right into the outside walls (so as to not stink up the restaurants themselves, just the town) and for being the childhood home of fashion designer, <a href="https://www.cristobalbalenciagamuseoa.com/en/">Cristobal Balenciaga</a>. I personally don't eat seafood or care even the slightest bit about high fashion so I prefer to remember lovely Getaria as the home of the vending machine ass stickers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjqqcBI0AJowr-wwIpSKYyLmhr-qsQnLGH_6pdfLT-lLJ7LBZHVK4vky_VJZlvobKJaQVL4q3uHL8n63BqnI0PXFFZ-uqgnZkcrFRm781O5foJQKPBS9HPQB4f1kfcPE3CAFHZ5K_2vlFLngXIuX5XdwHetM5gniRtry-IvD21Eq-uPsSqaHG4qClayPhG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjqqcBI0AJowr-wwIpSKYyLmhr-qsQnLGH_6pdfLT-lLJ7LBZHVK4vky_VJZlvobKJaQVL4q3uHL8n63BqnI0PXFFZ-uqgnZkcrFRm781O5foJQKPBS9HPQB4f1kfcPE3CAFHZ5K_2vlFLngXIuX5XdwHetM5gniRtry-IvD21Eq-uPsSqaHG4qClayPhG=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>4. Dragonstone</div><div>This would have been where St John the Baptist planted that third step, only he probably wouldn't call it by that moniker. He would most likely prefer its <i>real</i> name, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (meaning St John of the Rock Castle). It did not become Dragonstone until season 7 of Game of Thrones when good girl gone bad Daenerys arrived at her ancestral homeland. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja2oLNbU58ve50YFBH3rGWAPZPNQtZKpoy5Igz8VznXge7gsgc25URPsj6MpcdU8_WAHrnRoqL3tlTHMeuVOoLDwJs04k7mS69CKR1k_7aLE0Qu6Cy4Nr76EwMF_anpbevRP7ZBiWt-hKduc5DYGqW4s-LV7kmQ0iLEO0dGMcFPfB152d2bYCjMcH8tLs/s4032/IMG_6212.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja2oLNbU58ve50YFBH3rGWAPZPNQtZKpoy5Igz8VznXge7gsgc25URPsj6MpcdU8_WAHrnRoqL3tlTHMeuVOoLDwJs04k7mS69CKR1k_7aLE0Qu6Cy4Nr76EwMF_anpbevRP7ZBiWt-hKduc5DYGqW4s-LV7kmQ0iLEO0dGMcFPfB152d2bYCjMcH8tLs/w480-h640/IMG_6212.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dXSMXE2iXc257EOVoWff90Sy97Y0M_pSsyroQPoi3xC_ucQvTWPQ1NljQXEk8Ox6Xya18czfGEQEYXT38JRs5RIpAff3UJmqU7G1JFVqfpUnQfVme0WJrZimnMat1ckYAccStVF0L8GbNGqGlcajrCxA0syZhSw15LtyhC9vVDh5OyVXCR4za5Us7zKi/s4032/IMG_6251.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dXSMXE2iXc257EOVoWff90Sy97Y0M_pSsyroQPoi3xC_ucQvTWPQ1NljQXEk8Ox6Xya18czfGEQEYXT38JRs5RIpAff3UJmqU7G1JFVqfpUnQfVme0WJrZimnMat1ckYAccStVF0L8GbNGqGlcajrCxA0syZhSw15LtyhC9vVDh5OyVXCR4za5Us7zKi/w640-h480/IMG_6251.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She brought with her a couple of dragons and a whole lot of interest to what was previously a quiet place of religious pilgrimage. The tiny islet connected by 241 man-made steps leads to a church dedicated to Mr 3 Steps himself. It is still popular with fishermen who come to have their boats blessed prior to tuna season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is even more popular with fans of GoT who now swarm the place, causing the protected area's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">custodians to put a reservation system into place. It is free to get in but you do have to make a <a href="http://www.tiketa.eus/gaztelugatxe/">reservation online</a> before arriving. They are generally booked months ahead of time but if you check at the designated times for that day's no shows, you have a good chance of getting in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5q0zEem2AD8niZypI-YLAGPLMLp2xwffKPpi71q7b1yJ6Piz5CJq-nKANXq3-XmhJuY9i7MFJXuUKyjA-VYkCtwkHtMeizggV-aG4wBbVR27nVUvKviwdOY9qf8QEC92i3Sumz5RR7ofx1LrI6Xh4WTBEMmUxg6_9O7linXx1Z0daAGcI3niyHXSa1OG/s4032/IMG_1422.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5q0zEem2AD8niZypI-YLAGPLMLp2xwffKPpi71q7b1yJ6Piz5CJq-nKANXq3-XmhJuY9i7MFJXuUKyjA-VYkCtwkHtMeizggV-aG4wBbVR27nVUvKviwdOY9qf8QEC92i3Sumz5RR7ofx1LrI6Xh4WTBEMmUxg6_9O7linXx1Z0daAGcI3niyHXSa1OG/w480-h640/IMG_1422.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiRjmn_plrxXk6Z_0qKpvHzNT9MmEWF2pG4YzadS6JaJQwV8ZqJOAk3RFmEUBAVbYxudOOq4X7tZr0E0sFaaVQPs5w0ryoUVj875Y7KE-OTL-D1HHsOOyk0WauojTKsn-6jaAPYKVKWR2T75BGkZttA61GSnXQq0duNmbX0mFO5Zuhj1HU_BybJBp18Ms/s4032/IMG_1426.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiRjmn_plrxXk6Z_0qKpvHzNT9MmEWF2pG4YzadS6JaJQwV8ZqJOAk3RFmEUBAVbYxudOOq4X7tZr0E0sFaaVQPs5w0ryoUVj875Y7KE-OTL-D1HHsOOyk0WauojTKsn-6jaAPYKVKWR2T75BGkZttA61GSnXQq0duNmbX0mFO5Zuhj1HU_BybJBp18Ms/w480-h640/IMG_1426.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or maybe we just really lucky. Either way, I'm so glad we got in because it is ridiculously rugged and gorgeous. Rorgeous? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_VUrFQmbYBa72702HSz2KeJVK74u9lhPtrb2mbtkQOqofGGNkfV22jkhEeD6uieTd_xBrMeUEdRjGVSJX3_TVDWedrRvkBhBNziPD-ff4cXVn4yWl56htZQOI7i21O2ilq-yN7ayxWF-b2ikqMss-p_SihO2xHW8Mw-_0967lvSDj9RptZZGZUP0Sq_M/s4032/IMG_6235.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_VUrFQmbYBa72702HSz2KeJVK74u9lhPtrb2mbtkQOqofGGNkfV22jkhEeD6uieTd_xBrMeUEdRjGVSJX3_TVDWedrRvkBhBNziPD-ff4cXVn4yWl56htZQOI7i21O2ilq-yN7ayxWF-b2ikqMss-p_SihO2xHW8Mw-_0967lvSDj9RptZZGZUP0Sq_M/w480-h640/IMG_6235.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyBPWtifTikdmjbySIehT2e3qGk_NKDtdqN7NShdtzT-6m7Qf89iXYTVKIiOKk69ToBNjShc9hZfb7lEP8uvgptJGJPtsrgvincaoUf8fr42cMfugnM_9QaR3k3qO6hZIz95334IUKweVnDGKBhpVqPCHKTuoHFT4caYNFZ1Smey3ZJcTPNJn4IEy47Hc/s4032/IMG_6242.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyBPWtifTikdmjbySIehT2e3qGk_NKDtdqN7NShdtzT-6m7Qf89iXYTVKIiOKk69ToBNjShc9hZfb7lEP8uvgptJGJPtsrgvincaoUf8fr42cMfugnM_9QaR3k3qO6hZIz95334IUKweVnDGKBhpVqPCHKTuoHFT4caYNFZ1Smey3ZJcTPNJn4IEy47Hc/w480-h640/IMG_6242.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpYqx24PEAEUxP-cDhCHFQFBOnVwYPaoWwSGiobDvHvHleSmAIS4jtMl_7XxgTF6v2V8iw4XgFH9J_5TUvDonZo6iejzcRkcdbUBltmibCiHf4New7R_-geREZCipRM3IutH5Tiq5z2YvqNGDBBKxygeDDFtrRW_B-MYgZSEieVDnX0YYEEdO4umAeFTy/s4032/IMG_6246.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpYqx24PEAEUxP-cDhCHFQFBOnVwYPaoWwSGiobDvHvHleSmAIS4jtMl_7XxgTF6v2V8iw4XgFH9J_5TUvDonZo6iejzcRkcdbUBltmibCiHf4New7R_-geREZCipRM3IutH5Tiq5z2YvqNGDBBKxygeDDFtrRW_B-MYgZSEieVDnX0YYEEdO4umAeFTy/w480-h640/IMG_6246.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp7RA27hSSV8UfQvLXfJ6W0CMq9yA3i9KuaJiwbCwViueq1CF5jZGJt6vQcK7cOEFKtxDVbcRcc76LdsJyLv5zDa_HDvQVKRPBQ3JM44pbOMcpvnWnhAUZpSTxEFLIqXDQqHO-epX-AnHfuuyELOy6fn1UOJbqWmyB9038Lj7jtBpXwjN46mkzOOCCmih/s4032/IMG_6249.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp7RA27hSSV8UfQvLXfJ6W0CMq9yA3i9KuaJiwbCwViueq1CF5jZGJt6vQcK7cOEFKtxDVbcRcc76LdsJyLv5zDa_HDvQVKRPBQ3JM44pbOMcpvnWnhAUZpSTxEFLIqXDQqHO-epX-AnHfuuyELOy6fn1UOJbqWmyB9038Lj7jtBpXwjN46mkzOOCCmih/w640-h480/IMG_6249.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>5. Public transit</div><div>Of all the impressive things we experienced, this is probably the one that most blew me away. The public transportation system is not only extremely reliable, clean and accessible, it is also incredibly cheap once you buy the transit card. We were going for hour + long rides to neighboring towns and paying a total of 50 cents each way. The buses will get you to the most remote of places with the longest wait we experienced being 30 minutes. The same card that gets you on the bus also gets you on the metro, the Vizcaya bridge and even a funicular with fantastic views over Bilbao. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dd11xfGhs3uWUbC2WcDGFUl2e6VU1pkMBPUc-8Ev1YiIfk7wI5vZz_PkFqDB90Pr_eMfapblkUxSWkRHhVxd2eK2vaj95LQwwm_HFOzS3EUOmXivOLPcQeW4_8Ak6cBusCj3OtW4wn8beJMqtFBeWPRK8s-O3QWNreBxNM2-EW0n03hiE4EkdXMMkDNe/s4032/IMG_6384.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dd11xfGhs3uWUbC2WcDGFUl2e6VU1pkMBPUc-8Ev1YiIfk7wI5vZz_PkFqDB90Pr_eMfapblkUxSWkRHhVxd2eK2vaj95LQwwm_HFOzS3EUOmXivOLPcQeW4_8Ak6cBusCj3OtW4wn8beJMqtFBeWPRK8s-O3QWNreBxNM2-EW0n03hiE4EkdXMMkDNe/w640-h480/IMG_6384.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhFy8_kHBT_OgFA_Ye8rejt5EGVpgJLt6n0R62AbFf1Ad5eLDGRZKlznauHNVqhnBNFF3S4pUiwx886w62XfIVgFkXDpAZhvZ8B8GUi4AxqkByFTCwMqgONsNeCscFGBW_8RfgPv7U9Z-Pg3h36hrDOj4RCc5osJH4gzH0LLRAdvnkoJur6zDOeEnW-_w/s4032/IMG_6388.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhFy8_kHBT_OgFA_Ye8rejt5EGVpgJLt6n0R62AbFf1Ad5eLDGRZKlznauHNVqhnBNFF3S4pUiwx886w62XfIVgFkXDpAZhvZ8B8GUi4AxqkByFTCwMqgONsNeCscFGBW_8RfgPv7U9Z-Pg3h36hrDOj4RCc5osJH4gzH0LLRAdvnkoJur6zDOeEnW-_w/w480-h640/IMG_6388.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdNrzR1vv-c5Uignvs7-QOsTpSqkNinPkcrMWGMZt12j7iWurST6AesK419zV7s0ek4T-Ngw7faaCQeIqoP_oUlyb1yrtmv8HF0nDWoNFEA84-0AbDeZfNUzYh6t3c91YcHlDH7-H-cE1t7hjFYp0yme6cCP4wU33HI6_q9IxBDFMBk6XAtzZcAyewSe7/s4032/IMG_6400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdNrzR1vv-c5Uignvs7-QOsTpSqkNinPkcrMWGMZt12j7iWurST6AesK419zV7s0ek4T-Ngw7faaCQeIqoP_oUlyb1yrtmv8HF0nDWoNFEA84-0AbDeZfNUzYh6t3c91YcHlDH7-H-cE1t7hjFYp0yme6cCP4wU33HI6_q9IxBDFMBk6XAtzZcAyewSe7/w640-h480/IMG_6400.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I could (and will) go on but this post is getting too long so...to be cont'd.</div></div><a name='more'></a>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-26370510740163005212023-08-12T12:06:00.038-05:002023-09-17T12:46:08.528-05:00The many sides of Split<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZsUk9S9ojyx8IFaJgRVFrfiDCtyLUoyZZw4GEpA5xCHD_ZZt6ymuQxq_18i9p-b9dyf57fpHR_FvpOR8Y6m2-iJ9zcUFFS6VeSGymagN3tat_JHcHvm9HvpfKwd1Ha9-beRqMnt3r6EZjkniFZnCwmxMtZVxL5PAE1nnxNKsM0LAqyAZcmoG2SYMd_JS/s4032/IMG_5596.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZsUk9S9ojyx8IFaJgRVFrfiDCtyLUoyZZw4GEpA5xCHD_ZZt6ymuQxq_18i9p-b9dyf57fpHR_FvpOR8Y6m2-iJ9zcUFFS6VeSGymagN3tat_JHcHvm9HvpfKwd1Ha9-beRqMnt3r6EZjkniFZnCwmxMtZVxL5PAE1nnxNKsM0LAqyAZcmoG2SYMd_JS/w640-h480/IMG_5596.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Split, Croatia is many thing. At first, I only knew it as the place my friend and travel buddy, David, wanted to visit. I'd already been to nearby Dubrovnik but the flights were cheap and the company excellent so why not? It wasn't until we spent a couple of days that I realized just how much this little seaside city had to offer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For one, it is the very definition of a living museum. Our excellent hostel, <a href="http://backpackersfairytalehostel.com/">Backpackers Fairytale</a>, was just up the road from an area marked on the map as Diocletian's Palace. This being Europe, it is not really that big a thing to encounter a palace, castle or other royal-type abode. I figured there would be a museum, possibly with era-appropriate furnishings and a heavily landscaped garden inhabited by an errant cherub or two. I figured wrong. This is not that kind of palace. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This palace was not one structure. Or a couple of adjacent buildings. This is a whole damn city. The Roman Emperor Diocletian decided he wanted to retire before he got killed, the usual fate for Roman Emperors. It was the 4th century, he had the money and manpower so he decided to build a retirement home somewhere pretty and with good weather (not unlike all those Florida retirees). Since he was originally from the Dalmation Coast, he chose to build near Salona, its administrative center. But this was not to be just his home. It also had to provide him with a work space, a public square and housing for his entire garrison- really the original work/live concept. In reality, it was more a fort than a palace and a really big fort at that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, it makes up almost the entirety of Split's old town. Approximately 2000 people still live within its walls. The windy streets once patrolled by the Emperor's guards are now home to a multitude of souvenir stands, restaurants and at least two rubber duck shops. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l9qmiwUvmeE0piI4XzUn8svL6688CIKjW6_Tgq88UwSZqA6h0ujNOb2JvtQw8jDjeBUHHxAe7bW-aYzxzAIKjQ5frFPicAjwAW03WFy2KTUJor7TI6blvso35n8Ngfj8fuRBepXo8A2XDyCL_HCbBjYO26YyU90KZ0_2g9SI2UtTZC7032HPt39Mln4L/s4032/IMG_5406.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l9qmiwUvmeE0piI4XzUn8svL6688CIKjW6_Tgq88UwSZqA6h0ujNOb2JvtQw8jDjeBUHHxAe7bW-aYzxzAIKjQ5frFPicAjwAW03WFy2KTUJor7TI6blvso35n8Ngfj8fuRBepXo8A2XDyCL_HCbBjYO26YyU90KZ0_2g9SI2UtTZC7032HPt39Mln4L/w480-h640/IMG_5406.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are four entrances into the complex. The one closest to us, the Golden Gate, is guarded by a 28 ft statue of Croatian bishop, Gregory of Nin. He is the person who opposed the Roman church's edict that all masses should be in Latin and introduced services in the Croatian language. Today, he is seen as the defender of Croatian culture and owner of a lucky toe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmUvFYRqwv0lm-86SCqv0AwKcA4adPyFPbFwMkiUCLjzzTP50VZRyVlqMHpohslU_m0DNTuf9TMJ8KxvT6XJD1LhQma-bRuFnGVa90KMmL1dFVGuGdj4HeHSwzYxfuWAwQC1ypa5vFbGBNfSovwv3kI_ifuPHqC_yg9CjcryE2fOzCOyis4eybk_SEmaW/s4032/IMG_5372.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmUvFYRqwv0lm-86SCqv0AwKcA4adPyFPbFwMkiUCLjzzTP50VZRyVlqMHpohslU_m0DNTuf9TMJ8KxvT6XJD1LhQma-bRuFnGVa90KMmL1dFVGuGdj4HeHSwzYxfuWAwQC1ypa5vFbGBNfSovwv3kI_ifuPHqC_yg9CjcryE2fOzCOyis4eybk_SEmaW/w480-h640/IMG_5372.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintFhcK3ETSENVNXwYE_zEZ8veyu80DeK4-crSFadPUHiA5nQh6VOenDQ9-DjOq1o6y0388MPfgA0UJ-6porJvDdL7m1V_CaLGZNS_5jQj5SsUc341GBnQq-DFBViK9EyfkNYFzz4P6I8pQSXm2RmhIczS3FdkDUGSudDPJULH4RiXblgXlP_-Z-fQb_Qt/s4032/IMG_5400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintFhcK3ETSENVNXwYE_zEZ8veyu80DeK4-crSFadPUHiA5nQh6VOenDQ9-DjOq1o6y0388MPfgA0UJ-6porJvDdL7m1V_CaLGZNS_5jQj5SsUc341GBnQq-DFBViK9EyfkNYFzz4P6I8pQSXm2RmhIczS3FdkDUGSudDPJULH4RiXblgXlP_-Z-fQb_Qt/w640-h480/IMG_5400.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For reasons that were never made clear to me, it is considered good luck to rub his big toe. Its golden hue is a result of many decades of people making wishes while rubbing the charmed digit. It's not just this statue of Gregory either. Other versions throughout Croatia have met the same fate.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XZs3CKW7TEJ040H-TfDN5pfNn5z2q57ZeIQfVpUzVZ7NNbHaM4ci26M5UG0EQi-hGX7CjLMw3ZJ5wm52wL4J7Uxgt80wzJoTZvFt4_rEvmshjB-yoAm7wkaI6TqjO_6p41TwmJDRxZREfw5QvT6dRa-61vBdhJm7y0HsX_Pv6ymaEQ6emxTLKu9Xv7eu/s4032/IMG_5401.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XZs3CKW7TEJ040H-TfDN5pfNn5z2q57ZeIQfVpUzVZ7NNbHaM4ci26M5UG0EQi-hGX7CjLMw3ZJ5wm52wL4J7Uxgt80wzJoTZvFt4_rEvmshjB-yoAm7wkaI6TqjO_6p41TwmJDRxZREfw5QvT6dRa-61vBdhJm7y0HsX_Pv6ymaEQ6emxTLKu9Xv7eu/w480-h640/IMG_5401.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On our second full day, we took a walking tour of the Palace where the guide stressed that this was not just ancient history. This UNESCO world heritage site is still very much the beating heart of the city and who is to argue. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVK2m9lG29SFc1Q2piiFR8kCvxuqkzpDQujf1rHsdk2DocrmNehnQe-t285XM3HPxGrfy4p5W9NFLPDy9vZLQG3pdvuDq6EAponkVShhfSOF4I8Pk6Ahnxo7KxjBpUkzwErDKcMSzoU6HOGzP3tkk8iMhbqG4olpeszvu4WRJqWZJDCoeXaZDqbkKQHkQ/s4032/IMG_5404.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVK2m9lG29SFc1Q2piiFR8kCvxuqkzpDQujf1rHsdk2DocrmNehnQe-t285XM3HPxGrfy4p5W9NFLPDy9vZLQG3pdvuDq6EAponkVShhfSOF4I8Pk6Ahnxo7KxjBpUkzwErDKcMSzoU6HOGzP3tkk8iMhbqG4olpeszvu4WRJqWZJDCoeXaZDqbkKQHkQ/w480-h640/IMG_5404.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She pointed out a sphinx that we had walked by many times without notice. It is approximately 3500 years old and one of a dozen brought over from Egypt by Diocletian. He was building his own mausoleum and wanted to cover all his bases, religion-wise. The Christians came later and decapitated most of his cohorts but the one on the Peristyle somehow survived. Perhaps he had a go at the lucky toe. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L49YRgKe_nyh6b_aIul-lWSXd3Lk7UCJPwqGWKvLkfPaRZPgVWirOKa0hw2XrnwUfqvalBEYap-cMb3DwvysWHK2uOYJzDUf6ZJC1dKUnIFu3SqZHZgW_Dj9yOOkGn1dOl0D5hHL7SSeq4wHIM4eDPbWUiOyc8oZ9XPs9bMZm2r4Usd4LLHJbCxbP5E8/s4032/IMG_5409.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L49YRgKe_nyh6b_aIul-lWSXd3Lk7UCJPwqGWKvLkfPaRZPgVWirOKa0hw2XrnwUfqvalBEYap-cMb3DwvysWHK2uOYJzDUf6ZJC1dKUnIFu3SqZHZgW_Dj9yOOkGn1dOl0D5hHL7SSeq4wHIM4eDPbWUiOyc8oZ9XPs9bMZm2r4Usd4LLHJbCxbP5E8/w480-h640/IMG_5409.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIQNx_7YKpfRrbV9gEpr5lwx2O81X9vTxpS_qKlDukZR8jEeD__cndvSV9EX-KhCxo28MDLSN6AcAkwxTw18wWtERxaroVnqwpMpDU8t1FwxAh9yHS8lq2GwtnNYrxK2I09Yzh1O0vwddOEON--2fuljc7la00XAh5u4m0ZDwf4_Iq6pdTY2ws49_OH0c/s4032/IMG_5552.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIQNx_7YKpfRrbV9gEpr5lwx2O81X9vTxpS_qKlDukZR8jEeD__cndvSV9EX-KhCxo28MDLSN6AcAkwxTw18wWtERxaroVnqwpMpDU8t1FwxAh9yHS8lq2GwtnNYrxK2I09Yzh1O0vwddOEON--2fuljc7la00XAh5u4m0ZDwf4_Iq6pdTY2ws49_OH0c/w480-h640/IMG_5552.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF31TYWEGUIAneR203T8-36C-ZCjnOAz-lpHAx8t7nt5swGXeR47W1sv-brHxgkVLgWDJpm6QS4tNwesToqbbRmeN7G_O9LO5sSdhcOfBmY1qFtaVgj4VJY0u8DBPWgCtUfLwa8y6Nmv3DufwBejY-a9VS4IRAw7dJjPJiVXlkzl_OoEmKJO4t_yhotYr/s4032/IMG_5623.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF31TYWEGUIAneR203T8-36C-ZCjnOAz-lpHAx8t7nt5swGXeR47W1sv-brHxgkVLgWDJpm6QS4tNwesToqbbRmeN7G_O9LO5sSdhcOfBmY1qFtaVgj4VJY0u8DBPWgCtUfLwa8y6Nmv3DufwBejY-a9VS4IRAw7dJjPJiVXlkzl_OoEmKJO4t_yhotYr/w480-h640/IMG_5623.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg3z4loKMq9s_m45su9XGOrHTkIW6MKlx0QW4Nd1NQQmGuqv5Aoi73kjpvZcwFsTz2hQq1ZIQVfNOSvzoLxyzO4J4lRLDtAqKqJ34noVagUiGN9wDtQTMX604j4foKwOTNRnPxsKr7wa_kXjGCF3Z3HfrcsEeitRd7oox2fOTdSxA5WP4oybUDeTi7_nD/s4032/IMG_5585.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg3z4loKMq9s_m45su9XGOrHTkIW6MKlx0QW4Nd1NQQmGuqv5Aoi73kjpvZcwFsTz2hQq1ZIQVfNOSvzoLxyzO4J4lRLDtAqKqJ34noVagUiGN9wDtQTMX604j4foKwOTNRnPxsKr7wa_kXjGCF3Z3HfrcsEeitRd7oox2fOTdSxA5WP4oybUDeTi7_nD/w480-h640/IMG_5585.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHcH-dt-XNcJ6mWfXKbugETiEb1zoEraUqPFn-9nX5NsxEhDu-94-97WyPELqaOFklrwJ3BtLBUHLZzfrKgnSVEf8B4sEOt_FcWhf0_NYPA_6e7OuIcCCO9wj_ruea0TanBog34pdbCHzB-RaJ9ylfiO6z37S26LF7l7UcKBMMjQj2g4YnjqpqZhT1TJ5/s4032/IMG_5558.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHcH-dt-XNcJ6mWfXKbugETiEb1zoEraUqPFn-9nX5NsxEhDu-94-97WyPELqaOFklrwJ3BtLBUHLZzfrKgnSVEf8B4sEOt_FcWhf0_NYPA_6e7OuIcCCO9wj_ruea0TanBog34pdbCHzB-RaJ9ylfiO6z37S26LF7l7UcKBMMjQj2g4YnjqpqZhT1TJ5/w480-h640/IMG_5558.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>She also tipped off us that at noon everyday, none other than Diocletian himself (or let's call him a Croatian student dressed as him) makes an appearance along with his Praetorian Guard to greet the assembled crowds. Back then, people regarded him as the son of Jupiter and a living god himself. They would prostrate themselves on the ground before him. Today, it's a little different. He comes out to a very cinematic score, which is more effective than it had any right to be, waves to the iphone waving crowds and in the end engages in a very Jeb Bush-ian "Please clap."</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1exUF89rPsQodQ0QSO4EwczaraOPodkb1zEr0UCI2ZgV-IX-NXLbg3XmoUse09LgIIs1HzEdcuJ7twj_U8si0cV3wBaFEUSS7sQJXxssEzHKf31pqLVHI6QDq3WdICzRZr2cz2g0Im50cjoIix6GFqK2v7ugcx_i7thsFN2XWNiY2jrAbN_AkRVQo0CwH/s4032/IMG_5565.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1exUF89rPsQodQ0QSO4EwczaraOPodkb1zEr0UCI2ZgV-IX-NXLbg3XmoUse09LgIIs1HzEdcuJ7twj_U8si0cV3wBaFEUSS7sQJXxssEzHKf31pqLVHI6QDq3WdICzRZr2cz2g0Im50cjoIix6GFqK2v7ugcx_i7thsFN2XWNiY2jrAbN_AkRVQo0CwH/w640-h480/IMG_5565.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrItLudVd_lG7COdWtE5Od3vR3zf6-7899YDp0E86jYMC-R-r09AFbBkKOZSMEKeU1zN2DImEMI7MyT05CwyMI90Mb6YmBhYoAvNBSM7j2pYVIh-uMvEleOZbZnf5-tuj8JMnVWexVP12ZJ83BauOcmQOkXmnKeWoawJPio7KIsXM426tvFSXFyAW3wrT/s4032/IMG_5567.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrItLudVd_lG7COdWtE5Od3vR3zf6-7899YDp0E86jYMC-R-r09AFbBkKOZSMEKeU1zN2DImEMI7MyT05CwyMI90Mb6YmBhYoAvNBSM7j2pYVIh-uMvEleOZbZnf5-tuj8JMnVWexVP12ZJ83BauOcmQOkXmnKeWoawJPio7KIsXM426tvFSXFyAW3wrT/w480-h640/IMG_5567.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lest you think Split is just a historic destination, it is not. It is also very much a party city. We were there during weekdays so we did not get to witness it at its peak but there were enough context clues to indicate that this town goes off, perhaps a bit too much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During our stay, we enjoyed a BYOB sunset cruise:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrg6JdUYXzsqtBOelqU3OR9tyZgmw5WTuqsdvjwqry6qLugsa7YV1UZ6ADeeITTy7aVc7KbzvF4VcMD39YJ3HdfSr4m5uzM-RVDIE1Ri9mdFIhJXJNQl_oJ8ERMjQM-DOFhfxbulDw2E-kdu8fieI-eCphJE3pFqd-17Kpz_Fycv9DdFV_Nd6cMOwxbRCy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrg6JdUYXzsqtBOelqU3OR9tyZgmw5WTuqsdvjwqry6qLugsa7YV1UZ6ADeeITTy7aVc7KbzvF4VcMD39YJ3HdfSr4m5uzM-RVDIE1Ri9mdFIhJXJNQl_oJ8ERMjQM-DOFhfxbulDw2E-kdu8fieI-eCphJE3pFqd-17Kpz_Fycv9DdFV_Nd6cMOwxbRCy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj4omt2vDnfkYHvJZfBCQfq--Yg55IRdy-eOlLToxTpuue-EmikUr-tMhPTMCAIFaIO3eQVy4oGF7ustyLJS2Xn_SeIhuZGpu0A_yXqkjLj-jSbadJKkL8YB8VZptEtl-v7GoFbxpPr3ffTN4CGACUGJX30EwOkY2rdU_Kj9IOe44OqbdPTLIGAIKl7GW/s4032/IMG_5381.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj4omt2vDnfkYHvJZfBCQfq--Yg55IRdy-eOlLToxTpuue-EmikUr-tMhPTMCAIFaIO3eQVy4oGF7ustyLJS2Xn_SeIhuZGpu0A_yXqkjLj-jSbadJKkL8YB8VZptEtl-v7GoFbxpPr3ffTN4CGACUGJX30EwOkY2rdU_Kj9IOe44OqbdPTLIGAIKl7GW/w640-h480/IMG_5381.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKr1TVVFaw26ZN-zwNNZTP1GHsnrGSyDsXsXVodHoIWf7EZ8nVkiU2i4YO27MzY-6V5VDaXoOyOxchi0n_Xf6xmLuadw9KsPSPzNnbCF2n7C0yCs4d4PnV5grY7RL0px41UQgezOtkWm03Rrs4g-5l3ZK3PBAZrfFWkfcbTZZi1TTy18AjsygpuNYvOXD/s3840/19859DD6-94CC-4534-AD0A-A7DD92A97816.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKr1TVVFaw26ZN-zwNNZTP1GHsnrGSyDsXsXVodHoIWf7EZ8nVkiU2i4YO27MzY-6V5VDaXoOyOxchi0n_Xf6xmLuadw9KsPSPzNnbCF2n7C0yCs4d4PnV5grY7RL0px41UQgezOtkWm03Rrs4g-5l3ZK3PBAZrfFWkfcbTZZi1TTy18AjsygpuNYvOXD/w640-h360/19859DD6-94CC-4534-AD0A-A7DD92A97816.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabriquepub/">funky bar/ restaurant</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lZ_TcbyKBmUAdtE04j7fEbaCZPPdvgkaOE379j1iv0lDBOOR0DS_4Ih4a0LaQUF9KxFc2dm3LSV2afC0APbck1gvs1HTvX1uA3-IPcGAEUcsHwLpc9O-aqA-vmZg1mE9cCpwsgthH2C1OeZB_K8sjagn0K6VFws6O8ZFeJ1NH9_P65Viud5gKosiuvDe/s4032/IMG_5394.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lZ_TcbyKBmUAdtE04j7fEbaCZPPdvgkaOE379j1iv0lDBOOR0DS_4Ih4a0LaQUF9KxFc2dm3LSV2afC0APbck1gvs1HTvX1uA3-IPcGAEUcsHwLpc9O-aqA-vmZg1mE9cCpwsgthH2C1OeZB_K8sjagn0K6VFws6O8ZFeJ1NH9_P65Viud5gKosiuvDe/w480-h640/IMG_5394.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br style="text-align: center;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My personal favorite, the hipster <a href="https://www.timeout.com/croatia/bars-and-pubs/academia-ghetto-club">Accademia Ghetto Club</a>, where David ended up being gifted a handmade crocheted hat (not by the demon dude but by a very cute Croatian girl):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4PJJ8HPhJtibayr3WeqFRb4BgJvc9ACRaPiB5JMkyagSNqBbhB5PA3YvdOvJl10pWyGZvVaaswqVMG4BL9cLM_T3E1jQt68O0TvquSh_Y-QCrm3cboqYiuZkVVD-A1vAZoBumRPtJucf3F2kP5UrpaEx9W9bgDM1rIDVPRkjaekjO4w_lXxCaKRkEreS/s4032/IMG_5554.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4PJJ8HPhJtibayr3WeqFRb4BgJvc9ACRaPiB5JMkyagSNqBbhB5PA3YvdOvJl10pWyGZvVaaswqVMG4BL9cLM_T3E1jQt68O0TvquSh_Y-QCrm3cboqYiuZkVVD-A1vAZoBumRPtJucf3F2kP5UrpaEx9W9bgDM1rIDVPRkjaekjO4w_lXxCaKRkEreS/w640-h480/IMG_5554.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And the best last night in Split spot, a <a href="https://lvxor.hr/en/home/">cafe in the main square </a>with nightly live music: </div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9sVcoicNUq1XDXxQbNLhcBKNXN1KDsoS5cuSfQb5K5ntNjdpSMolfR8gSSVhpEaRNID9KmdAv-TZp261jNyYdZrqod8XN_ARu5PRWZueTfm4QhLJAbvmaH4Cs6nU-1MbcQH3jTcD7a0_d8WctFPxsM7j2l-kz-e1zzh2g5gJFFJyMzHRXJ3MUX-Xa8ia/s4032/IMG_5630.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9sVcoicNUq1XDXxQbNLhcBKNXN1KDsoS5cuSfQb5K5ntNjdpSMolfR8gSSVhpEaRNID9KmdAv-TZp261jNyYdZrqod8XN_ARu5PRWZueTfm4QhLJAbvmaH4Cs6nU-1MbcQH3jTcD7a0_d8WctFPxsM7j2l-kz-e1zzh2g5gJFFJyMzHRXJ3MUX-Xa8ia/w480-h640/IMG_5630.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What we did not experience was the typical Brit stag/ hen party behavior terrorizing so many European cities. It is evident that it very much a thing based on the menu of fines dotting the city center. Things have gotten to the point where local authorities have had to ban things as varied as passing out in public, swimming in fountains and projectile pooping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBQ7RYIIYB_SV0u05AYiukP0haAGXzgqkrC1PIWmkpyTJRdFWlZDBcs9l01HDVblyZ186iWVoJLFuRSzZqV5s13P21oxCTMfzBTJRngefOzNu2lWoBN2aGyreKywV0ORb4qOYfEK3VrSVwkxTFhiJVKeeKpK26pWSpw3_Zvd4peEL3ezUiSBFYDs0TY4b/s4032/IMG_5396.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBQ7RYIIYB_SV0u05AYiukP0haAGXzgqkrC1PIWmkpyTJRdFWlZDBcs9l01HDVblyZ186iWVoJLFuRSzZqV5s13P21oxCTMfzBTJRngefOzNu2lWoBN2aGyreKywV0ORb4qOYfEK3VrSVwkxTFhiJVKeeKpK26pWSpw3_Zvd4peEL3ezUiSBFYDs0TY4b/w480-h640/IMG_5396.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i3L1wrKwl-yymMZTB5bHAwlUoT22zYLNc1yk6zi5aLfFaKXeSYZdT0eOm7VUwG-NODAVmN5suuKijDtUDl8lsgOqFy1zdzUBLO36gz_PM1Zx-IFJ_WA0MlRUJ_E-O_xx8JU37VwtRL2uerXDocI9LG-a5U0lq7DKlXLK-MB3EobyVk6IcFI3MdfJYhrW/s3476/IMG_5395.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3476" data-original-width="2526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i3L1wrKwl-yymMZTB5bHAwlUoT22zYLNc1yk6zi5aLfFaKXeSYZdT0eOm7VUwG-NODAVmN5suuKijDtUDl8lsgOqFy1zdzUBLO36gz_PM1Zx-IFJ_WA0MlRUJ_E-O_xx8JU37VwtRL2uerXDocI9LG-a5U0lq7DKlXLK-MB3EobyVk6IcFI3MdfJYhrW/w466-h640/IMG_5395.jpeg" width="466" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WYmg7JzJQ8dkWTUpx_UQGW8A0GHFz2vKgbeUDCyeFkGPm2ypQfZ-hmQY6R0KxSQ-TA0b--h0ObJ3tw0nK67NByRsaQ9cMxPGx9m7bpGr1Lnmebyre7ZmC550aU1y57RgMh-ZMrxbp5WnXqzF6ECPpaxoW_wVF3Twy99N1VUFNA7dK1rdStCb4Mah4VHB/s4032/IMG_5397.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WYmg7JzJQ8dkWTUpx_UQGW8A0GHFz2vKgbeUDCyeFkGPm2ypQfZ-hmQY6R0KxSQ-TA0b--h0ObJ3tw0nK67NByRsaQ9cMxPGx9m7bpGr1Lnmebyre7ZmC550aU1y57RgMh-ZMrxbp5WnXqzF6ECPpaxoW_wVF3Twy99N1VUFNA7dK1rdStCb4Mah4VHB/w480-h640/IMG_5397.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lastly, and of utmost importance to this nerd, Split is Meereen!! As in the third slave city freed by <span style="text-align: center;">Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons. That Meereen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">It is where she was forced to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owFJVk6sGEE">chain up two of her dragons</a> after Drogon allegedly killed a goat herder's kid. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kYUYpDr0-KJ1iuzwYhFE-XRCNNxqc_rSG9AJkJgzLocLeQyT8zpvO0z16Y3RDIDNwq92cVjQmfjBmqBjiYzUCQXuLJSxoJVj3j68-qPZo2LKG2ULBqXbTBHq2AYZ2N7-wobYj-4ou_3ItFHmBuuDhOXqRlP40DMT0tTFCdVO3JmrNsmt31aAXDqC1XNA/s4032/IMG_5570.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kYUYpDr0-KJ1iuzwYhFE-XRCNNxqc_rSG9AJkJgzLocLeQyT8zpvO0z16Y3RDIDNwq92cVjQmfjBmqBjiYzUCQXuLJSxoJVj3j68-qPZo2LKG2ULBqXbTBHq2AYZ2N7-wobYj-4ou_3ItFHmBuuDhOXqRlP40DMT0tTFCdVO3JmrNsmt31aAXDqC1XNA/w480-h640/IMG_5570.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatBn7fOiSk_vr7YF6oASPJI43zHDZxtiyNYksO_uvhk3_7nWi-I3lyQin_N5e6t774Md_fnihnKD1F_NRWQBX_xNCMxwqqulOU8D0zUt9SkxkVle0Ig6XjoHi8hggDGP3F9gwCMhKFK4qk4MaDety1cLN8iaPGbheDEdjpc4nRbcntrhRq-rv0TZsJLH3/s4032/IMG_5573.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatBn7fOiSk_vr7YF6oASPJI43zHDZxtiyNYksO_uvhk3_7nWi-I3lyQin_N5e6t774Md_fnihnKD1F_NRWQBX_xNCMxwqqulOU8D0zUt9SkxkVle0Ig6XjoHi8hggDGP3F9gwCMhKFK4qk4MaDety1cLN8iaPGbheDEdjpc4nRbcntrhRq-rv0TZsJLH3/w480-h640/IMG_5573.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYp2WvncMdXfH4Zq_TGp_9VYUUFwQ4uLAyzKH40FJsRmLE5k3Nqju0qHRRBC66WHKT7qze9ob6kCagMhOGDJ7dA-f3VMA4Wq8XqI7JLqcvoRl9KCTcplO7RmcKRvI6Z7kSta2YP9LRubq25lj4EsfDeDH4wk3qlqVNc0XVA89aHlPPlb0wXX_15qfu-H7/s4032/IMG_5578.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYp2WvncMdXfH4Zq_TGp_9VYUUFwQ4uLAyzKH40FJsRmLE5k3Nqju0qHRRBC66WHKT7qze9ob6kCagMhOGDJ7dA-f3VMA4Wq8XqI7JLqcvoRl9KCTcplO7RmcKRvI6Z7kSta2YP9LRubq25lj4EsfDeDH4wk3qlqVNc0XVA89aHlPPlb0wXX_15qfu-H7/w480-h640/IMG_5578.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some people, and by some people I mean historians, might say that this is actually the substructure of Diocletian's palace, considered to be the best preserved part of the complex. The cellars were originally used to store food and wine, as evidenced by a large wine press that is still visible. But who cares about food and wine when you have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOWhJsHXpWo">dragons</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Jg3B_kUFX-WdMRD-Rr_De1fkuEsIJQ8xkUADvE5pdGYrvivvKWpIgRLg1x40dkOlmi025gEvcTla5bniSFBoz-mP6DkR9g2yLc8VDeNT2kkvnHUT47_hoP3tttF5GedMyC1UcRjwRxpPW_OWBegw0rif-QiDjct52BaurFGEWmNBPXuFsM3qlto3flNI/s4032/IMG_5583.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Jg3B_kUFX-WdMRD-Rr_De1fkuEsIJQ8xkUADvE5pdGYrvivvKWpIgRLg1x40dkOlmi025gEvcTla5bniSFBoz-mP6DkR9g2yLc8VDeNT2kkvnHUT47_hoP3tttF5GedMyC1UcRjwRxpPW_OWBegw0rif-QiDjct52BaurFGEWmNBPXuFsM3qlto3flNI/w480-h640/IMG_5583.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little further afield, you have the actual city of Mereen. This would be where our girl <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76aJQ8q-sK0">Dany decided to crucify 163 slave masters</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBA1xDFNnLk2EIWx7zEgUBfPwLutTdLSGHBU970WKbyDCG6veCHWMZrRASMjGKxng6hnyhIw-kwiC8quIMyFZy4n3BLebce7KA4S-dkdSCSOpq9lsARTnB0K1Dc_s_DJP5NTS-02aI_DBITWEsR7Q95RmmLBlCrqip844IHNSoF6TXj11Zq4RumGLYvB2/s4032/IMG_5589.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBA1xDFNnLk2EIWx7zEgUBfPwLutTdLSGHBU970WKbyDCG6veCHWMZrRASMjGKxng6hnyhIw-kwiC8quIMyFZy4n3BLebce7KA4S-dkdSCSOpq9lsARTnB0K1Dc_s_DJP5NTS-02aI_DBITWEsR7Q95RmmLBlCrqip844IHNSoF6TXj11Zq4RumGLYvB2/w640-h480/IMG_5589.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you want to nitpick, you could say that this is actually <a href="https://www.tvrdavaklis.com/?lang=en">Klis Fortress</a>, a medieval fortification that was the furthest reach of the Ottoman Empire. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaKb_f-oEMbzTTA_H15qUXV8y9XJBO9u80NccWqrx7J4APnrBRbO7-KIUM0yHi_Da9QJZ2EkXKhBei2CaE_W9cDDIyQ2z8jFvQ1nvN2G1t3g3N0zrKJollAfaNpuNIxwfR8tEn4e3XrdnSYrwhmu0u4EaHQcAPepwHqNiQ88D_cpLO3MFnNpSan6kbT4n/s4032/IMG_5592.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaKb_f-oEMbzTTA_H15qUXV8y9XJBO9u80NccWqrx7J4APnrBRbO7-KIUM0yHi_Da9QJZ2EkXKhBei2CaE_W9cDDIyQ2z8jFvQ1nvN2G1t3g3N0zrKJollAfaNpuNIxwfR8tEn4e3XrdnSYrwhmu0u4EaHQcAPepwHqNiQ88D_cpLO3MFnNpSan6kbT4n/w480-h640/IMG_5592.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You could also say that it offers one of most spectacular views of Split and the surrounding valley imaginable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8J2rdL8jin0" width="320" youtube-src-id="8J2rdL8jin0"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXodT-8k1YT8ZguybkKGokKbLXqfzsvuPYacK28-q3fg4zt_rzG99Y-66e0ZFXXDW4AbnQDowCZcI8LzhkxuNOK8FlU11_W4M0gAuJHPVfe_JkRhrUS0GY15W6z8vL8nbUBLaDk3MhTFGRdyS_RqpXcZmEYcSDqQj2-JlNHSmniKqXkyMqaiQLjR0m48P/s4032/IMG_5599.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXodT-8k1YT8ZguybkKGokKbLXqfzsvuPYacK28-q3fg4zt_rzG99Y-66e0ZFXXDW4AbnQDowCZcI8LzhkxuNOK8FlU11_W4M0gAuJHPVfe_JkRhrUS0GY15W6z8vL8nbUBLaDk3MhTFGRdyS_RqpXcZmEYcSDqQj2-JlNHSmniKqXkyMqaiQLjR0m48P/w480-h640/IMG_5599.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is well-maintained, can be easily reached from Split via public transportation and offers endless photo ops. This place should swarming with tourists. There should be a "no pooping" sign at every guard tower. Yet, on this day, David and I had the place pretty much to ourselves.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi35T9nxOVIqA2MgBa6ApoxfkUWzn1dyIX-f01r3PAMsI3UuDnFJPMj00GA-diSvIh1z5que3eOWgoIH-bpLwghuT0HRNQBMh0WpdvastuPewiVzV6Bx4lK7CNZoT-bV9B5-zlmupCaELV3M1-BJX8QKqvouJYxq0KxECoB8dATmn9rljmglLpZr7X1YE/s4032/IMG_5601.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi35T9nxOVIqA2MgBa6ApoxfkUWzn1dyIX-f01r3PAMsI3UuDnFJPMj00GA-diSvIh1z5que3eOWgoIH-bpLwghuT0HRNQBMh0WpdvastuPewiVzV6Bx4lK7CNZoT-bV9B5-zlmupCaELV3M1-BJX8QKqvouJYxq0KxECoB8dATmn9rljmglLpZr7X1YE/w640-h480/IMG_5601.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not complaining. It was wonderful to be able to freely explore the grounds and discover all the hidden rooms without feeling crowded. I just don't understand why this place isn't getting more love. It's Meereen ffs!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3u8ROaZufedGisgdRisScgadhEjmSpXzGfYB2mY2hrJ4op89A2pfOCcJB0VoNVIP_czgFTtS97xzePoY1qgvfDeg-mn9A3neRkZKEhkG2rw_zD1o5MCMtHY3Dw_bFasi3szJAJ1jaiX9HpxY4jPzhoX-rTD5iShXQL1cGc8bnGPSH6O7BZzkGaB_L2QE/s4032/IMG_5602.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3u8ROaZufedGisgdRisScgadhEjmSpXzGfYB2mY2hrJ4op89A2pfOCcJB0VoNVIP_czgFTtS97xzePoY1qgvfDeg-mn9A3neRkZKEhkG2rw_zD1o5MCMtHY3Dw_bFasi3szJAJ1jaiX9HpxY4jPzhoX-rTD5iShXQL1cGc8bnGPSH6O7BZzkGaB_L2QE/w480-h640/IMG_5602.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj21RKcDX6Xgr2edyKTy5M1swYrI8PA3654KrrPx4CdCkkgEX54kMna4ehZVLDa5p_INzFZCIaP412PXDcZSt_T-SRs4iDQ6VgXJE7wg_hRO_LGG8t9zesqQQdjYJstJsiLjNV1JLmZGqdjOFYzUYyyCoCA2tGauT7keqAKvQ-4TjDgqCKgZyQfsAIwv1ki" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1240" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj21RKcDX6Xgr2edyKTy5M1swYrI8PA3654KrrPx4CdCkkgEX54kMna4ehZVLDa5p_INzFZCIaP412PXDcZSt_T-SRs4iDQ6VgXJE7wg_hRO_LGG8t9zesqQQdjYJstJsiLjNV1JLmZGqdjOFYzUYyyCoCA2tGauT7keqAKvQ-4TjDgqCKgZyQfsAIwv1ki=w640-h334" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it's not like they aren't leaning into their GoT bonafides. They even have a QR code you can scan to introduce dragons into your pics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGSDdzJjHQehUK_JctUmB8Biaw5wSgghqmc1Ye9mfqKUOhSWmtafl2T3z2G8rmuuKGFqLvcaKgK30dEg6ZrKK4eXySyh2hTI46BkxP50gOk4NGJ-Ba6yNHKkaQOLUV-U_BXo2F2ZkqBHg62JzdklG5rlAFa-h1F2JQ1Y14Rm1XxGNH_5XKtaHcPRdXSNG/s3984/postcard.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="3984" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGSDdzJjHQehUK_JctUmB8Biaw5wSgghqmc1Ye9mfqKUOhSWmtafl2T3z2G8rmuuKGFqLvcaKgK30dEg6ZrKK4eXySyh2hTI46BkxP50gOk4NGJ-Ba6yNHKkaQOLUV-U_BXo2F2ZkqBHg62JzdklG5rlAFa-h1F2JQ1Y14Rm1XxGNH_5XKtaHcPRdXSNG/w640-h426/postcard.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3OYkdpQ1p89XWsNeIaPQxRVDBbqtayNxCWKiE4RMrB59zQNK5G7Ev2go9QWMI6AKg7fBXruFns1NBNZqEbIZITitzkuPWM6kP5Zak7RpXC4n3EWP-LvNd3YkskzL40nn4FRl6H7atlJjW6nxs2z5OWoGIc_qEqOOan3NjZJ7oRTLCrX2owz-RQqW6K1N/s4032/IMG_5603.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3OYkdpQ1p89XWsNeIaPQxRVDBbqtayNxCWKiE4RMrB59zQNK5G7Ev2go9QWMI6AKg7fBXruFns1NBNZqEbIZITitzkuPWM6kP5Zak7RpXC4n3EWP-LvNd3YkskzL40nn4FRl6H7atlJjW6nxs2z5OWoGIc_qEqOOan3NjZJ7oRTLCrX2owz-RQqW6K1N/w480-h640/IMG_5603.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsJ4IvKGdgTvour-esSPdMI3H1v9QAhZtJfyvmmqa_xcEU3GCWJ0fsbDUCqlJ-OeDSGrdWcAj6FNauORBUHxjPokK5ACulQXn21VfL9vk0rsI7mG9bZW3FF8_VOvICWRx_O6M3kt61pR0iDgIzWIQYLlKZeYRiITucnQmLphvLbUMH2ItXMjojj9qZX5P/s4032/IMG_5606.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsJ4IvKGdgTvour-esSPdMI3H1v9QAhZtJfyvmmqa_xcEU3GCWJ0fsbDUCqlJ-OeDSGrdWcAj6FNauORBUHxjPokK5ACulQXn21VfL9vk0rsI7mG9bZW3FF8_VOvICWRx_O6M3kt61pR0iDgIzWIQYLlKZeYRiITucnQmLphvLbUMH2ItXMjojj9qZX5P/w480-h640/IMG_5606.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whatever the reason, I'm just glad that our walking tour guide recommended we visit. It was one of my favorite parts of our brief trip to Split.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3N24TWYkl3x_XDPKacVz1zzy4w6Yvnp0tjhXf4Gtw2vAbV8x6rzl3jHYy_p2NWD9jwqvd0PqwWH-UHvE8dS0WINuLJ4lCSJtQQfIUb5PZK5QY2Mylo4kJh1Pbcya5CvNkogzTnsMphl8ef0Dw5rTfxnrd2UHNLXhCPS2uGtuBGwqQPmC3GjFRomOsPyC/s4032/IMG_5613.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3N24TWYkl3x_XDPKacVz1zzy4w6Yvnp0tjhXf4Gtw2vAbV8x6rzl3jHYy_p2NWD9jwqvd0PqwWH-UHvE8dS0WINuLJ4lCSJtQQfIUb5PZK5QY2Mylo4kJh1Pbcya5CvNkogzTnsMphl8ef0Dw5rTfxnrd2UHNLXhCPS2uGtuBGwqQPmC3GjFRomOsPyC/w640-h480/IMG_5613.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eEGViVRkFErGg8w3FII8yJXIQb2aySvvG9McVqq8rtrc6GqoIi2UUiLUqgQY67rT605tOsh8aLfE6BBr8xSVh4i4qrxfdG6F1sSWOqaVRiSpKRFEb-8PZoGivh3S5olqgZsCuYSXFnkXyT2popM1YNArH75kGeQ9rTTtKMpkG0KCNblNfCQwt9haDb9g/s4032/IMG_5617.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eEGViVRkFErGg8w3FII8yJXIQb2aySvvG9McVqq8rtrc6GqoIi2UUiLUqgQY67rT605tOsh8aLfE6BBr8xSVh4i4qrxfdG6F1sSWOqaVRiSpKRFEb-8PZoGivh3S5olqgZsCuYSXFnkXyT2popM1YNArH75kGeQ9rTTtKMpkG0KCNblNfCQwt9haDb9g/w480-h640/IMG_5617.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulRN2aDEDyknc0AQg-U99b2aPwjB9wsUlr8TDVuQlFho8W9q5ckhiD7nh5rVzrLSfIi9mZlT510B_B7iiBLEoEuNsSOIZafg4V_Gj-n33Ex-H9n1yHzybJQd34n_TkqMlUozsmWUtX1eT-Slwzub0HgD6YzxEtquwsLbrckXlJ0a83cnpPkgW-e8HJjva/s4032/IMG_5620.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulRN2aDEDyknc0AQg-U99b2aPwjB9wsUlr8TDVuQlFho8W9q5ckhiD7nh5rVzrLSfIi9mZlT510B_B7iiBLEoEuNsSOIZafg4V_Gj-n33Ex-H9n1yHzybJQd34n_TkqMlUozsmWUtX1eT-Slwzub0HgD6YzxEtquwsLbrckXlJ0a83cnpPkgW-e8HJjva/w480-h640/IMG_5620.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I suspect if we had more time, there would have been many more favorites and discoveries of all the things Split has to offer. But suffice it to say that even if it's just a historic party cities with dragons, it's a damn impressive one. </div></div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-30045114632712026692023-08-10T15:36:00.500-05:002023-09-16T12:48:52.112-05:00Country #125: A day in Bosnia & Herzegovina<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIpSAioeiIKv-6dFY0KI3RvgTBu1mPRQgv7_u-7oeCIADrBkdAYNtSsu0mNGTBCyqUeWhL4QjyW2Gi5n_0lqAvpoziBeX8_zmc8JhibfnnEqA-JAfbU_HB8Of0vRmS5v5qKEkrHS_5n6-qlw5Z_920R_yr3rT4GWH_LYvVssgCNK_FgOANGZVmAZ9LRBo/s4032/IMG_5474.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIpSAioeiIKv-6dFY0KI3RvgTBu1mPRQgv7_u-7oeCIADrBkdAYNtSsu0mNGTBCyqUeWhL4QjyW2Gi5n_0lqAvpoziBeX8_zmc8JhibfnnEqA-JAfbU_HB8Of0vRmS5v5qKEkrHS_5n6-qlw5Z_920R_yr3rT4GWH_LYvVssgCNK_FgOANGZVmAZ9LRBo/w640-h480/IMG_5474.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in 1988, I did a summer abroad program in Yugoslavia. The curriculum included two weeks in Dubrovnik, one in Belgrade and one in Zagreb. In the years that followed, for reasons too lengthy and complex to get into, Yugoslavia was dissolved and subsequently spawned seven distinct countries: Slovenia, Serbia, N. Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. As a country counter, this puts me in a bit of a conundrum. Do I still count Yugoslavia? Do I automatically get credit for Croatia (via Dubrovnik and Zagreb) and Serbia (Belgrade)? Since there are no real rules and I'm making it up as I go along, I opted to count Yugoslavia* while adding all the new incarnations whenever possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was very much on my mind when I agreed to visit Split, Croatia with one of my favorite travel buddies, David. He wanted a beach, I wanted a new country. By choosing this destination, we could actually Split the difference (note: Yes, that was bad but I apologize for nothing!!). He could soak in the sun, I could do a <a href="https://www.grayline.com/tours/mostar-guided-tour-to-kravica-waterfall-from-split-to-trogir/">day trip to Bosnia</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was not sure what to expect on this tour. The unfortunate fact is that when most people hear of Bosnia, their mind immediately turns to the war/ genocide of the 90's. This was the challenge facing Ivanka, our cheery attentive guide for the day. How do you speak honestly about the horrors of war without bumming everyone out? She walked this tightrope beautifully by focusing not so much on the details but on the emotional impact on Yugoslavian people. She herself was a college student in Dubrovnik at the time, living her life and not really aware of the gravity of what was happening. She could not understand why her parents were so fearful on their phone calls. This changed one day when she saw a man reading a newspaper on the bus. The front page featured a picture of the Mostar bridge in total ruins after a relentless bombing campaign. She wept knowing things had forever changed. Deep divisions were formed amongst people who had been once united as Yugoslavians. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Had she stopped there, it would have been a pretty somber day, but she turned her attention to the present day and a country that is being rebuilt and reborn. If a country is to succeed, they need young people to remain and put in the work. With this is mind, Bosnia is offering free college tuition thus luring students with the hopes that they fall in love with this country and choose to stay. The good news is that it's beginning to work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The importance of this plan was evident during our first stop in the lovely medieval city of Pocitelj. This hilltop town, built in the 14th century has been placed on the UNESCO watchlist as one of the 100 most endangered sites of cultural heritage. They went from a pre-war population of 600 to just 13 residents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uou9Eno3et9c1DiRJ9I4v4fmQGZ6w_FwmICzIqrVTqObie_c5ctOUNuEJH2yodl5csTpmcxMLhg1EtFgCoRzU-eSUpoYEFUiODrDI62In69sRi5Xp_zMHpkdu1xH4DPdnW4Dsk3bU7596hqsp1wsps4hurvuMO9-wIh1K_D41rwDtxU6iwx7sivQNFWf/s4032/IMG_5414.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uou9Eno3et9c1DiRJ9I4v4fmQGZ6w_FwmICzIqrVTqObie_c5ctOUNuEJH2yodl5csTpmcxMLhg1EtFgCoRzU-eSUpoYEFUiODrDI62In69sRi5Xp_zMHpkdu1xH4DPdnW4Dsk3bU7596hqsp1wsps4hurvuMO9-wIh1K_D41rwDtxU6iwx7sivQNFWf/w480-h640/IMG_5414.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The town itself boasts such a unique blend of nature and architecture that it would take hours to properly explore. We were given thirty minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt_0IV6U9IOI-yH-WDSm2cLIwEIys1XwAdvx9_Q9f_SIIAETY9RrrKY85qzxQvaGRTy2SCksduOzxFvFbjAFpeVJyrjZT49qECZU-GaIgXbqjTapd_KLQoXt8apnMBy0T9AZsa5fEtx52R_nk42bn1kcLyskpwgX4RL5QuQ6bXSI4wS-uoK4uQ-Zc0O_7/s4032/IMG_5415.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt_0IV6U9IOI-yH-WDSm2cLIwEIys1XwAdvx9_Q9f_SIIAETY9RrrKY85qzxQvaGRTy2SCksduOzxFvFbjAFpeVJyrjZT49qECZU-GaIgXbqjTapd_KLQoXt8apnMBy0T9AZsa5fEtx52R_nk42bn1kcLyskpwgX4RL5QuQ6bXSI4wS-uoK4uQ-Zc0O_7/w640-h480/IMG_5415.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was barely enough to run into the Sisman Ibrahim Pasha mosque and make it to the fortress on top for the views of the Nevatna River.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a3txZyMoKH3iMGBcpBZfQ-T3eZSDQYRlSI-hgj0KikiWQrRusSvs4-OIgTm2I1q86EqcRg7R5F9WAEKjO-ap5_8SuWDjFXu4OXDcCvv6rbxtTUysI5bw0qAbkicqViQhkVk3yk9MDNnOaruvdmCardpBcpGciUrwN50Lmxm_r0A3HOSGxZWB6kV1DDMd/s4032/IMG_5420.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a3txZyMoKH3iMGBcpBZfQ-T3eZSDQYRlSI-hgj0KikiWQrRusSvs4-OIgTm2I1q86EqcRg7R5F9WAEKjO-ap5_8SuWDjFXu4OXDcCvv6rbxtTUysI5bw0qAbkicqViQhkVk3yk9MDNnOaruvdmCardpBcpGciUrwN50Lmxm_r0A3HOSGxZWB6kV1DDMd/w480-h640/IMG_5420.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PZv0Cuj1jNPpJ731xbx4vJEYI-iFpiNIJlkAvJGllY-K1SkuyeCM_W5jc0h51qb-Bars0ZFDpXLssmzva9lJVKXjiNcaBF_EShD-MDlVQFd7RBi0mViImlxQJcaXEhRLBiPIufDmGBzMDj9KEw19F41-ycKEajQKOuhzWHWCYUx0lomVdjV1k8m2zC2m/s4032/IMG_5423.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PZv0Cuj1jNPpJ731xbx4vJEYI-iFpiNIJlkAvJGllY-K1SkuyeCM_W5jc0h51qb-Bars0ZFDpXLssmzva9lJVKXjiNcaBF_EShD-MDlVQFd7RBi0mViImlxQJcaXEhRLBiPIufDmGBzMDj9KEw19F41-ycKEajQKOuhzWHWCYUx0lomVdjV1k8m2zC2m/w480-h640/IMG_5423.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqvkAyDAGg6qa-YMZuop_8lZfLG88SBNbn1o2sWht_Dw86flJF8yq1zRErKGYdpCzWHkqKrDxjhcfET9e9IiCm2lyG2YBNiC-YqFIAkyYb-uHIMyMbzoIPziVUMV_Qr2V4ma3xfWn4RiE9rgNedXcijGEqNWhpkp1sa6CAo1Cnn_-Bs7LSV4od6rBYRwB/s4032/IMG_5424.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqvkAyDAGg6qa-YMZuop_8lZfLG88SBNbn1o2sWht_Dw86flJF8yq1zRErKGYdpCzWHkqKrDxjhcfET9e9IiCm2lyG2YBNiC-YqFIAkyYb-uHIMyMbzoIPziVUMV_Qr2V4ma3xfWn4RiE9rgNedXcijGEqNWhpkp1sa6CAo1Cnn_-Bs7LSV4od6rBYRwB/w640-h480/IMG_5424.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5ddcHXEhsXAGtwBG5kEl5g8nB2UPrtKkOCcurHx2NgqTYedYImpxXqzrJBVsfvuI0-PUFFy_XUoOzVMxGxlkdAtWb7gzULWHclpYosBsYuUnMnwlKTvvq0aBXPZHVNe9K6PqkKxWW2YwnO-uiemKjSGoPcrrrmHQVFAvO0gshR4XBv0NMyhxXEaZ_gCG/w640-h480/IMG_5429.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg5dDrV6msBP_ubYZFgbG0Ku3TREsHpG6_bc1VZyuiUTNfs8RgDOffilolmqaOSYwc0HzrShhoXunVaeirhhqnO85eiLlhklNdg9xalhdIj7zaH00YTcEP2hLmaThl26qRPgS2foqpxFmTxdKp64c5A9w_iQCkdkVEAHXzvL3cQ8COpe7vfLQ2XNZcXKj/s4032/IMG_5430.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg5dDrV6msBP_ubYZFgbG0Ku3TREsHpG6_bc1VZyuiUTNfs8RgDOffilolmqaOSYwc0HzrShhoXunVaeirhhqnO85eiLlhklNdg9xalhdIj7zaH00YTcEP2hLmaThl26qRPgS2foqpxFmTxdKp64c5A9w_iQCkdkVEAHXzvL3cQ8COpe7vfLQ2XNZcXKj/w480-h640/IMG_5430.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSExLmn0SX9feRBn3J5HdYlc9TuavHChC11yygRVwKx6bGBEtLeHQG0ZTwPAQRk7otk0EkFR_UZfl4tq8fiazYvVWfYZ4DsEht8oTARWW8RwA1gzx7bQmgsCM1_nD9DyeC9Ep7NQQcUmjV2XFbW5AlfNjgfgsq0YtVX8UVDlw4kQxlOymODo0PtPTLsT7/s4032/IMG_5432.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSExLmn0SX9feRBn3J5HdYlc9TuavHChC11yygRVwKx6bGBEtLeHQG0ZTwPAQRk7otk0EkFR_UZfl4tq8fiazYvVWfYZ4DsEht8oTARWW8RwA1gzx7bQmgsCM1_nD9DyeC9Ep7NQQcUmjV2XFbW5AlfNjgfgsq0YtVX8UVDlw4kQxlOymODo0PtPTLsT7/w480-h640/IMG_5432.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I sprinted back to the meeting point, sliding all the way on the slippery stone steps, it occured to me that perhaps the 587 people had not so much left but instead tumbled to their death ala an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rhD5AxjTn4">oafish Boston cop going down a slide</a>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeDf5Bk_sTiF53HJgIUCq97Erbap0fRJDBCUkfxj3RwzzRQ8ggNR2HUeBCriQNZbVgLJ2U6TmLGFgyhnPJB3s_AAewE2UIQu1p8CKLRn2eCyD8jRM2JFIw95Kq_Jj4ChhxpfOVsJjLcnMaZZ82dzSUulP0rdqj2js68L7Ho4ZgZDfLtyW3ZRL74c2uF1B/s4032/IMG_5435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeDf5Bk_sTiF53HJgIUCq97Erbap0fRJDBCUkfxj3RwzzRQ8ggNR2HUeBCriQNZbVgLJ2U6TmLGFgyhnPJB3s_AAewE2UIQu1p8CKLRn2eCyD8jRM2JFIw95Kq_Jj4ChhxpfOVsJjLcnMaZZ82dzSUulP0rdqj2js68L7Ho4ZgZDfLtyW3ZRL74c2uF1B/w640-h480/IMG_5435.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From there it was a short scenic drive with views of a vineyard-filled valley to Mostar and its famous bridge. Once we arrived, we were handed off to Ana Maria, a local guide. She too acknowledged the war but made it clear that this would not be the focus of her tour. She wanted to discuss the city's rich history from its 400 years Ottoman rule to its succeeding 40 years under the Hapsburg Dynasty. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI47Hm82JxheioiV2a7qrTbepop_P6dlIjjOXLvYoyWp4V_gaZv7wBlNSlD9HV9GpY6CbWkj22r346fCo10HL7EY0Erivn1RbfTeYbDxHwPGdSCno9_0e3jvCRK-jd_kBog_mSyV_9DT6AToICZ_m4twTc9SOzdNQFp6Pknfr029ud1fYGAl64zjmmp-3K/s4032/IMG_5440.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI47Hm82JxheioiV2a7qrTbepop_P6dlIjjOXLvYoyWp4V_gaZv7wBlNSlD9HV9GpY6CbWkj22r346fCo10HL7EY0Erivn1RbfTeYbDxHwPGdSCno9_0e3jvCRK-jd_kBog_mSyV_9DT6AToICZ_m4twTc9SOzdNQFp6Pknfr029ud1fYGAl64zjmmp-3K/w640-h480/IMG_5440.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was under Ottoman rule, particularly under Suleiman the Magnificent, that the Stari Most (old bridge) was built. How important was it to the city's identity? The very name, Mostar, comes from the word <i>mostari</i> or "keepers of the bridge".</div><div><br /></div><div>This was the same bridge that Ivanka saw in that 1993 newspaper photo. The needless destruction of such a beloved 16th century piece of cultural heritage shocked the international community. UNESCO immediately recognized the importance of <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/story-mostar-bridge/">rebuilding the bridge</a> and led the efforts to create an exact replica, completing the project in 2004.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaXeNql72wQmuX3vWVeC4YHi8YASplcCysC42QbmkBQ-Nfv0rME513jnMPckuDhBFq00-qpgeQTvQ-uZAgkSYU6WLsl-xysaK46YD8Sw0k8CapDQQaYXIHe0eqJJQKv_3sXRamO-oIoSTDLZOZAjKSXaBoImAdxDfePy8HDbILKqzHBYhYMP9qiJUUDik/s4032/IMG_5445.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaXeNql72wQmuX3vWVeC4YHi8YASplcCysC42QbmkBQ-Nfv0rME513jnMPckuDhBFq00-qpgeQTvQ-uZAgkSYU6WLsl-xysaK46YD8Sw0k8CapDQQaYXIHe0eqJJQKv_3sXRamO-oIoSTDLZOZAjKSXaBoImAdxDfePy8HDbILKqzHBYhYMP9qiJUUDik/w480-h640/IMG_5445.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fulfilling her aim to highlight history, Ana Maria told us about the bridge's origins. Sultan Suleiman wanted a way to get goods and resources across the Neretva river and back to his home base, Istanbul. His solution was to hire Sinan, a noted architect, to build him a bridge. Simple enough. Problem was that Sinan saw this as his chance to make architectural history by creating the world's first single arch bridge of its size. He experimented with glueing and stapling the stone blocks together only to see them tumble into river, over and over again. As the deadline approached, the Sultan asked what was up with his bridge. Sinan not only broke the news that there was no bridge but was also forced to mention that he had already blown through the entire budget (see: floating chunks of bridge in the river). An understandably cranky Sultan relented and gave him more money but not before placing one of his men to keep a close eye on the project. The henchman made it clear that if this project was not completed promptly, the next thing floating in the Neretva was going to be Sulan's head. Sulan took a new approach and created scaffolding to hold everything in place during the bridge's construction. He was so confident in this technique that on the eve of the scaffolding's removal, he packed up and got the fuck out of town, never to be seen or heard from again. You know, just in case. Turns out his concern was unfounded as the bridge remained standing for 400 years (and would have stayed longer but for the bombing). It should also be noted that even with all his mishaps, Sulan built the bridge in 6 years from 1560-1566. The rebuilding process, with all the benefits of modern technology, took 4 years. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jNS2gj3bHoQGpPsfZB_B5TjAQpQvqLO9paUTNvm7_QTFeYO0_IxG6KItckfpxUozmn1cudxnOFSp0nXdIh10W04RONJZ96eV43qT_Z4cFlUI9EHOdtW03GSIAMzqPRiviXya0gYd7ITDHL5QngslEX1avjkvNSip60OraW3qMSTKufJmBMen7H4_eCk-/s4032/IMG_5450.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jNS2gj3bHoQGpPsfZB_B5TjAQpQvqLO9paUTNvm7_QTFeYO0_IxG6KItckfpxUozmn1cudxnOFSp0nXdIh10W04RONJZ96eV43qT_Z4cFlUI9EHOdtW03GSIAMzqPRiviXya0gYd7ITDHL5QngslEX1avjkvNSip60OraW3qMSTKufJmBMen7H4_eCk-/w480-h640/IMG_5450.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today, it is once again the beloved centerpiece of this charming town. Tourists flock to it, cafes benefit from its views and young men make a living jumping from it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC8_HgebN6aMnbsI1aFVtiqefTkzbVseZi0cESJgay0JZrr6X25Kd_zqueJ2I2NCeupQnn_ZRE7rfFzYH6jXa7XgNOr1M_bj6-JBvZkhwx1V96UDIrHg56FracrrG1SQHBh4iIGKnlMNugj_vcZLvQItdn5LiyoMivcf14Qn3DZF7JyzMocFdJg1XLEj2/s4032/IMG_5456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC8_HgebN6aMnbsI1aFVtiqefTkzbVseZi0cESJgay0JZrr6X25Kd_zqueJ2I2NCeupQnn_ZRE7rfFzYH6jXa7XgNOr1M_bj6-JBvZkhwx1V96UDIrHg56FracrrG1SQHBh4iIGKnlMNugj_vcZLvQItdn5LiyoMivcf14Qn3DZF7JyzMocFdJg1XLEj2/w640-h480/IMG_5456.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The height of the jump is not the most dangerous part. The biggest risk and the reason the jumpers have to undergo regular physicals is the temperature disparity between the surface and the water. On this day, the temperature was in the high 90's while the water was in the 40's. This is enough to shock someone into a heart attack. To acclimate themselves, the divers dump a bucket of cold water over their heads immediately before jumping. If you see them posturing, while collecting tips and they are bone dry, that means no jump is actually imminent. Wait for the bucket before you bring out your camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2sJJaviRUzw" width="320" youtube-src-id="2sJJaviRUzw"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Once the tour was over, we were given two hours to explore. This was more than in Pocitelj but still not nearly enough, particularly with the number of tourists clogging the tiny streets. I elbowed my way through the throng to get to the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. While it is an Ottoman gem in its own right, I was there to climb the minirat for a view of, what else, the bridge.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWO3WDhZiOFs6MaxdzulOhIVl3nFNVDBhGgNNpa7QScjcHjW5ZD-YfMsMLWQYyKGKimYRKYzAByAWIXx2-Dijj8_yvWlKvETE1UHFWeYsggmrzYdXzeP4wwtCVMuXRQvJhV6YMNFBBl5yxRljCWU_r3dx-cKApAVzH-eDuxzM4w2eK2_pZFjsu7Eux8G2/s4032/IMG_5453.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWO3WDhZiOFs6MaxdzulOhIVl3nFNVDBhGgNNpa7QScjcHjW5ZD-YfMsMLWQYyKGKimYRKYzAByAWIXx2-Dijj8_yvWlKvETE1UHFWeYsggmrzYdXzeP4wwtCVMuXRQvJhV6YMNFBBl5yxRljCWU_r3dx-cKApAVzH-eDuxzM4w2eK2_pZFjsu7Eux8G2/w640-h480/IMG_5453.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SaYeh8dgrEq6t2FiqXbX4wA3fB49BXNef9ZA_IQZMDzZF6RSVgIMsHUxzLSuATOEJs60Kxf0S4dz9-ihp73-SdZHwHidymOI_Rs1oTI74jLR5OCD4kTSe5NK15zbsqxxSVPOhD-6u5MHHC4NGRjPGz-fKpc1abplaGlroA_XXULC46KdaKyDLtFVoffG/s4032/IMG_5459.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SaYeh8dgrEq6t2FiqXbX4wA3fB49BXNef9ZA_IQZMDzZF6RSVgIMsHUxzLSuATOEJs60Kxf0S4dz9-ihp73-SdZHwHidymOI_Rs1oTI74jLR5OCD4kTSe5NK15zbsqxxSVPOhD-6u5MHHC4NGRjPGz-fKpc1abplaGlroA_XXULC46KdaKyDLtFVoffG/w480-h640/IMG_5459.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt9PbU-n2AaEKe4_p-RMfYgKRMNGFoE9yUbZ2JZscdDQNMu1c9cmei3jvO9uwGfcGSJVzR4ttqjQQmGpA1sxDR12W4zRiNOHGDQTg3YAfl8wrSNEQg1hhZ3JmihwhZMUcOuBUZGVZiyLbHveYC8inAGGUkY5ou78lgAEs4xj5qyOWE3W_J3NqKOWb5N_e/s4032/IMG_5461.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt9PbU-n2AaEKe4_p-RMfYgKRMNGFoE9yUbZ2JZscdDQNMu1c9cmei3jvO9uwGfcGSJVzR4ttqjQQmGpA1sxDR12W4zRiNOHGDQTg3YAfl8wrSNEQg1hhZ3JmihwhZMUcOuBUZGVZiyLbHveYC8inAGGUkY5ou78lgAEs4xj5qyOWE3W_J3NqKOWb5N_e/w640-h480/IMG_5461.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgoMzujUlQJ4rdiyYTaWKKcjW5nYRy_0p3MbHOlt588wnAEKjK8ABRRVdpxvn3r_Sv9qwwiVyx2jNNTB7Vr8VG_5edFZG2nB-I54hyuuitrA7i0UaYPII3c7r1YWdzgd1DEzehkKCCDVbsn1EWjQO41z14UL2QBgT3WNzZobytx8E6tGDF4-22zxIPr9a/s4032/IMG_5464.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgoMzujUlQJ4rdiyYTaWKKcjW5nYRy_0p3MbHOlt588wnAEKjK8ABRRVdpxvn3r_Sv9qwwiVyx2jNNTB7Vr8VG_5edFZG2nB-I54hyuuitrA7i0UaYPII3c7r1YWdzgd1DEzehkKCCDVbsn1EWjQO41z14UL2QBgT3WNzZobytx8E6tGDF4-22zxIPr9a/w640-h480/IMG_5464.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While up there, I met a Spanish woman who was spending a couple of days in Mostar and immediately rued that I was not doing the same. I can only imagine how special this place is when all the day trippers go back home. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5D-ETiDYIbKsupxr2blrh1HB2Mw0dQhjFCxae-kqczgPU6GoI5rpiM92dvA8lnk0MxGggvBCy_Bb9gZXIoN3xbvXi6q3nag-Fwk0ssRRqYTcxuyhEE5_nk-hrKTtFFCGHghqXIYCuM1SPbPd2IfNvAtUOFuctktrauSLXKcnPG17uzjmyu3Dhk-EK49R/s9444/IMG_5466.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3738" data-original-width="9444" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5D-ETiDYIbKsupxr2blrh1HB2Mw0dQhjFCxae-kqczgPU6GoI5rpiM92dvA8lnk0MxGggvBCy_Bb9gZXIoN3xbvXi6q3nag-Fwk0ssRRqYTcxuyhEE5_nk-hrKTtFFCGHghqXIYCuM1SPbPd2IfNvAtUOFuctktrauSLXKcnPG17uzjmyu3Dhk-EK49R/w640-h254/IMG_5466.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D-ak5XxdLdqFtCIXXU4BPdv7eja_c-K8PxQFk7mK-lMnYvR3a3j2hTE1M_QiS3BhEhvT86ImC2QjnKwipF23TClZwla-aspydAMpJ0pU7VuLUq85bYXzv2_s-FGA1hfulaVA934h6psfVa6RvgMS7DtqlDyuZhupILbcYQVggcOFUYuJo6iPBI7kQQMz/s4032/IMG_5467.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D-ak5XxdLdqFtCIXXU4BPdv7eja_c-K8PxQFk7mK-lMnYvR3a3j2hTE1M_QiS3BhEhvT86ImC2QjnKwipF23TClZwla-aspydAMpJ0pU7VuLUq85bYXzv2_s-FGA1hfulaVA934h6psfVa6RvgMS7DtqlDyuZhupILbcYQVggcOFUYuJo6iPBI7kQQMz/w480-h640/IMG_5467.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Obviously, I wasn't able to stay but at least I could view the bridge from a different, less crowded angle. I ran down to the spot where they offer boat trips: 5 minutes for 5 euro. Both companies said the minimum for a boat trip was 2 people and they wouldn't combine groups. I didn't have the time to debate so I threw 10 euro at them and asked them to please put me and my imaginary friend on a boat stat. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjEc5-lQLW7tMJkzt6YD3f1BX2S4KOZrxMTAdLXFRXyBDUi-Q5I3XrmmIVPp9nfiFblb18MueoMxkOC72Trbr6axpnCN0ky-iEbTU2nY5gRQj3XcgAc_S0DAtsfOts7d5mHOoXQ8X2e3M0LMoz1hc_l2OCloYIczCDCOfORAD9e3kS9orGmNMxB-G-j5P/s4032/IMG_5471.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjEc5-lQLW7tMJkzt6YD3f1BX2S4KOZrxMTAdLXFRXyBDUi-Q5I3XrmmIVPp9nfiFblb18MueoMxkOC72Trbr6axpnCN0ky-iEbTU2nY5gRQj3XcgAc_S0DAtsfOts7d5mHOoXQ8X2e3M0LMoz1hc_l2OCloYIczCDCOfORAD9e3kS9orGmNMxB-G-j5P/w640-h480/IMG_5471.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We motored from the bridge to the mosque before turning back. Ok, that's like 2 minutes tops. I thought we were returning to where we started but we went back under the bridge and continued to a smaller replica of the bridge before once again turning back. We then returned to the mosque and then to the smaller bridge. Mosque. Little bridge. Three times, we did this. I don't know if there is any superstition saying it is good luck to cross under the bridge, in which case at 6 crossings I'm pretty well covered, but I certainly hope so because otherwise this may have been the most pointless boat trip I have ever taken. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wlQiBIha4SmUdGEYhZrO3cZa0dTAu6ryDfqdh5rRkB2B1qHNxXl36K1VUkb6qcJzkhiMjEDhDA4baSfZL2Invw-nLFszq6Z140RB3HAYaQPu2uLnaKBi0yL6o2lPLO9aFU4bFLGKxRP18KTjDSg6vRO7rWwEUwkeSy9bZTojM4R1l6dQ93fI_wGjywK4/s4032/IMG_5479.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wlQiBIha4SmUdGEYhZrO3cZa0dTAu6ryDfqdh5rRkB2B1qHNxXl36K1VUkb6qcJzkhiMjEDhDA4baSfZL2Invw-nLFszq6Z140RB3HAYaQPu2uLnaKBi0yL6o2lPLO9aFU4bFLGKxRP18KTjDSg6vRO7rWwEUwkeSy9bZTojM4R1l6dQ93fI_wGjywK4/w640-h480/IMG_5479.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-tDpESr-bizpq4eTjDkABXYMPgoe0mlWb7NhsXwxixDSGdF7vv8LjBLVSouzfr-8QoRoegp2IIRC9kiaRnmIv391th1a_E9o2lsmuXh6p1SwETGo_gdI_i74809YqMMQgL1XkL3QtN6BoC9RUsouJeMTG79H2HXENdgxb81PvsfAjXdqHdpF3I2tSX6x/s4032/IMG_5481.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-tDpESr-bizpq4eTjDkABXYMPgoe0mlWb7NhsXwxixDSGdF7vv8LjBLVSouzfr-8QoRoegp2IIRC9kiaRnmIv391th1a_E9o2lsmuXh6p1SwETGo_gdI_i74809YqMMQgL1XkL3QtN6BoC9RUsouJeMTG79H2HXENdgxb81PvsfAjXdqHdpF3I2tSX6x/w480-h640/IMG_5481.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRL5Dam_SDRxgTTt-YgDxNt6U3gfF0H0w8OkzJ021B1-QPMoJEz4hO6NXi_Rd3Un74IWh_reFJykh25XzAEp20--aAqIvxrdJMhYyLxEu_ru7H-yojCwVR7PLCh-fGyQXXh_eZ1vr7_TCvMA3M58aH94jdZWCy_DsByO0BA7uk7CYLc6WT_fxOCT6G1aA/s4032/IMG_5485.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRL5Dam_SDRxgTTt-YgDxNt6U3gfF0H0w8OkzJ021B1-QPMoJEz4hO6NXi_Rd3Un74IWh_reFJykh25XzAEp20--aAqIvxrdJMhYyLxEu_ru7H-yojCwVR7PLCh-fGyQXXh_eZ1vr7_TCvMA3M58aH94jdZWCy_DsByO0BA7uk7CYLc6WT_fxOCT6G1aA/w640-h480/IMG_5485.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once I got off the boat, I only had enough time to grab a local beer and go looking for the Spanish square, where Ana Maria told me I could find the most street art. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vq9h0LLUsZDIvC9URZVtZqi-fywRLvGG_Y8HZlqxR4ab6SOr_sDlHVTAIMXDSV-38e9PdeLOFw5urcADLJrL0vz0KGU-P_qc8BN9alboQy3ezSbEU1_BCfqWljfABWiqNJFTYtXVO6Vj3KPNlB8fRPPHFypcGov6gktaPnnBSUVE3xJ9P4K_i6GqBLnq/s4032/IMG_5496.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vq9h0LLUsZDIvC9URZVtZqi-fywRLvGG_Y8HZlqxR4ab6SOr_sDlHVTAIMXDSV-38e9PdeLOFw5urcADLJrL0vz0KGU-P_qc8BN9alboQy3ezSbEU1_BCfqWljfABWiqNJFTYtXVO6Vj3KPNlB8fRPPHFypcGov6gktaPnnBSUVE3xJ9P4K_i6GqBLnq/w480-h640/IMG_5496.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I didn't actually find any but it was cool to see the newer (read: less touristy) part of town. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceDYI9bJffHT6g3ZV3oB-Mi-m0nu4SIrgvYQ8iSHbjPoFkzBZ69CqymqLQC1QkBWiUZCqZoEDMqoluULfaObhGmaHe-UyQmCj0NpO38Tjm0Ci-HANahgo53O3bntCl1jv0Tv-XtAqTFzplEcbRpm2xyw-oyK44sL5WbcoqQEZH6HGE0srInulNI7qWyvE/s4032/IMG_5498.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceDYI9bJffHT6g3ZV3oB-Mi-m0nu4SIrgvYQ8iSHbjPoFkzBZ69CqymqLQC1QkBWiUZCqZoEDMqoluULfaObhGmaHe-UyQmCj0NpO38Tjm0Ci-HANahgo53O3bntCl1jv0Tv-XtAqTFzplEcbRpm2xyw-oyK44sL5WbcoqQEZH6HGE0srInulNI7qWyvE/w640-h480/IMG_5498.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtITyUIwvtiH35i0IhAvba6attIHy8eLuGt6L4CrJDEo3_2nJ1kqsy2RQpQi-vAdYsZA6DSeypZIy89C2TZFsvs8q6GOpPu_90YD3Niu9un_e-wjztNUKhXeqvte8Zz9d8_0Y6BrHkp3Qhyc1l_r8N6ptRCBbp7HIGl2uFnktcqjMIYVYa27D7davApgq/s4032/IMG_5499.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtITyUIwvtiH35i0IhAvba6attIHy8eLuGt6L4CrJDEo3_2nJ1kqsy2RQpQi-vAdYsZA6DSeypZIy89C2TZFsvs8q6GOpPu_90YD3Niu9un_e-wjztNUKhXeqvte8Zz9d8_0Y6BrHkp3Qhyc1l_r8N6ptRCBbp7HIGl2uFnktcqjMIYVYa27D7davApgq/w640-h480/IMG_5499.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Soon we were back the bus, on yet another scenic drive to our last stop, the Kravice Waterfalls.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nhN22hKc7RPREvB1WNjC4vfdZVYTfXsYTdTDvCKslsFmZ_CDPFgjneUz_MddE6DAm7neVZWcCuGBisrig78qRZFZ4szHCxVCCveuwSv3YmIeLMG7gsMd_Ns1S762NmBg-U4qhmYSttdzizMTDPp38UBUqTRrt7RC9qOn3nlMclIabF1ziHkCchm1gW1z/s4032/IMG_5508.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nhN22hKc7RPREvB1WNjC4vfdZVYTfXsYTdTDvCKslsFmZ_CDPFgjneUz_MddE6DAm7neVZWcCuGBisrig78qRZFZ4szHCxVCCveuwSv3YmIeLMG7gsMd_Ns1S762NmBg-U4qhmYSttdzizMTDPp38UBUqTRrt7RC9qOn3nlMclIabF1ziHkCchm1gW1z/w640-h480/IMG_5508.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The plan was to swim under the falls but learning that the water was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit changed my mind toot suite. Suddenly, lounging by a water side cafe and taking a couple of photos seemed like a much better plan.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCx4ubxe80Qw4uSs1o6mlsEo7Bz7rynKD2x5UbE_RdoNhoKkGVejTqBZJxyaN2RhjuFUXca5FAnM_kb2WHz3skzBrkWKRU-zx_iIx81zgECqNZamg86OveKifX0ZjcgCH_UnAM4baKIWxIYTujG0wvfGOwe8XDgOCiWzUJ9wA-SlCRMq7yfTuXw5CyaMZ/s4032/IMG_5512.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCx4ubxe80Qw4uSs1o6mlsEo7Bz7rynKD2x5UbE_RdoNhoKkGVejTqBZJxyaN2RhjuFUXca5FAnM_kb2WHz3skzBrkWKRU-zx_iIx81zgECqNZamg86OveKifX0ZjcgCH_UnAM4baKIWxIYTujG0wvfGOwe8XDgOCiWzUJ9wA-SlCRMq7yfTuXw5CyaMZ/w480-h640/IMG_5512.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtQqat9V2w5vsGC0S3kSZ9C-3feRJU7KPwWA3qVBLkQqcQb54JZ3gvdy3PdglJxWKQx75OuUw1w_7yhbfQmwdL2xVk9VOG61E0HGLaCMMjvGls2rxGO-LPFlF-VOOts4aY0WvPse3oMcjGese-WCKGOat9fIdbjsRIr9q7XhpSyL5UCGwHalYw9abm0MH/s4032/IMG_5516.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtQqat9V2w5vsGC0S3kSZ9C-3feRJU7KPwWA3qVBLkQqcQb54JZ3gvdy3PdglJxWKQx75OuUw1w_7yhbfQmwdL2xVk9VOG61E0HGLaCMMjvGls2rxGO-LPFlF-VOOts4aY0WvPse3oMcjGese-WCKGOat9fIdbjsRIr9q7XhpSyL5UCGwHalYw9abm0MH/w480-h640/IMG_5516.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80wXNUy9kfhV-0rBfHWlhz-PvMYYHj5d5AsSgjGhMp7-BFAZ8N_B2EMhuu1gW59Kl92JFR_xwzZ7W-dVNVl5qDAwBogQSIpQXXY5tdx9FErcapOqXBx7G420pjNAD-jTK-Fdu8Kf_MCmcn5EMI9B_k5hJmjfjQXoVL4a_dFdkM4jQbE6A9ZVCimgfo6KS/s4032/IMG_5523.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80wXNUy9kfhV-0rBfHWlhz-PvMYYHj5d5AsSgjGhMp7-BFAZ8N_B2EMhuu1gW59Kl92JFR_xwzZ7W-dVNVl5qDAwBogQSIpQXXY5tdx9FErcapOqXBx7G420pjNAD-jTK-Fdu8Kf_MCmcn5EMI9B_k5hJmjfjQXoVL4a_dFdkM4jQbE6A9ZVCimgfo6KS/w640-h480/IMG_5523.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGcXuSo8GqR5spLlErLkwZsNCKef61aayFk95jUE5SQwtUD_1sE595CGVwN2sQXo0fKygj-DHLn0GvnZdODEIHwMC51FkNOYkASXd2cIkq6lDBvNHSTuQRjKLm35TqShtc0WLuJgaeXbzPY17QMgVDtOFBOGN09VTBkiHzGohxNkT2-lI7epK8aMMrwM2/s4032/IMG_5528.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGcXuSo8GqR5spLlErLkwZsNCKef61aayFk95jUE5SQwtUD_1sE595CGVwN2sQXo0fKygj-DHLn0GvnZdODEIHwMC51FkNOYkASXd2cIkq6lDBvNHSTuQRjKLm35TqShtc0WLuJgaeXbzPY17QMgVDtOFBOGN09VTBkiHzGohxNkT2-lI7epK8aMMrwM2/w480-h640/IMG_5528.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZntWrqk1VOLP9oqcphYY9Qb_7R4byYyVBdCEmaNC6mip773vkYYOupc7DJeldyMGHrdkRWQ98iYsbsS4CXe90wzn8f0CV5JlqMFh7N5aAQmErf64vSB3NEzSfDa5SVOlNsDpGbOabSHGjCKNVEhaz-XCS2yJWj1AOFQ2gmqenCGpnOqCb-cToEhXNBnu/s4032/IMG_5532.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZntWrqk1VOLP9oqcphYY9Qb_7R4byYyVBdCEmaNC6mip773vkYYOupc7DJeldyMGHrdkRWQ98iYsbsS4CXe90wzn8f0CV5JlqMFh7N5aAQmErf64vSB3NEzSfDa5SVOlNsDpGbOabSHGjCKNVEhaz-XCS2yJWj1AOFQ2gmqenCGpnOqCb-cToEhXNBnu/w480-h640/IMG_5532.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrFDybMOXBLHY6fnWzXRlDbDLeioVuBv0Inigk5e2w2TaAXyu02x6tKsXvR4-xdWY2btLRjkt5VI4RDB6XYEJPydJmfcItU0cNfzGgvfiDUfdDMRm4qjg1PNyZN4KcQbfWZAJWO9IspEsiDUGV7G4OFhGZmIzS2aSRJsz1Mp8PabZE25Nh5N4uvhjmSC/s4032/IMG_5536.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrFDybMOXBLHY6fnWzXRlDbDLeioVuBv0Inigk5e2w2TaAXyu02x6tKsXvR4-xdWY2btLRjkt5VI4RDB6XYEJPydJmfcItU0cNfzGgvfiDUfdDMRm4qjg1PNyZN4KcQbfWZAJWO9IspEsiDUGV7G4OFhGZmIzS2aSRJsz1Mp8PabZE25Nh5N4uvhjmSC/w480-h640/IMG_5536.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCc_sHV3sm44MQFe4TGDz6-EpU7JaJa8QtCuo4A4xx__GsROzabeuBtgTt1aFYm1UPItZfjXSg5kK3Hsh_HjXUCSMx_lmKjFOAv66HnAKY0BzDivpGZiTac8bNj3UsmB6_rpRmmr6wf_MNw9MWNctDWgONot0dynmNB-kMrDz1BTR2RuLVSJHaE5_lrVl/s4032/IMG_5542.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCc_sHV3sm44MQFe4TGDz6-EpU7JaJa8QtCuo4A4xx__GsROzabeuBtgTt1aFYm1UPItZfjXSg5kK3Hsh_HjXUCSMx_lmKjFOAv66HnAKY0BzDivpGZiTac8bNj3UsmB6_rpRmmr6wf_MNw9MWNctDWgONot0dynmNB-kMrDz1BTR2RuLVSJHaE5_lrVl/w640-h480/IMG_5542.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEhjAydU5ZQ4Pe1zmapsma046KJB0gMf42XgkmdD69B9bUODBzB0QFV73G7s4kj5-aKkemLknYqdGv6lHvgceYgKAKiqskJDF89Mn2P8eF4_ueavcfz5daCd4V1CbOCgog-Yp1Phahw9ZSbpmUKeIBdrAKm1dsISOXbDQ29mNelLe-a-kNaRCKqWfRKeU/s4032/IMG_5544.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEhjAydU5ZQ4Pe1zmapsma046KJB0gMf42XgkmdD69B9bUODBzB0QFV73G7s4kj5-aKkemLknYqdGv6lHvgceYgKAKiqskJDF89Mn2P8eF4_ueavcfz5daCd4V1CbOCgog-Yp1Phahw9ZSbpmUKeIBdrAKm1dsISOXbDQ29mNelLe-a-kNaRCKqWfRKeU/w640-h480/IMG_5544.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>It was soon time to Split to Croatia. (Je ne regrette rien!!) If I were to count my time in Yugoslavian Belgrade as Serbia, that would mean I have now been to all seven of the former Yugo countries. But count aside, I am just happy that when I hear of Bosnia, I will no longer just think of the war but instead of a beautiful, hopeful country with so much to offer. </div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-23057351479612530802023-07-26T17:10:00.075-05:002023-09-14T16:16:00.043-05:00Country #124, It's still hotter than Hades. Part 2<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P_bMFlasM60jZktBjgkY12K0fMsQchbN0QsMXFCGs-BMlBONQ--k5WUB0whzyl6rUqCHbhgdEUcgAxdvmLbGgv7EjYtgHNzyDy65bKicXz1HR-ETruUWmajiSeMP-X4b0YgtUDdwbaj6GBh1tujvrkngMAyn690OiaPUp3eKEyPW4qFrs-KZMQLk0T1M/s4032/IMG_4979.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P_bMFlasM60jZktBjgkY12K0fMsQchbN0QsMXFCGs-BMlBONQ--k5WUB0whzyl6rUqCHbhgdEUcgAxdvmLbGgv7EjYtgHNzyDy65bKicXz1HR-ETruUWmajiSeMP-X4b0YgtUDdwbaj6GBh1tujvrkngMAyn690OiaPUp3eKEyPW4qFrs-KZMQLk0T1M/w640-h480/IMG_4979.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 2 in Country #124. If the previous day had a high of 112, surely there would be some kind of reprieve in the making. Nope. You didn't like 112, how's 114 for you? That was the reality as I caught a Bolt to see my guide/ new buddy Riyadh. We were meeting in Carthage, 20 minutes outside of Tunis, to explore a wealth of Phoenician and Roman ruins. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was ready. I had all the 50 spf I could slather on, more water than I would normally drink in a week and a manhole cover of a hat to keep me fresh as a cucumber. We got caught up, paid the entrance ticket that gets you into all the archeological sites and proceeded to the <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tophet-at-carthage">Tophet Sanctuaire</a>. This was a Phoenician burial site and possibly a place children were sacrificed to appease the gods. Or simply a place where children were buried. The controversy remains to this day- it is possible that the talk of sacrifice was nothing but Roman propaganda- but what is known is that between 730 BCE and 146 BCE, children's remains were interred on this site. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS04DTSF6usQvjogVYcDuz0mdTqd-b6xzYP8JihKmsb76O1yFHRfJyp9RxKAFqsBJMLlxP5KVGU4L3nf0RZ2jdtv74Hhc1ltzoQinc1CUxU83Yg5cxL8kGLCDnDeUbJQUJCZVwsPG7Sh0aN2Avym621Q8J6XpsbyPoZpFFArbz8B6-72_6FHvT-f2j8nD/s4032/IMG_4863.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLS04DTSF6usQvjogVYcDuz0mdTqd-b6xzYP8JihKmsb76O1yFHRfJyp9RxKAFqsBJMLlxP5KVGU4L3nf0RZ2jdtv74Hhc1ltzoQinc1CUxU83Yg5cxL8kGLCDnDeUbJQUJCZVwsPG7Sh0aN2Avym621Q8J6XpsbyPoZpFFArbz8B6-72_6FHvT-f2j8nD/w480-h640/IMG_4863.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOp58v4ubFzoKeVgssK3Dw50_Os8zYShqRmwPMaA-lPVj1H6b7SvqCiXOX_9g4TU-wafghWi40zqy84B0TbkD4IY72qT0qJ_4MrDYFRdtO9OKvdW1IUrsZe_1JFWrCphi6vZWO8y3lgW5uAWsicJped3PuYKfFtK4EobmsgjMzdfLOgiJLoAjpgTuUOn7/s4032/IMG_4866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOp58v4ubFzoKeVgssK3Dw50_Os8zYShqRmwPMaA-lPVj1H6b7SvqCiXOX_9g4TU-wafghWi40zqy84B0TbkD4IY72qT0qJ_4MrDYFRdtO9OKvdW1IUrsZe_1JFWrCphi6vZWO8y3lgW5uAWsicJped3PuYKfFtK4EobmsgjMzdfLOgiJLoAjpgTuUOn7/w480-h640/IMG_4866.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaEV55NUtyfbs37q6EpkQxPIeb5RyvCO4CQHQAkA69jy4MNTgtY51V-bcNCdYAfa4_XXgSBYtHuNXWv6TNQvkpXScVwgD-MNqySKnzB4uRmaZvvAOHdjT7IMYIxqsQn3M6rUf19juQkc748lpRlqY1SxoRffZsfhsihnWPrbic02ql0ul7fke9lBqP8J/s4032/IMG_4867.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaEV55NUtyfbs37q6EpkQxPIeb5RyvCO4CQHQAkA69jy4MNTgtY51V-bcNCdYAfa4_XXgSBYtHuNXWv6TNQvkpXScVwgD-MNqySKnzB4uRmaZvvAOHdjT7IMYIxqsQn3M6rUf19juQkc748lpRlqY1SxoRffZsfhsihnWPrbic02ql0ul7fke9lBqP8J/w480-h640/IMG_4867.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It feels incongruous that this site is now surrounded on all sides by high end homes but I guess when you have as much history as Carthage does, it is to be expected. Ancient Carthage was once one of the most important (read: richest) trading cities in all of the Mediterranean. It was the capital of the Punic (or Western Phoenician) empire and boasted a hidden marina that could accommodate up to 220 ships. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That marina, the Punic Port, was the next stop on our tour. Today, not much remains other than a couple of scale models and the general shape of the port but click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8NTcSXARwE">here</a> for a cool virtual recreation of what it would have looked like back in its heyday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB8ikPna8rOSryHyE-wt_PWhpJRwwb3l1egT9oNtqiIlOwtZecMTVypnxs2I8kpPNXEUtLrefnIv3ncC2fKwtROa5eIZTN8YlyPZIeyyjqf8vSL-4c7j9Qg8NH0PwtChGO1CqQTmsNVsEDMeOrq2M3ZSFqEZm41QpXOz8HzFanehEWr3GNQSS_aUdrdkR/s4032/IMG_4874.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB8ikPna8rOSryHyE-wt_PWhpJRwwb3l1egT9oNtqiIlOwtZecMTVypnxs2I8kpPNXEUtLrefnIv3ncC2fKwtROa5eIZTN8YlyPZIeyyjqf8vSL-4c7j9Qg8NH0PwtChGO1CqQTmsNVsEDMeOrq2M3ZSFqEZm41QpXOz8HzFanehEWr3GNQSS_aUdrdkR/w640-h480/IMG_4874.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6gCT7DxxdHeXYmgWMXIn_HHNZJv1UE-XhnZBqtNn4KqF1MM8NfKSQyykUQFFj6nLYX-XZgbUjqvjf4R3GnSKCLiVT4BdOkDsmABbxLy-S2ICMFsP_X4wjTUgYawJkGw4Eh8OAYIXpX99Kd0SznZuenR6iyTfuCaBNAKAYl9QJtvSL3_GzEZ0OCjxM_zC/s4032/IMG_4877.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6gCT7DxxdHeXYmgWMXIn_HHNZJv1UE-XhnZBqtNn4KqF1MM8NfKSQyykUQFFj6nLYX-XZgbUjqvjf4R3GnSKCLiVT4BdOkDsmABbxLy-S2ICMFsP_X4wjTUgYawJkGw4Eh8OAYIXpX99Kd0SznZuenR6iyTfuCaBNAKAYl9QJtvSL3_GzEZ0OCjxM_zC/w640-h480/IMG_4877.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we continued to our next stop, the Magon Quartier, I started to notice something unusual. There were tour buses, loads of them, driving past us. Apparently, there was a cruise ship in port and its inhabitants were now on their way somewhere. The Magon Quartier contains the remains of a Punic residential area, dating back to the 6th and 5th century BCE. This is not where the cruise ship people were going. As with the prior two sites, we had it all to ourselves.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl268JWp3v4_Sd3tPXsd5KHmymcJhyDPgfbW8U6M6T5SXB93rViY7c64mUa6Cx2aJp33QA5ZrF3Ug2vQ33H06r8L5pp1_cS6BFq-dvJFep8XIXPU9ouWs4UOjy_J8_XH_IqO3Z5BbrbmEsiIbhN5EX1gA662OIJv1zDAz7OzQKPUEJgZAFuPYC7orAeOOO/s4032/IMG_4883.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl268JWp3v4_Sd3tPXsd5KHmymcJhyDPgfbW8U6M6T5SXB93rViY7c64mUa6Cx2aJp33QA5ZrF3Ug2vQ33H06r8L5pp1_cS6BFq-dvJFep8XIXPU9ouWs4UOjy_J8_XH_IqO3Z5BbrbmEsiIbhN5EX1gA662OIJv1zDAz7OzQKPUEJgZAFuPYC7orAeOOO/w640-h480/IMG_4883.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL_d-FRuonDyIRb5fKZnJ70GIm2RvFRZBXRd4yBhOIg7Npbh1SmfgU2cO6u-c8yv5oVpMfo8zg_7tGIno-vj4UZN8oqPEINCwnKd9gz3aZpU2GTWY_yDoJCZWGOFBrD2_oqUETbV-H_AnKTHxpq1ejvI5Xnj6QtSvt9GxnLHmDN8sJmoS36kMotl2GV7P/s4032/IMG_4889.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL_d-FRuonDyIRb5fKZnJ70GIm2RvFRZBXRd4yBhOIg7Npbh1SmfgU2cO6u-c8yv5oVpMfo8zg_7tGIno-vj4UZN8oqPEINCwnKd9gz3aZpU2GTWY_yDoJCZWGOFBrD2_oqUETbV-H_AnKTHxpq1ejvI5Xnj6QtSvt9GxnLHmDN8sJmoS36kMotl2GV7P/w640-h480/IMG_4889.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmNR_dg0NgJXGiZTWlP3dwn_bkiY95MG83C0vzLYVT9vDcTCVZapSItrMPdwbLGCOZAJRgZ4lPn7H6lPuTtLzb7uPYYkLCbsV7bsVBxgIYcV37W8DpBCGiwU2OtpfP7oPnAzIcoD2FUFou_gXT1_FU4WYCP4Nttns5NFWwUf9J4HInd-a33JVUX49HA0n/s4032/IMG_4887.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmNR_dg0NgJXGiZTWlP3dwn_bkiY95MG83C0vzLYVT9vDcTCVZapSItrMPdwbLGCOZAJRgZ4lPn7H6lPuTtLzb7uPYYkLCbsV7bsVBxgIYcV37W8DpBCGiwU2OtpfP7oPnAzIcoD2FUFou_gXT1_FU4WYCP4Nttns5NFWwUf9J4HInd-a33JVUX49HA0n/w640-h480/IMG_4887.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't until we reached our next stop, the <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/locations/the-antonine-baths/">Antonine Baths</a>, that the mystery revealed itself. There were at least a dozen buses on the road leading to the entrance, their exhaust making an already steamy day that much hotter. These Roman baths, the third largest in the Roman empire and largest in Africa, date back to 145-165 CE. Compared to everything we had seen, they were incredibly well-preserved, which is surprising because there did not seem to be any prohibitions against climbing all over the ruins, which is exactly what the hordes of tourists were doing. (Full disclosure: I may have joined in once or twice).</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0klT5t1GQVaUesEqGPAmlGn486ZhWYIIf0KWWDSDNX-Fxve_sCpyPDF1ikch50i03pvHqkoygeKgVe2fjMN6CI_OCm8z-SbMg0lKbL2cXhLvBLF5ONHA03Yq1SWs3WlbS1PMCp3rnP-DX7wj1JGcCrAH7fjIbZNfMlxDaNqtA9E1d_GvwoCxNWEdd5Yl1/s4032/IMG_4968.jpeg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0klT5t1GQVaUesEqGPAmlGn486ZhWYIIf0KWWDSDNX-Fxve_sCpyPDF1ikch50i03pvHqkoygeKgVe2fjMN6CI_OCm8z-SbMg0lKbL2cXhLvBLF5ONHA03Yq1SWs3WlbS1PMCp3rnP-DX7wj1JGcCrAH7fjIbZNfMlxDaNqtA9E1d_GvwoCxNWEdd5Yl1/w640-h480/IMG_4968.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCzrCECDClp1ih_vsg51PewyulBuVczzsWnoUZ3Q4Wra7SQ3NNNi7wBOKr9c-0mDoIMbvJ-veH8_Vt9S-59SGYlMBllKdfYv__cXBDYRU-BHTvigMC5cdJGI1_y6ZiOWoeAnTFDfmitOpPTAECaOQaNkPPq5T3hiUSNwmo4ipRH9lTCJcMwoRgoxTem3G/s4032/IMG_4895.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCzrCECDClp1ih_vsg51PewyulBuVczzsWnoUZ3Q4Wra7SQ3NNNi7wBOKr9c-0mDoIMbvJ-veH8_Vt9S-59SGYlMBllKdfYv__cXBDYRU-BHTvigMC5cdJGI1_y6ZiOWoeAnTFDfmitOpPTAECaOQaNkPPq5T3hiUSNwmo4ipRH9lTCJcMwoRgoxTem3G/w640-h480/IMG_4895.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We spend a good half hour competing for space and photo ops with way too many groups of Spaniards. They kind of sucked but I was getting two tours, one from Riyadh and one from eavesdropping on the many other guides. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DmBZ2wweoqbvIFVjXEso_ozen_EPdkAvE-PNiM4KWekqiOjHVJ_dXCPrmhS-oCfMEfLIIz6SGFz9UGtUT1XXFX4cgFDqEzIGeWGMsBLqCBwqni6UuM-gIbQkkdC4smW4PsU7bnZt9hKOLjuvgNEOVo70u7yIj6z4PNtFw_WxCVE3uonV-A_5-aHDvdIV/s4032/IMG_4907.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DmBZ2wweoqbvIFVjXEso_ozen_EPdkAvE-PNiM4KWekqiOjHVJ_dXCPrmhS-oCfMEfLIIz6SGFz9UGtUT1XXFX4cgFDqEzIGeWGMsBLqCBwqni6UuM-gIbQkkdC4smW4PsU7bnZt9hKOLjuvgNEOVo70u7yIj6z4PNtFw_WxCVE3uonV-A_5-aHDvdIV/w640-h480/IMG_4907.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The gist of it was this was one decked out spa. There was a sauna, cold room, thermal baths, swimming pool, workout area (naked wrestling was mentioned at some point) and a giant communal latrine. It would have been a vast multi-level complex. Today only the ground level remains but it is still a pretty magical place to explore, or at least it became so when all the tourists returned to their buses and went back from whence they came.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYMF17uJlzUIvHDmHgjUvBAecYMbzrlD_xtFxdobqRqg4kJz0No_hX0BVLt9fdf6qhS6hq3N3haBykkfbDCJclxdwZ3kqBH5Zlts82RoK9E3vwULul5all2UJ4G9it1jRdTQR8Uqr3W5Pd64j2SA3Fqcg7j-VsVq5aXkgAO_Nma3236u9VSFiKOUyBycj/s4032/IMG_4914.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYMF17uJlzUIvHDmHgjUvBAecYMbzrlD_xtFxdobqRqg4kJz0No_hX0BVLt9fdf6qhS6hq3N3haBykkfbDCJclxdwZ3kqBH5Zlts82RoK9E3vwULul5all2UJ4G9it1jRdTQR8Uqr3W5Pd64j2SA3Fqcg7j-VsVq5aXkgAO_Nma3236u9VSFiKOUyBycj/w640-h480/IMG_4914.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJC02IZ9EJnmmTi-S92yi-QHE8YI0bT00VwRT--chwIXPXEbQbVEljRIjcueuVGzmhA7JEPho2n4hPwSAXO3-AZBzWbCaoYBlT8YPZbKaH2oCW1zbPhqtfghxFC1IUcxTh7aquopjfMV7OM_VlV1EcOIVoduLbwkb9Nqqb8WV3UZyu7CsDQ2fgn1EBab/s4032/IMG_4917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJC02IZ9EJnmmTi-S92yi-QHE8YI0bT00VwRT--chwIXPXEbQbVEljRIjcueuVGzmhA7JEPho2n4hPwSAXO3-AZBzWbCaoYBlT8YPZbKaH2oCW1zbPhqtfghxFC1IUcxTh7aquopjfMV7OM_VlV1EcOIVoduLbwkb9Nqqb8WV3UZyu7CsDQ2fgn1EBab/w480-h640/IMG_4917.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZAYinP2mU11jecGqfNLBidFXl3qDdi9los2g3zak1L-ymh0suVlYnEGB8QGwQ3qNC5jmIT266ya2ED9aAFm1cIsTw44rGx3Xuvc2zYtkOvwl-CGurXnECrFb_wSoY3XoqiRFXJI7_4uUSF_-qrjCujTMLwY5TXbdSKmerwvz3w7AFr_Zj_vVyf0cZlZS/s4032/IMG_4923.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU06F4WDgWopxdwJz8jQwI0QQeT50ebQokVpl7hpV8AFCu8K1QdjcCrRPZgynpWfeqUbaqjSAJMDjjGWfQphomZ3s4XUPK97BQEXrDYWhG-h70r0FEfSbI1-cytjPwQzKc-B-Qyq3IWl19rbFoDfyRerT3LhosN8iCQwROI7bBetDMbe1DY6GyU_7MvtU/w480-h640/IMG_4950.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVb62qU11F8rlKaHNeUgfsgM0E0GCfZ3hGxZfOyJvJ5wv93FmMGLN6bZKz26A49qTIbnM_UJJg6dbqqSllt0PN_7LNC2sV33qvLvi6vigEC6tiWmoZ4a7oRDxUBYY9p4AZzGVKt5zKEmUjH7fmHaQRopR9M_TGD0yHPN6fcGDXxVlqe6LVA-00aKs_JqK/s4032/2C99EB86-890D-42DA-AF5E-DA697F4ECEE7_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVb62qU11F8rlKaHNeUgfsgM0E0GCfZ3hGxZfOyJvJ5wv93FmMGLN6bZKz26A49qTIbnM_UJJg6dbqqSllt0PN_7LNC2sV33qvLvi6vigEC6tiWmoZ4a7oRDxUBYY9p4AZzGVKt5zKEmUjH7fmHaQRopR9M_TGD0yHPN6fcGDXxVlqe6LVA-00aKs_JqK/w480-h640/2C99EB86-890D-42DA-AF5E-DA697F4ECEE7_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We, on the other hand, did not board any bus. We continued on foot in the relentless midday sun. When we arrived at the Roman Villas, I vaguely noticed the remains of Roman luxury homes and the intricate mosaics stacked against the wall. At that moment, I was way more interested in the covered area behind the mosaics. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgUcsa0zeSXvPUXH4guduOj3UP58EkePQ85L9oTgzyKYqUmhfKiUKgqO-BTTq1XSvp5_cgaKTIRgnquMBtvGQWMUXj77Mi_zz7zAjoZW-u5TR5wDTdpba8oo4ds82qmpT4Z2poJoUAqBRmaWe05qoHifu-a1m6VV_RBWugLzHXSvTD8nHaLsONUgNQg4-/s4032/IMG_4981.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgUcsa0zeSXvPUXH4guduOj3UP58EkePQ85L9oTgzyKYqUmhfKiUKgqO-BTTq1XSvp5_cgaKTIRgnquMBtvGQWMUXj77Mi_zz7zAjoZW-u5TR5wDTdpba8oo4ds82qmpT4Z2poJoUAqBRmaWe05qoHifu-a1m6VV_RBWugLzHXSvTD8nHaLsONUgNQg4-/w640-h480/IMG_4981.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NwapulKUz82-LeZjLHgdokPf3JAXBiWl4aDPoCb_kSI9-YJ6G7u1-azyI5rKG9zbQSSR9fyuHP-_6JguXIJL1wOaja0uGg7j_SHHtN019VAUPiCD0L98s2NbqnbF45Qqib2Y_WToD0xvROV0t_syytX2out3DB08y0ibyi-cdFFSQuQyzrUpOmEXukTM/s4032/IMG_4984.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NwapulKUz82-LeZjLHgdokPf3JAXBiWl4aDPoCb_kSI9-YJ6G7u1-azyI5rKG9zbQSSR9fyuHP-_6JguXIJL1wOaja0uGg7j_SHHtN019VAUPiCD0L98s2NbqnbF45Qqib2Y_WToD0xvROV0t_syytX2out3DB08y0ibyi-cdFFSQuQyzrUpOmEXukTM/w640-h480/IMG_4984.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For the next 20 minutes, we literally hid from the sun guzzling bottles of water we had bought from a vendor at the entrance. It may have been the best water I've ever had. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once I no longer felt like a melting wax figure, we wandered back out. It was then that it struck me that these mosaics which would have been in a museum anywhere else in the world, were stacked like overstocked plywood at a 3rd rate Home Depot. Again, I think part of this has to do with the wealth of antiquities in the area- Riyadh mentioned that it's not uncommon for farmers to find ancient pottery and repurpose it as dog bowls or ashtrays. It's unrealistic to expect every shard to get full white glove treatment but this was a little much. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUhud8jSc_yN_a7iNAQsgCEOwoMyLvK2OvtJNUNXXHyVeeQ26sIKDfMlm0HEKblCEcVrJuClHrLWJ4SMynm7BABKvFwXfU6AXMFYNHFvvUmiCaSYLVn2wL2JWMjDI6HbOGn7m_ZUn-QBKYV5vCy0lp86Q2Z7ddOuRPs1RaArCN7zysgCJGchO5hcSK69u/s4032/IMG_4982.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUhud8jSc_yN_a7iNAQsgCEOwoMyLvK2OvtJNUNXXHyVeeQ26sIKDfMlm0HEKblCEcVrJuClHrLWJ4SMynm7BABKvFwXfU6AXMFYNHFvvUmiCaSYLVn2wL2JWMjDI6HbOGn7m_ZUn-QBKYV5vCy0lp86Q2Z7ddOuRPs1RaArCN7zysgCJGchO5hcSK69u/w480-h640/IMG_4982.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a09_xCqNJUKmZKRGM7dekSaS5uXG8NCEQajSSfNtTVdn3gUg8d7biZGCVGJ5k78VlrHn2GnGmCfB3EoSbn3SrrEcwK5pxPugO2U1mx-voM8CSRNv4S6HpG7llGT67sKIHFqqI8hsWI_hGBr1MBW2uJdoxvdNEU3y1CaFnh5kBPaCnOSbbk5kFtc3Yc9B/s4032/IMG_4985.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a09_xCqNJUKmZKRGM7dekSaS5uXG8NCEQajSSfNtTVdn3gUg8d7biZGCVGJ5k78VlrHn2GnGmCfB3EoSbn3SrrEcwK5pxPugO2U1mx-voM8CSRNv4S6HpG7llGT67sKIHFqqI8hsWI_hGBr1MBW2uJdoxvdNEU3y1CaFnh5kBPaCnOSbbk5kFtc3Yc9B/w480-h640/IMG_4985.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Given the nonchalant way they are being treated, it really is a wonder that things look as good as they do. The mosaics that were still in place were particularly impressive. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66kdpAKMxTopCVtVesuHICdwTcRVpbG55scLezDbZduExEuO7CotJ6m2SnxB9Sy4goHq_EdZADqI84Eb91EOGM1nMCRB4rWX-kkjW8oJMDVnPPpHYmeeF7ezwIlN0EvpXzDRGDM_i2XeiP0gHzd_ZOtlJdVRTU0nkrZTOSKOYL9BurBWJt4shQ0i-HlLf/s4032/IMG_4990.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66kdpAKMxTopCVtVesuHICdwTcRVpbG55scLezDbZduExEuO7CotJ6m2SnxB9Sy4goHq_EdZADqI84Eb91EOGM1nMCRB4rWX-kkjW8oJMDVnPPpHYmeeF7ezwIlN0EvpXzDRGDM_i2XeiP0gHzd_ZOtlJdVRTU0nkrZTOSKOYL9BurBWJt4shQ0i-HlLf/w480-h640/IMG_4990.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktzxoQJRy8FwXZokW6bnvuvi6SgSY2og4cdn_BU3WVYNh2aMuvXZ41GhbjmTkqDso3aZv-51CUo_lt93_3Kn4Tv-Qzw37yyxEpBF3X2B8CecHV2HdAC8zp-ySB9hb0ZTHiLtJ1kcwpwUyfeZCpdtBYP2fc4tI_28_dlBd2AcbWetpYMsSVK54jReHniC_/s4032/IMG_4992.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktzxoQJRy8FwXZokW6bnvuvi6SgSY2og4cdn_BU3WVYNh2aMuvXZ41GhbjmTkqDso3aZv-51CUo_lt93_3Kn4Tv-Qzw37yyxEpBF3X2B8CecHV2HdAC8zp-ySB9hb0ZTHiLtJ1kcwpwUyfeZCpdtBYP2fc4tI_28_dlBd2AcbWetpYMsSVK54jReHniC_/w480-h640/IMG_4992.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEIcfyqQoCnvq8o9X3QIeYrDXph6fXMQqydPD31HfwSffMRLCnCdcfecCSE4jCoUfaBWfyqB-VIGIpW1dslwaB5qclZs-Yc34NUZv7hBaS2DsqGhtqoC1iCgM6byhlR_MtHuSu0jf5n_Id2R7bUlX3PXU1t4ZYDdA6-YO7I5tJWZhjW_ZCx5QYDtd9uPs/s4032/IMG_5006.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEIcfyqQoCnvq8o9X3QIeYrDXph6fXMQqydPD31HfwSffMRLCnCdcfecCSE4jCoUfaBWfyqB-VIGIpW1dslwaB5qclZs-Yc34NUZv7hBaS2DsqGhtqoC1iCgM6byhlR_MtHuSu0jf5n_Id2R7bUlX3PXU1t4ZYDdA6-YO7I5tJWZhjW_ZCx5QYDtd9uPs/w480-h640/IMG_5006.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn7taldiW9tg9oqxhflnj8WNggqydBimWILO6DVJzOjuC0PJiSOdka3YWTN27ir0NeE50b3YoL4Y0Kh-rvwMnUcBqfRWczT0JjcP_Qzvru9SfJM9wMa6dYgmJrGH0IiOdd_GniNzNJhG7XuRcTiUpCpcC_f6MnO_o1B_PuL7lj55j7w5ij80ykRtXBidP/s4032/IMG_5014.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn7taldiW9tg9oqxhflnj8WNggqydBimWILO6DVJzOjuC0PJiSOdka3YWTN27ir0NeE50b3YoL4Y0Kh-rvwMnUcBqfRWczT0JjcP_Qzvru9SfJM9wMa6dYgmJrGH0IiOdd_GniNzNJhG7XuRcTiUpCpcC_f6MnO_o1B_PuL7lj55j7w5ij80ykRtXBidP/w480-h640/IMG_5014.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From there is was a short walk to the<a href="https://www.historyhit.com/locations/roman-amphitheatre-of-carthage/"> Roman Amphitheatre</a>, built in the 1st century CE, rebuilt by Julius Caesar and still very much an active concert venue. On this day, they were midway through a month-long concert series. The lineup ranged from Arabic music to Electronica to hip-hop (I could have been having heat induced hallucinations but I vaguely remember seeing Flo Rida's name on the poster.) I asked if there was any efforts in place to ensure that the crowds and vibrations generated by Apple Bottom Jeans don't damage the structure. Riyadh looked at me as if I had well and truly lost my mind. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItdpcM2W2x1kGLjOZYgAZHuI3MdCqhGiRJK2npVLqR_nzqU9aj9BFLc_SysT7WdTrzwb0B2JkYuyeCa6gRD41AvYp3STkpcuJpE1o8bx9_P7PM2e_LiOOTUz-6GahIGrvQZkd4sZTb7csViWSYkcRM52JHYSziqvk0AXXF1T3bvMRZ2g-2RDn2lzcPv5o/s4032/IMG_5020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItdpcM2W2x1kGLjOZYgAZHuI3MdCqhGiRJK2npVLqR_nzqU9aj9BFLc_SysT7WdTrzwb0B2JkYuyeCa6gRD41AvYp3STkpcuJpE1o8bx9_P7PM2e_LiOOTUz-6GahIGrvQZkd4sZTb7csViWSYkcRM52JHYSziqvk0AXXF1T3bvMRZ2g-2RDn2lzcPv5o/w640-h480/IMG_5020.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To emphasize his point about antiquities just being a part of everyday life, we stopped by a lot where a bunch of columns had been haphazardly erected. This was not done by the Romans. They were nothing if not precise but by some later person who happened to have a bunch of columns and said "just put them over there..."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL48GN8VEcV1k08TtnOsyzMSmQtdNZW4CtytyKmiB-15GAEQgIWfK2kJKCjyvvYywyeyoGNdnKzljRN4bWXOVBtrZYjGg1zfTbYwrDqjslkRdgMLUqiOJs7FJa265p6Tr3dv7mkb2QwmEEBogFgV9alWiKOqOa4hygbd7vgPbpXbV3pTJLiFrR2ZuN6iOh/s4032/IMG_5022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL48GN8VEcV1k08TtnOsyzMSmQtdNZW4CtytyKmiB-15GAEQgIWfK2kJKCjyvvYywyeyoGNdnKzljRN4bWXOVBtrZYjGg1zfTbYwrDqjslkRdgMLUqiOJs7FJa265p6Tr3dv7mkb2QwmEEBogFgV9alWiKOqOa4hygbd7vgPbpXbV3pTJLiFrR2ZuN6iOh/w480-h640/IMG_5022.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Much more egregious is the Malek Ibn Anas mosque. It is a beautiful structure, to be sure, but built atop what is beyond question thousands of years of history. The amount of land paved to construct this building in 2000 is massive, so much so that UNESCO threatened to take away Carthage's historic designation for not being proper stewards of the land. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7qTBIM8uNHqA4B-oZhbpWixWI5Nry8fFvwpV1vQiY97teAvPThOKQGArTWdDiOwssesXr0Mq18pGd_N4guEbDytODAYZKfuSKFPusqLuygMofFrwOzATPdoI0fC2cQXfK00KPVHFA4NLOvFWaz6hKBw7V193Yf3Krd31TxcxHnZyZmhksaDnHjAyaTh/s4032/IMG_5023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ7qTBIM8uNHqA4B-oZhbpWixWI5Nry8fFvwpV1vQiY97teAvPThOKQGArTWdDiOwssesXr0Mq18pGd_N4guEbDytODAYZKfuSKFPusqLuygMofFrwOzATPdoI0fC2cQXfK00KPVHFA4NLOvFWaz6hKBw7V193Yf3Krd31TxcxHnZyZmhksaDnHjAyaTh/w640-h480/IMG_5023.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A shortcut through a field brought us to an unexpected site, the <a href="https://www.africom.mil/Story/31145/every-day-is-memorial-day-at-the-north-africa-american-cemetery-in-tunisia">North African American Cemetery and Memorial</a>. It is the only US military cemetery in Africa and the resting place of 2,841 soldiers who perished during WW2. We were welcomed into a lovely visitor's center where a dedicated caretaker explained the history of both the cemetery and the soldiers buried therein (including some of the Tuskegee Airmen) Did I ask some extra questions because this was the first I had felt air conditioning since landing in Tunis? Perhaps but I was truly impressed by the level of commitment to a place that most people probably don't even know exists. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo2a3bWEWRFgmC1Q80UhfxqLpihebmZQK9dqVn20q57INNh4-m32SxWmIUxfdKvynt6O7Zs_afq3nDsYLZR-PhpyZJPh_2HxcsLdoEvveywDjxWBIxlIPgfRCO5Nr04zz4WzDyQg_cMT6X3DO8jOdfSqfimLB7bfqdvIBIXTTuIH4BeN2OhjzKCXQ2E2j/s4032/IMG_5036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo2a3bWEWRFgmC1Q80UhfxqLpihebmZQK9dqVn20q57INNh4-m32SxWmIUxfdKvynt6O7Zs_afq3nDsYLZR-PhpyZJPh_2HxcsLdoEvveywDjxWBIxlIPgfRCO5Nr04zz4WzDyQg_cMT6X3DO8jOdfSqfimLB7bfqdvIBIXTTuIH4BeN2OhjzKCXQ2E2j/w640-h480/IMG_5036.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZsFMwaFvrLfnr4ARjxjgxFMDHfW1bWRZGH4tHEHyRNl0Dwhoxqsvk7TFyF7nYa_87nMJlGkZjqY40laVfzC6P2rLSnqupOpU-9aRLuzvIc37W2mgOCfoJdvZbyveU8IhtBWY024tOp1LBgDLu4eQpFB2lth1eY7T5mUp-mlu_TvF3rORlZyDy8IL_lXd/s4032/IMG_5031.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZsFMwaFvrLfnr4ARjxjgxFMDHfW1bWRZGH4tHEHyRNl0Dwhoxqsvk7TFyF7nYa_87nMJlGkZjqY40laVfzC6P2rLSnqupOpU-9aRLuzvIc37W2mgOCfoJdvZbyveU8IhtBWY024tOp1LBgDLu4eQpFB2lth1eY7T5mUp-mlu_TvF3rORlZyDy8IL_lXd/w640-h480/IMG_5031.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This concluded our visit to historic Carthage. We returned to Sidi Bou Said for lunch and a bit of strolling around before calling it a day. Riyadh had plans for the next day so I would be on my own but now I had a better feel for the area and was ready to explore on my own. I planned to take a 3 hour louge ride to El Djem, yet another amphitheater but this one much larger and in better shape than the one in Carthage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That is until that evening, I received a call from Riyadh. He had checked the weather and it was somehow going to be even hotter, 120 degrees!! I can't even imagine it but apparently the heat in Djem is even worse than in Tunis. He had seen me having literal meltdowns and did not think 6 hours in hot vans and walking around shadeless archaeological sites was a good idea. He implored I take it easy and stay in Tunis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It sounded like a reasonable request. The heat was literally making me ill. I was nauseous from just walking around. But then I woke up the next morning, realized this was my last day in Tunisia, looked at the big map on the wall and decided I needed to pursue a closer arrow. Instead of baking in a louage for 3 hours, I could bake for just one hour. That's doable. The new plan was to go to Bizerte, in the northern part of the country and then somehow get myself to Cap Angela, the northernmost point in Africa. Back in 2003, I had been to the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost point, so this was now an absolute necessity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A kind Bolt driver who realized my Duolingo French wasn't really cutting it, parked his car and walked me into the louage station to make sure I got into the right van. The louage driver, perhaps noting that the mega-hat that was now welded to my head might not even fit in the back put me in the passenger seat, where I enjoyed a nice cross-breeze. All was going well. Until we got to Bizerte, where we were basically dropped off on the side of a busy road. The locals (as in every other person that was in the louage) were getting taxis with pretty minimal effort. I was not having such luck. Not a single car would stop for me. Time to improvise. In the most broken French, I started approaching drivers who were on break on a side street and telling them (I think) that I wanted to hire them for a touristic visit. Finally, a guy I had approached who'd declined had a change of heart and picked me up. I called Riyadh and had him negotiate this deal. As the conversation took place in Arabic, I watched the driver's face sink further and further into confusion. Why exactly did this woman want to go an hour away to see the northernmost point? She speaks no Arabic and something that is not really French? Is this a normal thing American women do??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we got further from the city and any semblance of a cell phone signal, I watched this poor man struggle to find this elusive place. When he did get an errant bar or two, he used it to call every person in his contacts list and explain his current predicament. My phone and its gps refused to offer any help. Finally another driver sent us down a dirt road, which led us to a lighthouse within viewing distance of the northernmost point. That was good enough for me. I was perfectly content to take the win and explained as much (I think). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijOIh2JC6Se7xH0bdr0_wbDsN24hKIyKU9dVqvOvrgud4VNcvL--M73DE7MZcDApXA8KYWcn82wyXuD2Pkn2FoFgtqO4PMCDV-7DWT6KXvuNMnKCjbUd_7QVdmQF_F9yw40p9ZQHKdeSQcJ4MEBb4Yx72O6iU-qsiUOWMFzBwgfTmbm2iwGmjRIjq3MUu/s4032/IMG_5071.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijOIh2JC6Se7xH0bdr0_wbDsN24hKIyKU9dVqvOvrgud4VNcvL--M73DE7MZcDApXA8KYWcn82wyXuD2Pkn2FoFgtqO4PMCDV-7DWT6KXvuNMnKCjbUd_7QVdmQF_F9yw40p9ZQHKdeSQcJ4MEBb4Yx72O6iU-qsiUOWMFzBwgfTmbm2iwGmjRIjq3MUu/w640-h480/IMG_5071.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_x-DXd5J4-BrvnlQrwTFjfXYZjlZFXnCi-RoqU2lKUj7yldUCAIwSYMMJ2zTDjcpXPtUn9dGQezWanNTwJmBkyGWAfsBPWEnA5mFeCtwwMUQiZOoefSKC0e0PTfP6jwAN3NUanwkrXKgv-i7wBfCAXSkB7NynMR16StDqQnQgMFH6br9KLlUGlCca7na/s4032/IMG_5073.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_x-DXd5J4-BrvnlQrwTFjfXYZjlZFXnCi-RoqU2lKUj7yldUCAIwSYMMJ2zTDjcpXPtUn9dGQezWanNTwJmBkyGWAfsBPWEnA5mFeCtwwMUQiZOoefSKC0e0PTfP6jwAN3NUanwkrXKgv-i7wBfCAXSkB7NynMR16StDqQnQgMFH6br9KLlUGlCca7na/w640-h480/IMG_5073.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But my man was now committed to the cause. He had come this far he was going to see it through. Back into the car, more dirt roads, goal in hand until there it was. The monument marking the northernmost point.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EMTtDl8ycUncMkDuOSR2f-YMbj2pp-2y__FpcL8UPFfRCatD3ZOz6YUmRsxfjmkEbPR1ViINWAmJUr0zaXzpHQJJxZRAQBMcoqS809CLRLs088E8VxhO8JPPac-LYzJYapin30g3yeHWfqPhbWSsTELNrwRs2NFxLq5_Zd0BVpwBf-iHrudQnPS7zZI1/s3336/IMG_5078.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="3336" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EMTtDl8ycUncMkDuOSR2f-YMbj2pp-2y__FpcL8UPFfRCatD3ZOz6YUmRsxfjmkEbPR1ViINWAmJUr0zaXzpHQJJxZRAQBMcoqS809CLRLs088E8VxhO8JPPac-LYzJYapin30g3yeHWfqPhbWSsTELNrwRs2NFxLq5_Zd0BVpwBf-iHrudQnPS7zZI1/w640-h484/IMG_5078.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4cCUBVypLJqCU6ngkgIoRNTYs96ygM8VND0XUeQlF6g-vzlQ30fGcn2qomNe9465PmN40l0C5ljDl_MNla4Lrd0rhRzHzb5fHJcZfyRWxNpCZusIXxaqHrWykR7jklaopu4_bF1EO1r8-4Mqjx_IjYOZ6WCx7TdShdRZ13SggxFGfmcLmEpxP9DMwGt8/s4032/IMG_5081.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4cCUBVypLJqCU6ngkgIoRNTYs96ygM8VND0XUeQlF6g-vzlQ30fGcn2qomNe9465PmN40l0C5ljDl_MNla4Lrd0rhRzHzb5fHJcZfyRWxNpCZusIXxaqHrWykR7jklaopu4_bF1EO1r8-4Mqjx_IjYOZ6WCx7TdShdRZ13SggxFGfmcLmEpxP9DMwGt8/w640-h480/IMG_5081.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I think he may have been more excited than I was. I ascertained (I think) that this was his first time here so I demanded his phone and had him posing all over the monument. This stoic man who had no idea when he woke where his day was going to take him now wanted us to take a selfie. Hell, yeah!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsbSrctm9WIgamAj1lmsCgfiOECdZ3X010yr6_ihsE8Ur_-UCsOgNRY-ZLUaUWwTWWfmGh9WjnTqdzLbiV8bpdkJRF0H2ap9tmTiGjrOwDsiCb8owH-fEwl1pF4yDxKEDoipfrvMsP3ptT-CS5no06Pf2V3TCOkDF2eF0rLeajDzs-R6nhewaOHsbHwtm/s4032/IMG_5092.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsbSrctm9WIgamAj1lmsCgfiOECdZ3X010yr6_ihsE8Ur_-UCsOgNRY-ZLUaUWwTWWfmGh9WjnTqdzLbiV8bpdkJRF0H2ap9tmTiGjrOwDsiCb8owH-fEwl1pF4yDxKEDoipfrvMsP3ptT-CS5no06Pf2V3TCOkDF2eF0rLeajDzs-R6nhewaOHsbHwtm/w640-h480/IMG_5092.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9bzleYYc9S4j-F-tPPv5e9ZepWb3wU_I3AL3ubkL_2lor6QfLrN8aaVpx1RkTAjRVLvtivrcC36DBNT5DTfwMp8ZXQJn9LiW0op3RMyrkYQDDxcBCpnPxNlnljFz-zJNHWW44EIe8jkoFCbrhUZOkMccuqPmv618s-XL6x55EnJJrVNNqjqEELXd_IHz/s4032/IMG_5094.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9bzleYYc9S4j-F-tPPv5e9ZepWb3wU_I3AL3ubkL_2lor6QfLrN8aaVpx1RkTAjRVLvtivrcC36DBNT5DTfwMp8ZXQJn9LiW0op3RMyrkYQDDxcBCpnPxNlnljFz-zJNHWW44EIe8jkoFCbrhUZOkMccuqPmv618s-XL6x55EnJJrVNNqjqEELXd_IHz/w640-h480/IMG_5094.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In between the lighthouse and the monument was a pretty killer beach with drink/ food stands, hammocks, beach chairs and most impressively in-water cabanas. My question is how the hell do you have all of this and not one single sign pointing the way? Not a one. This is not visible from the road, not even close. I get it that if you know, you know but c'mon now. Not one single umbrella salesman thought to put up a sign?</div><div><br /></div><div>We hung out on the beach a bit, enjoying some cold drinks before the hour long drive back.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQnoQAUZ80fIWIGAz1V2bLpHC-h1e2MEebrL2Mzy3vpjZ_yLp6kMeyr4JqEsWH5sDL8AwDmkpY3aKuVeGQ8VhqThLdY2R326sFZFrNcxRRuI1UFjRpY9atw5OncaNxkoYSjrjH1wqJ3_ZYVpd6IDoU0Qw8dgc9WefMVP6j9kNrchruZOkXWmsQqSPOMjK/s4032/IMG_5099.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQnoQAUZ80fIWIGAz1V2bLpHC-h1e2MEebrL2Mzy3vpjZ_yLp6kMeyr4JqEsWH5sDL8AwDmkpY3aKuVeGQ8VhqThLdY2R326sFZFrNcxRRuI1UFjRpY9atw5OncaNxkoYSjrjH1wqJ3_ZYVpd6IDoU0Qw8dgc9WefMVP6j9kNrchruZOkXWmsQqSPOMjK/w640-h480/IMG_5099.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngx3XBAeJqcZj5kNTu4SufnWRBS8jpornFr5Wwv4ktdZ_1Nju2Wi9IE-beOB2GO_e6cHLM_MnVuedOjxR2WU6l_gL8Z9pKV_cLL0wCeAu5Ww4ObFz6GvIsuNQTRmv0mSut7MFQbvelXBBvfo4nI2TcigZ4adFIXUoYcwvcjhOVMhRDvv3ZF9cwqgeODJ/s4032/IMG_5100.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngx3XBAeJqcZj5kNTu4SufnWRBS8jpornFr5Wwv4ktdZ_1Nju2Wi9IE-beOB2GO_e6cHLM_MnVuedOjxR2WU6l_gL8Z9pKV_cLL0wCeAu5Ww4ObFz6GvIsuNQTRmv0mSut7MFQbvelXBBvfo4nI2TcigZ4adFIXUoYcwvcjhOVMhRDvv3ZF9cwqgeODJ/w640-h480/IMG_5100.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUBE6cY3HMyIZQTjWbXMz5EVeoLReUIE8Xy30wSAGdvN-yzJotJYrXo93riTXQDkDuYS61tQ-DUjosDSeVuWPhO1yvcRBN8IUtqF2Cw32ZIDEYJzmZZ9nVjQT6jN7erOd0lFy_x66GYEab7RowxH3WqPRApWqA7MijD3o1tsi6pV4vHaAQ8roWY_I_A6b/s4032/IMG_5108.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUBE6cY3HMyIZQTjWbXMz5EVeoLReUIE8Xy30wSAGdvN-yzJotJYrXo93riTXQDkDuYS61tQ-DUjosDSeVuWPhO1yvcRBN8IUtqF2Cw32ZIDEYJzmZZ9nVjQT6jN7erOd0lFy_x66GYEab7RowxH3WqPRApWqA7MijD3o1tsi6pV4vHaAQ8roWY_I_A6b/w640-h480/IMG_5108.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once we were back in Bizerte, I figured I might as well check out the old harbour before returning to Tunis. I'm so glad I did. It was lovely, chill and had a restaurant inside of an ark.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfDCSGFFjLk6l2AfFowvWpbWta3GVzNDVmHgjuVKgRNxrcobcYEvLKDgSDKFPKYG1hS8XT-sbdxg1YghDValxA2Aay317frcwl6yx_As3HA2__29xIeASY6G0JqJAaGxBpLuAZoXWhPJ1KcbcMNpi310HqClJXMqtJbj9idsC4bWlLVVjYcIX4vdtcDlW/s4004/IMG_5111.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="4004" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfDCSGFFjLk6l2AfFowvWpbWta3GVzNDVmHgjuVKgRNxrcobcYEvLKDgSDKFPKYG1hS8XT-sbdxg1YghDValxA2Aay317frcwl6yx_As3HA2__29xIeASY6G0JqJAaGxBpLuAZoXWhPJ1KcbcMNpi310HqClJXMqtJbj9idsC4bWlLVVjYcIX4vdtcDlW/w640-h450/IMG_5111.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl6kuSbFM_wqXchPXScLrKvfEAuV4_wcTED-TzhnqFDbHoP2E89sgGaonlqUIwDoPzAq9-qAWdDDC7FxhEiFbnd07eQYmgxB76nHt1W7ndKzqB_1jWez2N23MCfGesgUAb723hU_AF8gICgqCmboealIy1u0f6O4c2DwlXAAY8QWl3fnW0Q_Ropw6QWyG/s4032/IMG_5119.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl6kuSbFM_wqXchPXScLrKvfEAuV4_wcTED-TzhnqFDbHoP2E89sgGaonlqUIwDoPzAq9-qAWdDDC7FxhEiFbnd07eQYmgxB76nHt1W7ndKzqB_1jWez2N23MCfGesgUAb723hU_AF8gICgqCmboealIy1u0f6O4c2DwlXAAY8QWl3fnW0Q_Ropw6QWyG/w480-h640/IMG_5119.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUoOWjdPYEJkL3pFYdssSFOaeAkMN053ZEhWPFxWcu-onj0y4oDLrD2idOn4nzcPvIdbgmjX_rtvLD0SE684hu1deVeq3neZCOcW28YoxGaHSwshnnKngeMPYIhOCaYcUUZ7cDxq03EImYtW_nLeAp4iwzvEEb865Pq744qsgRzRGmKzsbDLrV9cWRb9f/s4032/IMG_5120.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUoOWjdPYEJkL3pFYdssSFOaeAkMN053ZEhWPFxWcu-onj0y4oDLrD2idOn4nzcPvIdbgmjX_rtvLD0SE684hu1deVeq3neZCOcW28YoxGaHSwshnnKngeMPYIhOCaYcUUZ7cDxq03EImYtW_nLeAp4iwzvEEb865Pq744qsgRzRGmKzsbDLrV9cWRb9f/w640-h480/IMG_5120.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ7aQEveSt2QJ4cAU8zGevmbS99uHzdipZnEXM1zJIUb2az15myiRK3Zgp_1uYek6vrMrEJgVx-X0hF2u37cmOpH-9dwvgHQtLehLaS8vE1JVEsyX3SrIJ6SNJNvoFmggO_bOCZRua8bcxnnXMN50kFLcrtPN9R_lcNpaxqgAJjWNhb7uD4o-9OcF38uy/s4032/IMG_5124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ7aQEveSt2QJ4cAU8zGevmbS99uHzdipZnEXM1zJIUb2az15myiRK3Zgp_1uYek6vrMrEJgVx-X0hF2u37cmOpH-9dwvgHQtLehLaS8vE1JVEsyX3SrIJ6SNJNvoFmggO_bOCZRua8bcxnnXMN50kFLcrtPN9R_lcNpaxqgAJjWNhb7uD4o-9OcF38uy/w480-h640/IMG_5124.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMB1du1FRNuImEBx3N4PTs-Dzv9H8ROJWQB26fifg0irv2vqVqM5j1ag3px2WiK5t0w_A4oKh007NlzR7TmYu8_t5FClu_3k3Q9p8JNQs8YXdNabGa7_NLJ2QHs7I4NdBIWhYlsfpXIka5z5BQRmcCq26kgi-gOXIP3FVglDnSQ9ifim2ioqdMET2itXh/s4032/IMG_5128.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMB1du1FRNuImEBx3N4PTs-Dzv9H8ROJWQB26fifg0irv2vqVqM5j1ag3px2WiK5t0w_A4oKh007NlzR7TmYu8_t5FClu_3k3Q9p8JNQs8YXdNabGa7_NLJ2QHs7I4NdBIWhYlsfpXIka5z5BQRmcCq26kgi-gOXIP3FVglDnSQ9ifim2ioqdMET2itXh/w640-h480/IMG_5128.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Eventually, I made it back to Tunis, tired, perpetually overheated but with one more thing to do. I had a 2am flight to Amsterdam but Riyadh had promised to show me some nightlife and I was not missing out on this. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx8htVfwQEDQPayJ-1GZik8qQhhBl1wzqnOD4Qn9LgHkNAe4n31_xFReP_oP1fh2j3g_94wYm6-cw0VRFVUBimnxk56MjGAObsbirusDYVYs0BC1Uazgd9k9orE_673mx6kkU_B3-xO1PoSUYKGtkbZpiEHdU5nLZG3QHzs7BGSfFh9YVQny4Vs5b_uQ_/s4032/IMG_5143.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx8htVfwQEDQPayJ-1GZik8qQhhBl1wzqnOD4Qn9LgHkNAe4n31_xFReP_oP1fh2j3g_94wYm6-cw0VRFVUBimnxk56MjGAObsbirusDYVYs0BC1Uazgd9k9orE_673mx6kkU_B3-xO1PoSUYKGtkbZpiEHdU5nLZG3QHzs7BGSfFh9YVQny4Vs5b_uQ_/w640-h480/IMG_5143.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And what a night it was...To think, just a couple of days before we were struggling to find a place to get a beer and now, well I'm not sure what this was, but it was something.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LgQsIDINs7Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="LgQsIDINs7Q"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It made for some fascinating people watching opportunities. My personal favorite was the gentleman in the blue shirt. Even without saying a word, I felt like I knew so much about him. This man is a provider. He is an environmentalist who when offered a plastic bag will politely decline. But most of all, he is someone who straight does not give a fuck. How do I know all of these things? Note the big bag of diapers that he proudly plopped down on the table- not under the table- atop the table, front and center before ordering a bucket of beers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jshDeG7gswdjxav0MMccjGk9nte9is_hPAMnT8-4m8SsRqS08n5Ju3HcqoEHtejwn_VxYW2Rf95OQtuuSOqOp7CXN_dm9-iyTapts9bMPmI1oPIe6jZwWGzeylH_j5oH4Ohjr70QGyfh7-mT74hm9CJNVQL4sxWxKZ7CCjkiG-wBrCTok4XkoIOLNpDU/s1161/126e18b1-0cf1-4f14-a5bb-5a47a9a06c5e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jshDeG7gswdjxav0MMccjGk9nte9is_hPAMnT8-4m8SsRqS08n5Ju3HcqoEHtejwn_VxYW2Rf95OQtuuSOqOp7CXN_dm9-iyTapts9bMPmI1oPIe6jZwWGzeylH_j5oH4Ohjr70QGyfh7-mT74hm9CJNVQL4sxWxKZ7CCjkiG-wBrCTok4XkoIOLNpDU/w508-h640/126e18b1-0cf1-4f14-a5bb-5a47a9a06c5e.jpeg" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBp8lpPhZlYU8SQJIfAj00DXw10gmGcj5Z07FXLzLK3mRTN-FnmXfxgDsHT4tUVlnOgYxU8ZPYpp1wvAkWhymReyzcO2rhI1mi6xBRCgI7afWiGTu4KvWL271fMT03amIi4-RKvhFNdASo9dPxmiZl39qHfiNedEJ3bo9Iws2T81_KonfuzyvfsupUXBE/s4032/IMG_5148.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBp8lpPhZlYU8SQJIfAj00DXw10gmGcj5Z07FXLzLK3mRTN-FnmXfxgDsHT4tUVlnOgYxU8ZPYpp1wvAkWhymReyzcO2rhI1mi6xBRCgI7afWiGTu4KvWL271fMT03amIi4-RKvhFNdASo9dPxmiZl39qHfiNedEJ3bo9Iws2T81_KonfuzyvfsupUXBE/w480-h640/IMG_5148.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From there, every bar we hit was somehow a little more interesting than the one before. There were lounge bands, working girls (and only working girls, the male to female ratio was off the charts) and lots of complimentary snacks. It was a wild but fascinating way to end a visit to a wild but fascinating place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was not a goodbye but an until next time. I loved what I saw and fully intend to return. But I can tell you one thing, there is no fucking way it will be during the summer. Il fait vraiment trop fucking chaud.</div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-61053970344074071292023-07-25T15:28:00.144-05:002023-09-10T17:21:30.241-05:00Country #124: Feeling Hot in Tunisia, Part 1<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx6kkDj16M4GD_PRO4zu9SE2F-bITUDk_hNcdhecArhz5pM0LS2y4Ko6YMCftJ7LmpbezZ68KsiZ_376Hd6Fx7ZITI3UWPo3ZdzIBL44nnplcm9bUBMmHoi330OS62wSCOLplGVtthEPvNV782sE8it52bIXEvLmCPg4Hea0ScmvwwaH8iBLMQ8yNi4gx/s4032/IMG_4844.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx6kkDj16M4GD_PRO4zu9SE2F-bITUDk_hNcdhecArhz5pM0LS2y4Ko6YMCftJ7LmpbezZ68KsiZ_376Hd6Fx7ZITI3UWPo3ZdzIBL44nnplcm9bUBMmHoi330OS62wSCOLplGVtthEPvNV782sE8it52bIXEvLmCPg4Hea0ScmvwwaH8iBLMQ8yNi4gx/w640-h480/IMG_4844.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s a predictable formula: take an unexpected summer stay in Amsterdam, throw in a couple of days off here and there and it’s almost guaranteed I’m going to book a last minute ticket somewhere, preferably a new country. Inevitably, there will be very little time for preparation followed by last minute scrambling upon arrival at said new country.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some places you can just roll up and do just that, finding stuff to do via a google search, a stack of brochures or suggestions from a helpful hostel host. Tunisia aka country #124 was not one of those places. Sure, the hostel had a huge map of the country with arrows helpfully pointing out the highlights. The problem was getting to those arrows, the ones outside of the capital city of Tunis, was bedeviling difficult.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are no trains. There are no buses as we know them, only luages, which are 16 passenger vans that come and go on a whim, usually packed to the brim and without a hint of a/c. Discomfort aside, without a timetable you can easily miss the last return bus without even knowing it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next option was to rent a car. And drive in some of the worst traffic I have ever seen. With intermittent cell phone service. In a country where the two main languages are French and Arabic. By myself!! Seriously, fuck that.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hiring a driver, way too expensive. Bus tour? Not my favorite thing to do but on my first night, I relented and signed up for a $130 tour to El Djem, site of some pretty fantastic looking Roman ruins. I went to sleep content that I now had a plan for my first full day. And then woke up to an email stating that my tour had been cancelled. Fuck!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I needed to come up with something stat. I saw there was a couple of free walking tours on Get My Guide, a site that I tend to avoid because oftentimes, the people offering them are not actual guides, the tours are not actual tours and in the end, it’s just you and a person that may or may not know what they are talking about walking around the city on a defacto private “tour”, meaning you need to tip them way more than you would on a regular free tour, all the while wanting the whole thing to be over.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, these were desperate times. I booked not one but two tours on Get my Guide. The first would cover both the old and new Tunis and was starting in an hour. Perfect. I took a Bolt (the Tunisian equivalent of an uber only you pay cash at the end of the ride) to the Medina, which is the old part where you find the spice vendors, windy lanes, all that kind of stuff to await instructions from my guide. It was still early and the shops were just beginning to open giving me a nice opportunity to wander around and explore the area.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrYoiZfk51jigkrOMSj9F9aTO6HSd40j-4-Tygoiqmr_e0s-dPJwx0a_sQ4aiMVlgTbPKYQHzzQgUIiuaowDigd7dBagkmUMOz-YNLwBMkLk9hmHuJE28QPkuVNWAnwA4wwlvXaVJYVT1_qnpc0Mx8MPMf_ydIILJEBzedvgTmbVVx6ewUQgCTmFzzenh/s4032/IMG_4686.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrYoiZfk51jigkrOMSj9F9aTO6HSd40j-4-Tygoiqmr_e0s-dPJwx0a_sQ4aiMVlgTbPKYQHzzQgUIiuaowDigd7dBagkmUMOz-YNLwBMkLk9hmHuJE28QPkuVNWAnwA4wwlvXaVJYVT1_qnpc0Mx8MPMf_ydIILJEBzedvgTmbVVx6ewUQgCTmFzzenh/w640-h480/IMG_4686.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeBYUNTbXSbpHSjJkmLeV7eIH730Uf_Lw9Mq4vX0h_o3F54lNoE_Qr6srOWfL2usELMdwtw010FXed22Z8d_oiINt4ZdSn0X7Lx9h2ywMqBtFC6vH7yShzO2AIac9012K20cjJlHT-lTOf7nwsUhfVKphUFwjdQr9IvKCjA2iUz9loTri2uPpFSbaIG4D/s4032/IMG_4690.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeBYUNTbXSbpHSjJkmLeV7eIH730Uf_Lw9Mq4vX0h_o3F54lNoE_Qr6srOWfL2usELMdwtw010FXed22Z8d_oiINt4ZdSn0X7Lx9h2ywMqBtFC6vH7yShzO2AIac9012K20cjJlHT-lTOf7nwsUhfVKphUFwjdQr9IvKCjA2iUz9loTri2uPpFSbaIG4D/w480-h640/IMG_4690.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RVd69jgaEnrbBVcOYFm1XpoVuhpQqrR8Ax4kOAW4Qgps9rw0zn4_r5gqa_4pQdiLbJGJ4aBKG_1kzDwFpgFGlgYMbfuBxQ-ROc2ykhnFV2m2LR7XPyA8qQRhWYxdrfGNbLHd3jtNNMAnOC_AzKHjs-Yk4BTIzsYkGO0N94Q8boA7Y-GkQ_GojZqXhsa2/s3588/IMG_4693.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3588" data-original-width="2813" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RVd69jgaEnrbBVcOYFm1XpoVuhpQqrR8Ax4kOAW4Qgps9rw0zn4_r5gqa_4pQdiLbJGJ4aBKG_1kzDwFpgFGlgYMbfuBxQ-ROc2ykhnFV2m2LR7XPyA8qQRhWYxdrfGNbLHd3jtNNMAnOC_AzKHjs-Yk4BTIzsYkGO0N94Q8boA7Y-GkQ_GojZqXhsa2/w502-h640/IMG_4693.jpeg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhoI0HxTKyrxfdCIieKWqK1UuJFlLJ52mUGRXVye9zi9kEKQly81MqcvJ08upGs1Qih-ri0CrQK9_xPeMHA2OgI2VqifZDnwVypU7CvXRb-vpq5hfxsZo_jgDKmzyMyuWs91NkrLhjL_xC1nK3TecZxkvliZ6kqH_pI8fWCfYkqtPaw4X9cOlgolPQVbZ/s4032/IMG_4694.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhoI0HxTKyrxfdCIieKWqK1UuJFlLJ52mUGRXVye9zi9kEKQly81MqcvJ08upGs1Qih-ri0CrQK9_xPeMHA2OgI2VqifZDnwVypU7CvXRb-vpq5hfxsZo_jgDKmzyMyuWs91NkrLhjL_xC1nK3TecZxkvliZ6kqH_pI8fWCfYkqtPaw4X9cOlgolPQVbZ/w480-h640/IMG_4694.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually, I checked my phone to see if the guide had replied to my booking, only to be horrified by the realization that my phone, no longer connected to the hostel wifi had no signal. This meant to no guide, no gps, no google translate, no Bolt. Fuckkkkkkkkk!! I did the only thing I could think of and began ctr-alt-dlt'ing for dear life. I shut down the phone, restarted the phone, playing with every setting I could set until the mobile gods took pity and gave unto me 4 bars. And a message from Riyadh, my soon to be guide, with a meeting point. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCK1i96cSAfpaa8wlEUZ6QoTPQZK8k-ZM7b1nha21ZaAIT3L8y5lCySWyjntjMihSu7RKEmEVrfdKZDLskUleKbJzMHkxtqB2kMrpYvaayU4PkyaodnqxtoL5Vk3coMZ4HmjqC-esDBrwAX6lUs1fwYbTVyMB6h-RDzRAk55KG3meaWcBkZydVIs3uVuF/s4032/IMG_4702.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCK1i96cSAfpaa8wlEUZ6QoTPQZK8k-ZM7b1nha21ZaAIT3L8y5lCySWyjntjMihSu7RKEmEVrfdKZDLskUleKbJzMHkxtqB2kMrpYvaayU4PkyaodnqxtoL5Vk3coMZ4HmjqC-esDBrwAX6lUs1fwYbTVyMB6h-RDzRAk55KG3meaWcBkZydVIs3uVuF/w640-h480/IMG_4702.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were to meet at the Clock Tower. Sure enough I was the only person to show up for the tour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Not much surprise there but Riyadh began the tour with a concise but comprehensive history of the city, in perfect English no less, giving me a good dose of cautious optimism.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were in the new part, where the French influence was undeniable. There were wide lanes, ornate buildings, and a barricaded public space in front of the tower, where I assumed some event had recently taken place. It hadn’t. The square was the site of protests in 2010 that kicked off the Arab Spring. It all started when a 26 year old street vendor set himself on fire to protest political corruption. This eventually led to the President stepping down and fleeing the country. Perhaps not wanting a repeat of this, the square has remained closed to the public ever since. Even taking photos of the square is not permitted as I found out from the screaming guards after I snapped this pic.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4DBxDrN4XASov9GMBLSqhx1qZG3cjaj5Bbboo8Khij5Ln7pPDMWlXtuzhCQwVpyeA7tm6w4bYvoRSnMv7YQKMT_HP4IPQ5Ks0x1-QK8-h9NpzG3tZitM2EEnU0cmra3S6Z9uykgNOuJLUFi5GzV-AFOqR4qKPvj0Wfuxt_UZ9rg1mG92DG0e7u3VXtLv/s4032/IMG_4709.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4DBxDrN4XASov9GMBLSqhx1qZG3cjaj5Bbboo8Khij5Ln7pPDMWlXtuzhCQwVpyeA7tm6w4bYvoRSnMv7YQKMT_HP4IPQ5Ks0x1-QK8-h9NpzG3tZitM2EEnU0cmra3S6Z9uykgNOuJLUFi5GzV-AFOqR4qKPvj0Wfuxt_UZ9rg1mG92DG0e7u3VXtLv/w480-h640/IMG_4709.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23spP-Wz3dp4nzFQJ4-zw8pUDnTFJB8OkR1h90uvBQB7vVEPi-92TZ9p_d486pvPPr19hjCOdDYxbhQQ1supHZscMHIBo7W3MaFOhzTtkPhPBYkjdiKwSsLjFeEfsvMz-X6en05lQmHpVL-hZRXspjpp0GvftHUd7_lwOtFMtUsWbTHM_LGGqZ52nV1Vv/s4032/IMG_4705.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23spP-Wz3dp4nzFQJ4-zw8pUDnTFJB8OkR1h90uvBQB7vVEPi-92TZ9p_d486pvPPr19hjCOdDYxbhQQ1supHZscMHIBo7W3MaFOhzTtkPhPBYkjdiKwSsLjFeEfsvMz-X6en05lQmHpVL-hZRXspjpp0GvftHUd7_lwOtFMtUsWbTHM_LGGqZ52nV1Vv/w480-h640/IMG_4705.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSDRMCcZMMwY2fu_Bho18z6LnsLE6-ccZPQLr_7HPXLwuDDrr2xCN6rtP8HaVRH-aTeG8Tv1g-Ac4xiEwiXlVfgXjcoGaSv0Dh_KYPDFVzHSQrFdfw5TQbPMD-iMdxQyNx9uUTgQyXJGJIw0eWhruovyLduLqecHAw6so4LXLQ0AzO7G3ZEKJ_OkCDzbM/s4032/584A3379-90E8-4020-B502-B3EA8C269A66.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSDRMCcZMMwY2fu_Bho18z6LnsLE6-ccZPQLr_7HPXLwuDDrr2xCN6rtP8HaVRH-aTeG8Tv1g-Ac4xiEwiXlVfgXjcoGaSv0Dh_KYPDFVzHSQrFdfw5TQbPMD-iMdxQyNx9uUTgQyXJGJIw0eWhruovyLduLqecHAw6so4LXLQ0AzO7G3ZEKJ_OkCDzbM/w640-h480/584A3379-90E8-4020-B502-B3EA8C269A66.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tunisia is primarily a Muslim country and I had hoped to visit the Al-Zaytuna mosque but the opening hours never did seem to match up with my schedule. I did however get a chance to visit the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Saint_Vincent_de_Paul">Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul</a>, a Catholic church dating back to 1897.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrnCB6IWeMNi72bP8vatTUAPwRf6fDqreF9zgF-sFWqx7SFNy33cjAqGYga2SgN01a4FekSmHeJ0o8ZJp8ARLie-ErTjj7JKaAEVI6m7gi2H04VN0YoorbfK4joySHdRWk2QhqiDELHDT_zBM15Ex7BKMnqEeb4inkD_XV3foz-0FpLp-bfkSt3cdjjBX/s3407/AA63E0E9-2BF3-47D2-9FD6-0EE5EA6E2E43_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3407" data-original-width="2593" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrnCB6IWeMNi72bP8vatTUAPwRf6fDqreF9zgF-sFWqx7SFNy33cjAqGYga2SgN01a4FekSmHeJ0o8ZJp8ARLie-ErTjj7JKaAEVI6m7gi2H04VN0YoorbfK4joySHdRWk2QhqiDELHDT_zBM15Ex7BKMnqEeb4inkD_XV3foz-0FpLp-bfkSt3cdjjBX/w488-h640/AA63E0E9-2BF3-47D2-9FD6-0EE5EA6E2E43_1_201_a.heic" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrItM7aIauBTWf3efJTdbQ7ApuAih6QjfT6izVHNNUvzUz8whJvBKv-_yCg7WySK1yqMtOt7UhhKGtQJS4Jevgi1Kpc20C6IrIC8T3elLKAfuPw0fKdSqopQWYoNru4vxmbBUMl5CgKkgecFAR85mMKy1nm4O68iv5MIgUeEnLERlWiQSc41bh1wqFWKFu/s4032/79B066C1-659A-47C7-BEE2-2A5206698264.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrItM7aIauBTWf3efJTdbQ7ApuAih6QjfT6izVHNNUvzUz8whJvBKv-_yCg7WySK1yqMtOt7UhhKGtQJS4Jevgi1Kpc20C6IrIC8T3elLKAfuPw0fKdSqopQWYoNru4vxmbBUMl5CgKkgecFAR85mMKy1nm4O68iv5MIgUeEnLERlWiQSc41bh1wqFWKFu/w480-h640/79B066C1-659A-47C7-BEE2-2A5206698264.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was followed by the obligatory stop at the I ❤️ sign. I wonder if anyone has compiled a book of pics of nothing but I heart pics. Rare is the city these days without one of these signs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VuXKo2FQRWvC3GMNlLOhk-w3T0qQlqNzgnls3PFXff68iI8ONBv4Zjyq_Sxh-CG8HWFknAcLY0PINq5GRX1N1RG3WJs0qNNghXDjZjiHgsA-Pdtx4WiB4Avb8tfQM_KlF6IEZgfXVtHoW0XI_bB2iqNNh3kHHJGB3PGXquDDZwaPP9zUeJ6k4-3lJSZZ/s4032/IMG_4722.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VuXKo2FQRWvC3GMNlLOhk-w3T0qQlqNzgnls3PFXff68iI8ONBv4Zjyq_Sxh-CG8HWFknAcLY0PINq5GRX1N1RG3WJs0qNNghXDjZjiHgsA-Pdtx4WiB4Avb8tfQM_KlF6IEZgfXVtHoW0XI_bB2iqNNh3kHHJGB3PGXquDDZwaPP9zUeJ6k4-3lJSZZ/w640-h480/IMG_4722.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were soon back at the Medina, perusing all kinds of fruits and veggies at the Municipal Market. I personally could have pulled up a seat in front of the many piles of olives and gone to town. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir6_dmlTNqC4s07JLtpglrlStwO8UtYIfLwOhAEt1ed1tWsU3ZOnJDicdE-G62ekLApTxzbr6ya8MTVVsVKFSp5h6A12MtwMsO_oF8XAcbj_gnJSL3cthpXsWXPVal87SRJrgcgstiIrP_tmzNxshCHa4-CHw1jIjQT6ir_mfqkBOSWThMvGm_BoXfXtA/s4032/IMG_4726.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiir6_dmlTNqC4s07JLtpglrlStwO8UtYIfLwOhAEt1ed1tWsU3ZOnJDicdE-G62ekLApTxzbr6ya8MTVVsVKFSp5h6A12MtwMsO_oF8XAcbj_gnJSL3cthpXsWXPVal87SRJrgcgstiIrP_tmzNxshCHa4-CHw1jIjQT6ir_mfqkBOSWThMvGm_BoXfXtA/w480-h640/IMG_4726.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzWeLkwq7Xyw18lThCIovmU0Mzxknx6iqgL4q9mO97iIUD9XY6vN38wt_SjndebZaE8fuLZ36lkTlPBWQLdstYFmPspQ2KS_IqWUSXMzRoXoEqO-dV39cVB93CaGRgxkOCXv6l8m14q1UBG0exAE1UPQn-e2MGdVBVOSWnhm94cGeDD4wyKyviUghvsYo/s4032/IMG_4728.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzWeLkwq7Xyw18lThCIovmU0Mzxknx6iqgL4q9mO97iIUD9XY6vN38wt_SjndebZaE8fuLZ36lkTlPBWQLdstYFmPspQ2KS_IqWUSXMzRoXoEqO-dV39cVB93CaGRgxkOCXv6l8m14q1UBG0exAE1UPQn-e2MGdVBVOSWnhm94cGeDD4wyKyviUghvsYo/w480-h640/IMG_4728.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mqarcsB7JHZMHz6tF7tIbWwtbMlkVWLOHh6_79T5zFESieEWts3zq1YKN9ODyJfnasD6kly_nEo8y0mE_AZSfOLUvifUCsSp2LzmUlrUKLsB8kEWhOr6HtTwzRRG-7cYAh6ztiVE-nNZ8GYW6-IO6I5z3eCSEiAgC3Rkv6HRmbRh16a0euDanAwprMts/s4032/IMG_4730.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mqarcsB7JHZMHz6tF7tIbWwtbMlkVWLOHh6_79T5zFESieEWts3zq1YKN9ODyJfnasD6kly_nEo8y0mE_AZSfOLUvifUCsSp2LzmUlrUKLsB8kEWhOr6HtTwzRRG-7cYAh6ztiVE-nNZ8GYW6-IO6I5z3eCSEiAgC3Rkv6HRmbRh16a0euDanAwprMts/w640-h480/IMG_4730.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_KzZXf1jduDep5kUI5dLjkU_t8XkfIAqIBYYH3fdGtDH3UVDqpsZnNDBtap1f0VlUbaWUHOnK1cOs2-WGpzdPF4rbyZonC2WlV17rDMhVGd7OBxaARxc9GqbDQ5_H_PgtZI2X0YDcZWJC_SPksNtDKIVSE5dtomvqOJGzBs9eJQyGIvb6uXPfINrKrLg/s4032/IMG_4731.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_KzZXf1jduDep5kUI5dLjkU_t8XkfIAqIBYYH3fdGtDH3UVDqpsZnNDBtap1f0VlUbaWUHOnK1cOs2-WGpzdPF4rbyZonC2WlV17rDMhVGd7OBxaARxc9GqbDQ5_H_PgtZI2X0YDcZWJC_SPksNtDKIVSE5dtomvqOJGzBs9eJQyGIvb6uXPfINrKrLg/w480-h640/IMG_4731.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Instead, we went to a cafe with a rooftop overlooking the old town. Sadly, they did not have big piles of olives on the menu so I opted for an ice cream in a vain effort to cool my body temperature. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDN5kZFXjkKRvb04C9-M8QGEe9QXw5cSadLQrGawrZehEr5a-WTRPSoTf_klTQ6rBw69NaL4iqi92Ojx39DD59kxZ1MgXeVV_KWfQcDNGK0FjVUreJRqd-CxpbizGy9WMoGBpLquE6s-o-Odb_ktIRnTfw0ZocN_UD2JGkpqtBD4MMePSBR45D3g_7_o7/s4032/IMG_4744.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDN5kZFXjkKRvb04C9-M8QGEe9QXw5cSadLQrGawrZehEr5a-WTRPSoTf_klTQ6rBw69NaL4iqi92Ojx39DD59kxZ1MgXeVV_KWfQcDNGK0FjVUreJRqd-CxpbizGy9WMoGBpLquE6s-o-Odb_ktIRnTfw0ZocN_UD2JGkpqtBD4MMePSBR45D3g_7_o7/w480-h640/IMG_4744.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LzCESMlYuVT1-YPEJmA3GiIaCMSS1GduPGabZ8rL8XzhUWv-YWWk-Q6ZdP6Dot_Y-LB-1_pjOuc-tUwTNDQCdUeJGMgN8Cy0NGon8l2J384vsW_m1CT00dRDHuw1DPXCKFC1ePm2OkWZS8BpYElztfrni1NOqrndMPTYZvg5iauoSAHqQrgBMhxibYj/s3116/IMG_4758.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3116" data-original-width="2028" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LzCESMlYuVT1-YPEJmA3GiIaCMSS1GduPGabZ8rL8XzhUWv-YWWk-Q6ZdP6Dot_Y-LB-1_pjOuc-tUwTNDQCdUeJGMgN8Cy0NGon8l2J384vsW_m1CT00dRDHuw1DPXCKFC1ePm2OkWZS8BpYElztfrni1NOqrndMPTYZvg5iauoSAHqQrgBMhxibYj/w416-h640/IMG_4758.jpeg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div>You see the temperature on this...and every day...that I was in Tunis was that of the surface of the sun. It was an unrelenting heat that sapped your energy and caused you to buy hats the size of cafe umbrellas. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBKNe1dstwDHW0ahHKo0GwFzgze3InJsx8ZPXinFOR4DSdX3VeUgOWWeKvC9Sc9WvWgIEBXPSCiKpEyrY6_aI_9cZ-F5Tp2cav8juBvIxtPmHabyPgnSEUe7faMrVLyPfqzvdIGDriSfL13wGautdOGy0lkk2fJ0dUbRbDsL3rsrsXRKThAuXGN1Rm-sq/s2532/IMG_4773.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBKNe1dstwDHW0ahHKo0GwFzgze3InJsx8ZPXinFOR4DSdX3VeUgOWWeKvC9Sc9WvWgIEBXPSCiKpEyrY6_aI_9cZ-F5Tp2cav8juBvIxtPmHabyPgnSEUe7faMrVLyPfqzvdIGDriSfL13wGautdOGy0lkk2fJ0dUbRbDsL3rsrsXRKThAuXGN1Rm-sq/w296-h640/IMG_4773.png" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieHT48N7LkqDqeo8NArMvHKAFB87R3knqINR4CgfK19jBZVOlcWkDqm1s53wfbg7L7FeuGVfKuAYp1GIfHuxP3arhDf_tWoy2qwQQuIQKiML16qSP6RipGXbCECwRY6pyc55fN_TPzr4qvRBRCmuJad5kBqB01KzWMdVd3tJLO2EA9_TdmhzAeLG-944y/s4032/IMG_4775.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieHT48N7LkqDqeo8NArMvHKAFB87R3knqINR4CgfK19jBZVOlcWkDqm1s53wfbg7L7FeuGVfKuAYp1GIfHuxP3arhDf_tWoy2qwQQuIQKiML16qSP6RipGXbCECwRY6pyc55fN_TPzr4qvRBRCmuJad5kBqB01KzWMdVd3tJLO2EA9_TdmhzAeLG-944y/w480-h640/IMG_4775.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mind you, I frequently tell people I am part iguana. My home thermostat does not know there is a setting lower than 75 degrees. The first thing I do upon entering a hotel room is make a mad dash to turn off the a/c. Nothing would make me happier than my own little heat rock. I like the heat. But everything has its limits. This was too much.</div><div><br /></div><div>We resumed our tour with a visit to <a href="https://www.tunisiatourism.info/en/articles/tourbet-el-bey-tombeau-des-beys-de-tunis">Tourbet El Bey</a>, the resting place of prominent members of the Husainid dynasty. The pashas and princesses are buried in separate chambers, eight in all. It was all very ornate, stately and hot. It turns a/c was not a standard feature for mausoleums built in 1770. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcZtsmVdvAxoK8f3AJ9j76bqI8Xe9c5RKFJQy1jr-kFapujBz3h38vfUizPdtAUv43lSBH52yh16d3NlEFe6Ufx1HvH1BBMm2gnlAsjSXfG13MXZCuFobQl7CtfaasjJr_gHyEjxUIr5dvCuTB3Xcx0aBILAqc1C02JkFiJUjdGo6VYcl6qPzSsIkSZtg/s4032/IMG_4780.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcZtsmVdvAxoK8f3AJ9j76bqI8Xe9c5RKFJQy1jr-kFapujBz3h38vfUizPdtAUv43lSBH52yh16d3NlEFe6Ufx1HvH1BBMm2gnlAsjSXfG13MXZCuFobQl7CtfaasjJr_gHyEjxUIr5dvCuTB3Xcx0aBILAqc1C02JkFiJUjdGo6VYcl6qPzSsIkSZtg/w480-h640/IMG_4780.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW1gym_bVzpBui8dV14iZIlyiX_EVWVeU-7-V_r1Z1fIntCLubGcxWKuhJj5vTyfCFmVt7Ygxp3DDBkQlpVzy93PichQ99v9MlZQKR_OS8kPkmsToOaxeFtYT8UGYah7mdhABtZV_LLwgz3xk8m2dWRPZXIysdPn2aDTXWWqxo22NzAQhyaq2m4D0h_wt/s4032/IMG_4782.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW1gym_bVzpBui8dV14iZIlyiX_EVWVeU-7-V_r1Z1fIntCLubGcxWKuhJj5vTyfCFmVt7Ygxp3DDBkQlpVzy93PichQ99v9MlZQKR_OS8kPkmsToOaxeFtYT8UGYah7mdhABtZV_LLwgz3xk8m2dWRPZXIysdPn2aDTXWWqxo22NzAQhyaq2m4D0h_wt/w480-h640/IMG_4782.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>With our tour concluded, I suggested we tackle this heat problem head on with a couple of cold beers. The problem was it was the Muslim new year so most bars were closed. One hotel bar we entered would only serve tourists so although I could get a beer, Riyadh could not. Can you imagine that shit?? You are in your hometown and some big-hatted tourist somehow has more freedom than you do?? Madness. I told the waitress as much and we continued until we found a more reasonable establishment. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBZE7vSosJsGYYv_3TuGTFgvBnBHfoKPTrquLlvujaYrMV2kAtBCEVkx3fh_KrHwGLKOSUvf09P7RWNN_CcrGLyCFuuegFrMbJJiEZOMVQh4czE5_305Mt5Q9LY9ehGzbN3wcsz7i30i0zIbooM-0ocwrJI6MOohZ8Y20kMDwjIR8efNG8G7JxlhM-V6F/s4032/IMG_4790.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBZE7vSosJsGYYv_3TuGTFgvBnBHfoKPTrquLlvujaYrMV2kAtBCEVkx3fh_KrHwGLKOSUvf09P7RWNN_CcrGLyCFuuegFrMbJJiEZOMVQh4czE5_305Mt5Q9LY9ehGzbN3wcsz7i30i0zIbooM-0ocwrJI6MOohZ8Y20kMDwjIR8efNG8G7JxlhM-V6F/w480-h640/IMG_4790.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Despite my initial misgivings, Riyadh turned out to be both a great guide and a pleasure to hang out with, which is a good thing because my tour the following day was also with him. It was still early in the day and we were cooled off and emboldened by the beers so we decided to continue with a portion of the next day's tour. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was given two options. We could take a 30 minute Bolt ride to Sidi Bou Said or we could take a local bus to La Marsa and then walk 40 minutes to Sidi Bou Said. There was only one correct response, we were doing this local-style. Riadh pointed out that the bus wouldn't have a/c. Neither does my car at home, I countered. "Did you hear me when I said it is a 40 minute walk from one town to the next?" asked Riyadh. I boasted about doing the 34 mile Great Saunter in New York. Twice. He relented and we were soon on an overcrowded jitney. I was hoping for tinny blaring Arabic music to really add that extra sauce to the ride but had to settle for reckless driving and random cursing. It actually was quite fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The walk was a different story. I failed to take into account that the Saunter is conducted in springtime on the very flat island of Manhattan. This was uphill and 112 degrees. No shade whatsoever. I finished my 3rd bottle of water of the day but was overheating like an rusty radiator. Twenty-five minutes in, I was already at "Are we there yet?". We took a break on a beach where I perched myself on a shady tree and refused to come down. Was this my karma for all the people I have dragged on my long walks?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaDx58ziPaP67kmhcxRsQdzpazWFgZGkPoRZkbHftmkowxw7bC4bjhhfKJ_9SJVh0iuoSqkXZLNcOY8VkWv9eO2zKRfm0vloE2Qf4kQZfmKh4szJQbybV0x61IBAM-pSgqmDjaVexsDpBy6RRh4m8RJSQ1TXNU41VjjDYkkcO3Az5YDkE_xzO8zlUNWM8/s4032/IMG_4794.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaDx58ziPaP67kmhcxRsQdzpazWFgZGkPoRZkbHftmkowxw7bC4bjhhfKJ_9SJVh0iuoSqkXZLNcOY8VkWv9eO2zKRfm0vloE2Qf4kQZfmKh4szJQbybV0x61IBAM-pSgqmDjaVexsDpBy6RRh4m8RJSQ1TXNU41VjjDYkkcO3Az5YDkE_xzO8zlUNWM8/w480-h640/IMG_4794.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFoigHDntLHk4m1YgwCrlBtKRkj-U4mSNzuSFxxhdNDhJn9jFghvuaG_CYKDafFJfXuwb9aV-ta9TdVNK4zNSKehFiH5RyixIMi2lbV55nzbBKXq7vu-OSlNQoOcYUsUA9G7gD1me4F4rPjYQPKmeQBjWIjytxx2s2QY5jVsxhw0h6oRa8yJNdyIuPfqO/s4032/IMG_4796.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFoigHDntLHk4m1YgwCrlBtKRkj-U4mSNzuSFxxhdNDhJn9jFghvuaG_CYKDafFJfXuwb9aV-ta9TdVNK4zNSKehFiH5RyixIMi2lbV55nzbBKXq7vu-OSlNQoOcYUsUA9G7gD1me4F4rPjYQPKmeQBjWIjytxx2s2QY5jVsxhw0h6oRa8yJNdyIuPfqO/w640-h480/IMG_4796.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Eventually, I had no choice but to come down and resume the walk. My remaining bottle of water was now the temperature of soup, the incline was somehow steeper and my mind wandered to possible symptoms of a heat stroke. With only 15 minutes to go, I relented and grabbed the first cab to come into view. It was at this point think I may have seen Riyadh giggling.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sidi Bou Said is best known as Tunisia's answer to Santorini, due to Rodolphe d'Erlanger's decision in the 1920's to make blue and white the beachside town's primary colors. The combination of cobblestone streets, cliffside views of the Mediterranean and its photogenic color scheme have made it a major tourist draw, as evidenced by many many souvenir shops.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnSn0H-prlLkBHNjd7ztDep1qC0IwtSuiLmVJ2dfp6XnywkfftPTSgPYH8Lske51rIPJSTIFmDO4fCtRT0qp2rmhwxTBqTg-FNSlAyYPCJ5-RJBheRalfUiK0BkFEAnFyinynv0Hl-I6Ml3qsLVD9HR-odoUNVZRKkt08SBG8uKEhzuBlgK5aXgXuqH5v/s3380/IMG_4806.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="3380" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnSn0H-prlLkBHNjd7ztDep1qC0IwtSuiLmVJ2dfp6XnywkfftPTSgPYH8Lske51rIPJSTIFmDO4fCtRT0qp2rmhwxTBqTg-FNSlAyYPCJ5-RJBheRalfUiK0BkFEAnFyinynv0Hl-I6Ml3qsLVD9HR-odoUNVZRKkt08SBG8uKEhzuBlgK5aXgXuqH5v/w640-h480/IMG_4806.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cdeND2SopC4TAMQm8jfS_osr1dG18PKcA0O9ee0NbMbyni0fX1LkA4XhcJAydgW5daONPt1AsuAHBOt3zYFSFkyP3toJSccw1DG-C5p2MUef2qGt6-zDQc_CKB0Ym4-QWuJDAYoWDFo6jNyTdKiimiGBxa0IoxOMijxuCRmpcCB3cIpdFgcAUjHx-1TU/s4032/IMG_5057.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cdeND2SopC4TAMQm8jfS_osr1dG18PKcA0O9ee0NbMbyni0fX1LkA4XhcJAydgW5daONPt1AsuAHBOt3zYFSFkyP3toJSccw1DG-C5p2MUef2qGt6-zDQc_CKB0Ym4-QWuJDAYoWDFo6jNyTdKiimiGBxa0IoxOMijxuCRmpcCB3cIpdFgcAUjHx-1TU/w480-h640/IMG_5057.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEn-e0K76MFk7XmCcEH2EwfimgsinuFDGfm_Cs-ZTNQsyZNNbJUtXHNeeS-mO73wPtXaRnKCqAUoWOil6d6o9oqcfT1m05oHub4WckUzrXfMnkb1koOMFPhHDRPy9vwQPlJL5RLi3XKz_sYmwn5oTE4VOR4HiwSEPRPeSEq-YC7g-X13k2ko6Jbp6nabY/s4032/IMG_5041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEn-e0K76MFk7XmCcEH2EwfimgsinuFDGfm_Cs-ZTNQsyZNNbJUtXHNeeS-mO73wPtXaRnKCqAUoWOil6d6o9oqcfT1m05oHub4WckUzrXfMnkb1koOMFPhHDRPy9vwQPlJL5RLi3XKz_sYmwn5oTE4VOR4HiwSEPRPeSEq-YC7g-X13k2ko6Jbp6nabY/w640-h480/IMG_5041.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlL-_v-QMef91syR6BdtuL9MW76atbXBG4iqwLMqwp-CXpTWPd3zMJsxeu_1MDSWVQKRqxN48_GZH8VDpGU_MCHUhrBLJHr399kbmkV-gQd6cqZEem3VYL_IZ6nMba-9hcFmWsFDXBYAkMpevs8MmgzdGzNLKpxSA7xfzvaDICCiM0GZfO8Cy0Vugcksu/s4032/IMG_4827.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlL-_v-QMef91syR6BdtuL9MW76atbXBG4iqwLMqwp-CXpTWPd3zMJsxeu_1MDSWVQKRqxN48_GZH8VDpGU_MCHUhrBLJHr399kbmkV-gQd6cqZEem3VYL_IZ6nMba-9hcFmWsFDXBYAkMpevs8MmgzdGzNLKpxSA7xfzvaDICCiM0GZfO8Cy0Vugcksu/w480-h640/IMG_4827.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In the past, the area attracted wealthy Tunisians as well as artists such as Paul Klee and Henri Matisse. One of those past residents, Taib El Annabi- son of Mufti Mohammed Annabi- built a gorgeous home back in the 18th century. Today, that home is the Museum Dar El Annabi, showing what life was like in those days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eXr4yJiyu_Vs3JY696IOl6drDc2a9BrM6FyXTgveg-qvua9lAfHtUS9VKJMZLl7vNLgT__pip61YXc83X__P09uHtz6qMk5OHQ3w0Nc_FgGpzPpMP1pTJPIgpzZhRyvIIww_D-zEXJTYNWeGn_jTuYie7vptyYSJvGvsQyq78ZQOskmTonyzouII5V97/s4032/IMG_4809.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eXr4yJiyu_Vs3JY696IOl6drDc2a9BrM6FyXTgveg-qvua9lAfHtUS9VKJMZLl7vNLgT__pip61YXc83X__P09uHtz6qMk5OHQ3w0Nc_FgGpzPpMP1pTJPIgpzZhRyvIIww_D-zEXJTYNWeGn_jTuYie7vptyYSJvGvsQyq78ZQOskmTonyzouII5V97/w640-h480/IMG_4809.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzgEaQjRLCIWWym_fT7NKBno4M6GPmzf8PPwUgdpoZWF9axBQ3KS7LWhIvcM_ImxwQgw9M0VGpt90tGt34Lh4fuKgBryNSu4lgytNs_eXdtWTsZRE5w-i3HM1e4Ap-GyMkMTDjd35MFk9gc93fLaUv0sAvQ9bHnikBbu-CpsQyjzVzhp0bHOkqDuGaBwz/s4032/IMG_4813.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzgEaQjRLCIWWym_fT7NKBno4M6GPmzf8PPwUgdpoZWF9axBQ3KS7LWhIvcM_ImxwQgw9M0VGpt90tGt34Lh4fuKgBryNSu4lgytNs_eXdtWTsZRE5w-i3HM1e4Ap-GyMkMTDjd35MFk9gc93fLaUv0sAvQ9bHnikBbu-CpsQyjzVzhp0bHOkqDuGaBwz/w640-h480/IMG_4813.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As lovely as the museum was, the undisputed highlight of SBS is simply walking around the town exploring all the little alleyways. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69iDzYd_5UNmaF6sHRA8WOB83i4Oxw9ohv0wxKRIu1YEDnT6GZIUtNzRr8FFFNQZgqE7xsNqm6505-ORwjpV2gU0S9DvqcKmh0Hi06fWk134IRj5Kwxcuanu00Z56CiC-euqcNUHkk0wlfsnCFyf9KeD16Vr7vVfea-OYeA0RzVcba5NM9STufcVmFcI/s4032/IMG_4822.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69iDzYd_5UNmaF6sHRA8WOB83i4Oxw9ohv0wxKRIu1YEDnT6GZIUtNzRr8FFFNQZgqE7xsNqm6505-ORwjpV2gU0S9DvqcKmh0Hi06fWk134IRj5Kwxcuanu00Z56CiC-euqcNUHkk0wlfsnCFyf9KeD16Vr7vVfea-OYeA0RzVcba5NM9STufcVmFcI/w480-h640/IMG_4822.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMH4X2GciMyCzOefURfabq48O--ULDwElKExIhO2zynZ31nP336Fj6AnmwsfO1K61_nO4WeAX17natZR0J9CeHz8Bf6qjsywF4RSzZgGmDQUmoJ1ooiTEox3HqDg0i3Yw6Hi-cT4AiLOVO5xAZgtg3wbhb-ZManJrUJKWnUqvSSAdp8ebMpWp-6cXU_pA/s4032/IMG_4830.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMH4X2GciMyCzOefURfabq48O--ULDwElKExIhO2zynZ31nP336Fj6AnmwsfO1K61_nO4WeAX17natZR0J9CeHz8Bf6qjsywF4RSzZgGmDQUmoJ1ooiTEox3HqDg0i3Yw6Hi-cT4AiLOVO5xAZgtg3wbhb-ZManJrUJKWnUqvSSAdp8ebMpWp-6cXU_pA/w640-h480/IMG_4830.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RbZqNMYn8kAQJr4Y-6cxmLp6bLQvSB63oktF-nyGJQ5hsip2pCwRSi_eiy8g8WTHQaOyWn8Hnc71zDbyjlbbPeMsbppx3VqersE1gPyNRpj9cuDWOpxwAZY4SeWDcAKhoWqWNnaDiLic9crNW-1DJBnF-dkLOztXg5YHqtnofHmuWwPNbAkHygQPr6Yr/s4032/IMG_4833.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RbZqNMYn8kAQJr4Y-6cxmLp6bLQvSB63oktF-nyGJQ5hsip2pCwRSi_eiy8g8WTHQaOyWn8Hnc71zDbyjlbbPeMsbppx3VqersE1gPyNRpj9cuDWOpxwAZY4SeWDcAKhoWqWNnaDiLic9crNW-1DJBnF-dkLOztXg5YHqtnofHmuWwPNbAkHygQPr6Yr/w480-h640/IMG_4833.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not sure if it was because of the Muslim New Year or the fact that the city was a once a Muslim pilgrimage site named after Sufi saint, Abou Said Ibn Kahlef, but my difficulties getting a cold beer continued. I went to Instagram favorite Cafe des Delices to enjoy a drink with a view. Would you believe these fuckers brought me a 0% beer and tried to pass it off as the real thing?! The sheer audacity! Sir, you clearly don't know who you are dealing with here. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBfTIuUdhvffO95OjvEdBJWrthMCqu0HZLu9AWGk-Ok9ffxVP8uuIupOpOyd-Kwb87rubi-AksA599s2MDFEN_xDl83YPvFuhaoWeTTE0z2_A1ULvAeGjXhVv5rIb91hYGSQMzQ2zbKGsgEssNjL6jrc-oHIio2vATMwMLhWlIfqijT0XsMwP1Lb51gDg/s4032/IMG_4843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBfTIuUdhvffO95OjvEdBJWrthMCqu0HZLu9AWGk-Ok9ffxVP8uuIupOpOyd-Kwb87rubi-AksA599s2MDFEN_xDl83YPvFuhaoWeTTE0z2_A1ULvAeGjXhVv5rIb91hYGSQMzQ2zbKGsgEssNjL6jrc-oHIio2vATMwMLhWlIfqijT0XsMwP1Lb51gDg/w640-h480/IMG_4843.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As part of the following day's tour, we returned to SBS to go to the one spot we had run out of time for, the <a href="http://www.cmam.tn/content/en/5/The-palace.html">Palais Ennejma Ezzahra</a>. It was once the home of French artist, Rodolphe d'Erlanger, the same dude who decided the town should be blue and white. Now it is a museum displaying both his work and all kinds of musical instruments, although the star is undeniably the home itself. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6LKv8KKYCsqHMd7Z3gd_e26QNs-d0BDwPSt5Lp9q7juq07utO8_mCTJoiWWtb_khYSfQqqoKNUBm9Zm_9LzOBpAPpLPVC6C4R7B30awmYAbPFOA25aPygqzkvVtxxid30bWALA0nxAWwDtNl-sHx7F_7Zrh_xAbBJ4AlhnAmFw_bKRoJWesZ7-mk0xGz/s4032/IMG_5039.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6LKv8KKYCsqHMd7Z3gd_e26QNs-d0BDwPSt5Lp9q7juq07utO8_mCTJoiWWtb_khYSfQqqoKNUBm9Zm_9LzOBpAPpLPVC6C4R7B30awmYAbPFOA25aPygqzkvVtxxid30bWALA0nxAWwDtNl-sHx7F_7Zrh_xAbBJ4AlhnAmFw_bKRoJWesZ7-mk0xGz/w640-h480/IMG_5039.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa_0byuBBlTN7Srj6iCztMUJ8hI1CP_PruCPDBo00dMQ4TgwOerrZFvOou1Cm0FeGzxFQA2HdjHa4ypW8nxockt6XH0k35wChWjwJuGbMM221tQxLqWxo-h6_acPIESOppSQjZuY1rRlolmOHdiUtpDWO3brlxQWvuOznaK5U2K35rHcq_ZiVCnwT0yXO/s4032/IMG_5047.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa_0byuBBlTN7Srj6iCztMUJ8hI1CP_PruCPDBo00dMQ4TgwOerrZFvOou1Cm0FeGzxFQA2HdjHa4ypW8nxockt6XH0k35wChWjwJuGbMM221tQxLqWxo-h6_acPIESOppSQjZuY1rRlolmOHdiUtpDWO3brlxQWvuOznaK5U2K35rHcq_ZiVCnwT0yXO/w640-h480/IMG_5047.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k8-1udnOSLamTSvlSWeuHS9LTPwuWrAIx_ALNTGsB6gEIFga7rF5tWrBmjKHRxcTSoAoKb9zhqViPHEAiYBs-n3JLDSza5RMyHBehCIIVA-OGqoZV-5B_hivTi5fuDUb6JXTyS2Mk8hghHkYQY1w59j-BOfB6-IolCcBSgGfVvxO9RB3pAFMaqdJnxrU/s4032/IMG_5049.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k8-1udnOSLamTSvlSWeuHS9LTPwuWrAIx_ALNTGsB6gEIFga7rF5tWrBmjKHRxcTSoAoKb9zhqViPHEAiYBs-n3JLDSza5RMyHBehCIIVA-OGqoZV-5B_hivTi5fuDUb6JXTyS2Mk8hghHkYQY1w59j-BOfB6-IolCcBSgGfVvxO9RB3pAFMaqdJnxrU/w480-h640/IMG_5049.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A0XdpUmvpyHstH9qEEeM0gjODM7c7heoNPDbD6VbPR1c0bnNSbKAHEuB0ZYNzWTd4RPULNn2gZN2O4fcnvD7giB2VfM4EUQ_wIyOig_ALH2igFwkO76-osi9IL1nTMhJHJ3JrbXyWsTF7-FeOMsdu2wxGTtU6-kHapUucimln6mfK-e4uNf_NtQIG5ml/s4032/IMG_5053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A0XdpUmvpyHstH9qEEeM0gjODM7c7heoNPDbD6VbPR1c0bnNSbKAHEuB0ZYNzWTd4RPULNn2gZN2O4fcnvD7giB2VfM4EUQ_wIyOig_ALH2igFwkO76-osi9IL1nTMhJHJ3JrbXyWsTF7-FeOMsdu2wxGTtU6-kHapUucimln6mfK-e4uNf_NtQIG5ml/w480-h640/IMG_5053.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From not having a plan, a guide or even a working phone to enjoying a full sweaty day of fun, it was quite an intro to Tunisia. The next couple of days, a little of which I have previewed here, promised even more adventure. An adventure during which I would never again brag about doing the Great Saunter. Twice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-11962100166723137592023-06-27T16:26:00.010-05:002023-09-05T04:34:41.785-05:00Brasilia: Touristing in a non-touristic town<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hReMYEjfRp4fJtUVphR73TMw50GAXmZ2JkzTWbc_G646MF5p19VeyUwVIMB-L68-ycYXMuNqjugUyshgvfPzmIxxaJTDDEQogzqV9gw8IORF2oNMc8SOh-3Mdq_HjngHdoqhCMzZ8z3cnBgU3GD95eB9QlhGU0X3LqXzfZIIv5m4TEQmjQRF-pGMrA/s4032/IMG_4036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hReMYEjfRp4fJtUVphR73TMw50GAXmZ2JkzTWbc_G646MF5p19VeyUwVIMB-L68-ycYXMuNqjugUyshgvfPzmIxxaJTDDEQogzqV9gw8IORF2oNMc8SOh-3Mdq_HjngHdoqhCMzZ8z3cnBgU3GD95eB9QlhGU0X3LqXzfZIIv5m4TEQmjQRF-pGMrA/w640-h480/IMG_4036.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever I visit a new place, there are a couple of things that I normally look for, in order to best get my bearings. At the top of that list is the free walking tour. I love following a local around as they explain what it is that makes this particular place special. Add to that, being able to ask for recommendations after the tour, you've got yourself a full day right there. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this case, I was not exactly in a new place. I had been to Brasilia once-18 years ago- but now there were 7 of us looking to explore and my foggy memories were not going to cut it. We needed a professional. I looked high and low but there were no walking tours, free or otherwise. There are always free walking tours. What gives? Ok, maybe the city is just really spread out. I looked into the possibility of a hop-on/ hop-off bus. Nope. There is one bus tour but not in the open-ended create your own adventure kind of way, plus it was sold out. It was quickly dawning on me that Brazil's capital city has a surprisingly non-existent tourism infrastructure. Plan C, ask the hotel's front desk if they have can find us a driver, preferably one who speaks English, to show us around. He made a couple of calls and sure enough, he found someone willing to do $120 US for a 2 hr tour (or $17 pp). Great. Until it wasn't. Speaking with the guide via Google Translate, no English there, he sent me pdf's of his brochure and declared that the price was now $350 for the same tour. <i>O que</i>?! Some bilingual negotiations later, he brought his price down to $280, more than double the original price and didn't understand why I was still giving him a firm <i>ñao.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>It was time to implement Plan D. Pick a spot, call a couple of Ubers, go to said spot. I knew from my prior visit, that Brasilia is a planned city built for the express purpose of being the nation's capital. Designed by the Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, it was laid out in the shape of an airplane, with the most significant buildings sitting where a cockpit would be. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDVC25SeyCr5nCBjFmo_ock-VN4y4Aga1Km4z2cHRg2Ld-8L7ixMV7TVUF-lIAqYlhglTFOk5ZGkEPGctq0xRLZdqse6NCmGHLA5W8RF0hrdJCeWVeKk57sQ_qkxEV-3K2AkX6mCrHGCx5Jnlvu9gxRAcJ5Ask9hufmUh9qMgpQE3vbBX_SqctHF54HkQ/s4032/IMG_4169.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDVC25SeyCr5nCBjFmo_ock-VN4y4Aga1Km4z2cHRg2Ld-8L7ixMV7TVUF-lIAqYlhglTFOk5ZGkEPGctq0xRLZdqse6NCmGHLA5W8RF0hrdJCeWVeKk57sQ_qkxEV-3K2AkX6mCrHGCx5Jnlvu9gxRAcJ5Ask9hufmUh9qMgpQE3vbBX_SqctHF54HkQ/w640-h480/IMG_4169.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We were firmly entrenched on the south wing, in the Aguas Clara neighborhood. The price for the 35 minute Uber ride, $8. Our destination was one of Niemeyer's most iconic structures, the Cathedral of Brasilia. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatn6rVDCYi1cscl5iEpXUsR0fCBi6hO_jJGjljfUCCcsmLAbBikZeKW6JhLUwpf2rL95at_Kh9rYVlww8XBkkpwW_lsGTHlP0LlzOsF28AvTgm-lzw5sdSo9uVW3OaNiGUQFFstnFYpl2R07Z98CaRO_PX6Mmt1gOkCyDIuVl3rMxcxwIYo-LFcdsNw/s4032/IMG_4030.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatn6rVDCYi1cscl5iEpXUsR0fCBi6hO_jJGjljfUCCcsmLAbBikZeKW6JhLUwpf2rL95at_Kh9rYVlww8XBkkpwW_lsGTHlP0LlzOsF28AvTgm-lzw5sdSo9uVW3OaNiGUQFFstnFYpl2R07Z98CaRO_PX6Mmt1gOkCyDIuVl3rMxcxwIYo-LFcdsNw/w640-h480/IMG_4030.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Opened to the public in 1970, it dazzles from all angles. Its crown of thorns exterior leads you to an underground passageway that opens onto a riot of color. I remembered that it was known for its perfect acoustics. If you whisper something against the wall, a person standing on the other side also against the wall, could hear you perfectly. The walls have now been cordoned off by ropes preventing the visitor from climbing up the curved flooring. I'm genuinely curious what led to that decision. I refuse to believe it is because I may have whispered "Oye, para de comer mierda" (or "yo, stop eating shit") just for the joy of watching the delayed reaction as the sound traveled half the length of the church and into the ear of my Cuban co-worker. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhNUCriepPmxfl9xGJCz2OUrkkVlSiRV07MgHO0kLhO9CMIMQ69po2JrxnNoVZxfYhz3Nf5hlkFhPIkO21caV3AQgJ1k2eElIaMbNrkDU824gijqnz9jU9ZjhR3NI6ggbldHY4dzyg0P5SxeRMsYepbTwe4k_nRxjDuiOQx_LNL0nV8qsyDIAEc4n4Q/s4032/IMG_4039.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhNUCriepPmxfl9xGJCz2OUrkkVlSiRV07MgHO0kLhO9CMIMQ69po2JrxnNoVZxfYhz3Nf5hlkFhPIkO21caV3AQgJ1k2eElIaMbNrkDU824gijqnz9jU9ZjhR3NI6ggbldHY4dzyg0P5SxeRMsYepbTwe4k_nRxjDuiOQx_LNL0nV8qsyDIAEc4n4Q/w480-h640/IMG_4039.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAWn269D1N9x-0f4gHeXM7TCmTKz0OFijN8X0zVCCAxOVLJKZkUy9y5KhHfVPC24W-yuxbQKBMYIurCOARUmn4i6-T1bOX28Dz_bztEYTtT3bW4w3azYjiqPn78FsrNshjlYlpWoxRJv7SWQt-KTzsU1gtfTw_akuXxDNJaoIa4SnraFQcJgduTCYpQ/s4032/IMG_4040.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAWn269D1N9x-0f4gHeXM7TCmTKz0OFijN8X0zVCCAxOVLJKZkUy9y5KhHfVPC24W-yuxbQKBMYIurCOARUmn4i6-T1bOX28Dz_bztEYTtT3bW4w3azYjiqPn78FsrNshjlYlpWoxRJv7SWQt-KTzsU1gtfTw_akuXxDNJaoIa4SnraFQcJgduTCYpQ/w640-h480/IMG_4040.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With no actual itinerary or plan to follow, we stepped out of the church and decided to investigate why there was a half model of Saturn next door. Surely it was some kind of science museum. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WP2ariZapKPgzZLL3WjQNNfh2eaSygfhy_M7OnDo2N5kgbZrGB8gNeTieXQ08yUghiGf7V5KeBNBw-L_GhlpJG2FFr6O3Me5av0bwBQX06kCSXP7nSTdVi-MJ8vea7ER2pudTJPC6mrZTBpT2AQ739cYUFreE3NGTP9-pGNwpXlsnsaL_RvyVuC1mA/s4032/IMG_4043.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WP2ariZapKPgzZLL3WjQNNfh2eaSygfhy_M7OnDo2N5kgbZrGB8gNeTieXQ08yUghiGf7V5KeBNBw-L_GhlpJG2FFr6O3Me5av0bwBQX06kCSXP7nSTdVi-MJ8vea7ER2pudTJPC6mrZTBpT2AQ739cYUFreE3NGTP9-pGNwpXlsnsaL_RvyVuC1mA/w640-h480/IMG_4043.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKUpNykgFbWoa8ZC1VPXthJMRXhYStnZ2gDNXL6Gm-g1CFM0nptsSFPSclJIa67a9C2ViZDVeT-aRukS1NWAGRPaD6GudVuiR91Ax3uXm6enpNYSjLMnVfGicYIyFNlJdkzzhUh_dK1N5uoIezqYZkKg8Th7Dwuw741_Ao1-SE92a6TIftJU_zDMxOQ/s4032/IMG_4045.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKUpNykgFbWoa8ZC1VPXthJMRXhYStnZ2gDNXL6Gm-g1CFM0nptsSFPSclJIa67a9C2ViZDVeT-aRukS1NWAGRPaD6GudVuiR91Ax3uXm6enpNYSjLMnVfGicYIyFNlJdkzzhUh_dK1N5uoIezqYZkKg8Th7Dwuw741_Ao1-SE92a6TIftJU_zDMxOQ/w640-h480/IMG_4045.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Or maybe it had nothing to do with science at all and it was the <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/national-museum-of-the-republic/jwVBz-0B5qCcMQ">National Museum of the Republic</a>, a cultural center-slash-art museum, focusing on Brazilian artists. On this day, they were featuring a retrospective of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pedroivovercosa/?hl=en">Pedro Ivo Vercosa</a>'s work. I had never heard of him but the lovely woman at the information desk took the time to explain that he was a talented albeit tortured young man who was finding artistic success but passed away at the unfathomably young age of 34 during the pandemic. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUN_eiO30h436fCVQbvsZwDJZr3xsSePEFlN9XHJURh0Vgzd6lZZmUE9SmzoiwbmeGd0fpIt5x9o_M9qEXgUT5GJ0oXNkstChdnVTis2VLXK5UZZ8XpPGx4RzAzOk704nFspu6XWYy0KCdJFxgByesssAl0xriCw3zAvhbnsCesDCrj52JvFVdCRJhg/s4032/IMG_4046.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUN_eiO30h436fCVQbvsZwDJZr3xsSePEFlN9XHJURh0Vgzd6lZZmUE9SmzoiwbmeGd0fpIt5x9o_M9qEXgUT5GJ0oXNkstChdnVTis2VLXK5UZZ8XpPGx4RzAzOk704nFspu6XWYy0KCdJFxgByesssAl0xriCw3zAvhbnsCesDCrj52JvFVdCRJhg/w480-h640/IMG_4046.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2KaMPzC95nBMZMfH3Vmmy2Jjfc-r3FAqEdFaAyVTEgqpEvlcbVIfTbcPmhhXSYPS2nmsBNYstWp8Ij9SQMo4V5JfWxNzjIdVapvhBSbvETpv-WboNfkS9UNzLbU9b1oc6sbbDJ53rLI7gM0-WaOgV4O2TE1zyCihNXlIJaffB-pWoYBcnAC6H_W6YA/s4032/IMG_4053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2KaMPzC95nBMZMfH3Vmmy2Jjfc-r3FAqEdFaAyVTEgqpEvlcbVIfTbcPmhhXSYPS2nmsBNYstWp8Ij9SQMo4V5JfWxNzjIdVapvhBSbvETpv-WboNfkS9UNzLbU9b1oc6sbbDJ53rLI7gM0-WaOgV4O2TE1zyCihNXlIJaffB-pWoYBcnAC6H_W6YA/w640-h480/IMG_4053.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGgFuBMEslG8cskZSzPHKqKeXEumkbUkEnNufp5Y1iXaVifKaabd993ZlSWqKFuQK8DuohrWP1zSmjvjKQazc3qCeueMIwYSMWWZI1E_opX4qxJR1KzyQIanG7SC6i2frxOrk5jsPe3yLcLnnp9P89WWp42F9gQMeew18GUzh0NQOzs4QJuXjWM7Pig/s3128/IMG_4056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="2154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGgFuBMEslG8cskZSzPHKqKeXEumkbUkEnNufp5Y1iXaVifKaabd993ZlSWqKFuQK8DuohrWP1zSmjvjKQazc3qCeueMIwYSMWWZI1E_opX4qxJR1KzyQIanG7SC6i2frxOrk5jsPe3yLcLnnp9P89WWp42F9gQMeew18GUzh0NQOzs4QJuXjWM7Pig/w440-h640/IMG_4056.jpeg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyco38plKLpXvE4FBsFkIqQFPt-7gvDMem4unhj4_R4RISL9svKN_qX5IvE3Uzw7QGxdSZb74lZSA1yAhkkO88phlAP80uJJkOWvtqgsgV_SHZ9d9V-p5H4dk-daXJQbi1TxjksKhOLopyuis4__wrjk6GfnsJ49sSzaGeSCp-myrOFeUoBtExht0PA/s3671/IMG_4062.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3671" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyco38plKLpXvE4FBsFkIqQFPt-7gvDMem4unhj4_R4RISL9svKN_qX5IvE3Uzw7QGxdSZb74lZSA1yAhkkO88phlAP80uJJkOWvtqgsgV_SHZ9d9V-p5H4dk-daXJQbi1TxjksKhOLopyuis4__wrjk6GfnsJ49sSzaGeSCp-myrOFeUoBtExht0PA/w640-h394/IMG_4062.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>His work was powerful and evocative. I found it hard to look away. The idea that Covid had snuffed out so much potential so early was crushing. We later learned that he had actually died by his own hand, which is somehow even sadder but not altogether shocking. For anyone already struggling emotionally to be thrown into the uncertainty and fear that was the pandemic, with all social safety nets upended, it couldn't have been easy. I personally feel that it is madness that, as a society we have been expected to return to "normal" as if nothing happened. This exhibition, particularly his final works, captured a snapshot of the turmoil of that moment in time I had yet to see represented in contemporary art. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKbUNR4F_SaacL1YrGjB5ugE2rDCYUUSjEQHJZ9XXBJKTNPDzJine-eWuoTAJfADqNE1HSndtvn3azWIZqkd3UA6YpQ4W7QUVuDtx_6EqWgQ6EhT3_Opyj9kyabD_2TY59el941_GFQMvJLDOg8bazEJPIJAlWs8fus5bCzopF0tT3ZYtCyBJYqS42Q/s4032/IMG_4066.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKbUNR4F_SaacL1YrGjB5ugE2rDCYUUSjEQHJZ9XXBJKTNPDzJine-eWuoTAJfADqNE1HSndtvn3azWIZqkd3UA6YpQ4W7QUVuDtx_6EqWgQ6EhT3_Opyj9kyabD_2TY59el941_GFQMvJLDOg8bazEJPIJAlWs8fus5bCzopF0tT3ZYtCyBJYqS42Q/w640-h480/IMG_4066.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we were leaving the museum, someone mentioned they wanted to see the I heart Brasilia sign. I personally was happy to learn that it was situated in a park, located alongside Lake Paranoa. A bit of nature would give us all a moment to regroup after that exhibition.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We piled into another couple of Ubers and made our way to Don Bosco Ecological Park. After a short walk, there it was, the mandatory monument to Instagram that all cities must now have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMC82hLTU9cV5MwAQTxAsy39KzqvOFJMDAer-gElcWrpyTR-lCxuiIOLrbrDqMs7mryF2Fidb_lrbzogbeoCyJRLBW_m95da8-0nKTOTZJ6T60uATNtcQ6IORXRog3Z16ehZUB8FAuT1X47Tc5nldHye6565p-rNJKvKOg0R78hR9sn0xK5TPloqHAQ/s4032/IMG_4079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMC82hLTU9cV5MwAQTxAsy39KzqvOFJMDAer-gElcWrpyTR-lCxuiIOLrbrDqMs7mryF2Fidb_lrbzogbeoCyJRLBW_m95da8-0nKTOTZJ6T60uATNtcQ6IORXRog3Z16ehZUB8FAuT1X47Tc5nldHye6565p-rNJKvKOg0R78hR9sn0xK5TPloqHAQ/w640-h480/IMG_4079.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Photos were taken by it, under it, atop it, you name it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvSHIGUbZi-_mqasvZ8Zbq5aTUf-e01x_iPoylBA8nUZYGG2vN0pMdyPcCkpfgbcOsvlFTcw21ib0wCw2ljIlzrll_Ia7mK0R_OHxrTM8S1Re3qjmOSp0FQjqUejaGhtiFaLrdlBI_3w3nfjPgJ92TcVffZi6bRtPmguwqldpjSuOcYX_7t6qANgWqQ/s4032/IMG_4087.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvSHIGUbZi-_mqasvZ8Zbq5aTUf-e01x_iPoylBA8nUZYGG2vN0pMdyPcCkpfgbcOsvlFTcw21ib0wCw2ljIlzrll_Ia7mK0R_OHxrTM8S1Re3qjmOSp0FQjqUejaGhtiFaLrdlBI_3w3nfjPgJ92TcVffZi6bRtPmguwqldpjSuOcYX_7t6qANgWqQ/w640-h480/IMG_4087.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FjJlTriRk_niLhIkAxO8fxms_t1j0yFCTUqtMwAb8-ySDCvM9Pr09lKrZg5Htf8rzEXF4gZXSlWfG0AY19mlvqln48jS8uBfS0dnISUR9EHR_TgXjAGXisQ1xmADJWmMuAlcu0bkFsU5uh7nG45_vi9utG3fdrhd0nPzIkoMfgNCw8woJg11HqvvdA/s4032/IMG_4092.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FjJlTriRk_niLhIkAxO8fxms_t1j0yFCTUqtMwAb8-ySDCvM9Pr09lKrZg5Htf8rzEXF4gZXSlWfG0AY19mlvqln48jS8uBfS0dnISUR9EHR_TgXjAGXisQ1xmADJWmMuAlcu0bkFsU5uh7nG45_vi9utG3fdrhd0nPzIkoMfgNCw8woJg11HqvvdA/w640-h480/IMG_4092.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But things didn't really get good until we went for a stroll by the water. I'm not sure who was the first to spot the dog sized kibbeh-looking creature waddling towards the water. I do however know who screamed an unhinged "Capybara!!!" and took off running full speed in its direction. That would be me. Did I know whether or not this was a buck-toothed killing machine? Nope. Did I care? Clearly not, this thing was adorable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time I made it, he had high-tailed it into the water but that did not stop me from pursuing him as he swam perpendicular to the shore-line. The best I was able to get was video of him swimming under a jetty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9x7qhXe2Yc" width="320" youtube-src-id="h9x7qhXe2Yc"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next time, I bring a swimsuit, a gopro and a foolproof plan to pet a capybara. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was Uber driver #3 who suggested our next stop, the<a href="https://www.pontao.com.br/home/"> Pontao do Lago Sul</a>. It's an entertainment/ restaurant complex set by the water. This would meet all of our sunset, eating and drinking needs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6uLwt8GyaP76y_nw_zF24ZU7Os4DDSBM72g6qmHoJoLb_-AfZHyh2bD6_ManychkqVIvq_2eKkU-b5OEAl3P5noi9zUrEDNn8IDL8IagCGdplPsh5CzXVSZJIo5GNhRVi90MFXTCEzxIh-EWyQopB3CwouSYWKB1AYounAQc_JcEHy3ccLyFcuZa1g/s4032/IMG_4102.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6uLwt8GyaP76y_nw_zF24ZU7Os4DDSBM72g6qmHoJoLb_-AfZHyh2bD6_ManychkqVIvq_2eKkU-b5OEAl3P5noi9zUrEDNn8IDL8IagCGdplPsh5CzXVSZJIo5GNhRVi90MFXTCEzxIh-EWyQopB3CwouSYWKB1AYounAQc_JcEHy3ccLyFcuZa1g/w640-h480/IMG_4102.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP2h5RBS5GHnK_nu5lgCdUVW8yiSG7DPYJ2snfqvWiby54fyhwtZcXcsK8G1-UxKrxTeFHgqejUZJoK2Qsdng8e39pyFx5Kb5oBVecE-kU1hQ8egriLpa76CmCO0w6MsCY1UTBPUz7OrlQskjb8yeH_bqnAXTXS4N6XGLoYrivtlvLL44tzw2xNmFoQ/s4032/IMG_4109.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP2h5RBS5GHnK_nu5lgCdUVW8yiSG7DPYJ2snfqvWiby54fyhwtZcXcsK8G1-UxKrxTeFHgqejUZJoK2Qsdng8e39pyFx5Kb5oBVecE-kU1hQ8egriLpa76CmCO0w6MsCY1UTBPUz7OrlQskjb8yeH_bqnAXTXS4N6XGLoYrivtlvLL44tzw2xNmFoQ/w480-h640/IMG_4109.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjCKuhbTr6r4XuYbBnNlUIKrPS4SN3WdAzaJi_ruDSC7P0pqZoz0qtNhDniZMk9v8gOMOYCfXNtRkr4ovjFacOdG3c8LXMw6AFAK8CYB3_CYxobaQyUAhYVg6bNKZHnhGt1X8JQbgUgsqSmCkiQ24_j1smJZklNPVeP3PeLhZq6UuMLIL4It-TnFXxQ/s4032/IMG_4114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjCKuhbTr6r4XuYbBnNlUIKrPS4SN3WdAzaJi_ruDSC7P0pqZoz0qtNhDniZMk9v8gOMOYCfXNtRkr4ovjFacOdG3c8LXMw6AFAK8CYB3_CYxobaQyUAhYVg6bNKZHnhGt1X8JQbgUgsqSmCkiQ24_j1smJZklNPVeP3PeLhZq6UuMLIL4It-TnFXxQ/w640-h480/IMG_4114.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjrsSRs9-DG9a7K0eBsK8jyLmxj3GffkqXBM2GbdHdoeWo4DUnzmGuWdFCPsAGDL1UXx7ZV-bOwjnbtrYC4B8KSi2caJiSXiPqPtr3buIdpWdP51j7rIVOuCqQggTCAlu80MlaG0IgGzG39uKVckDTUttmA7h0hnMKJtXmwixK1bu5zn-76w6637png/s4032/IMG_4122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjrsSRs9-DG9a7K0eBsK8jyLmxj3GffkqXBM2GbdHdoeWo4DUnzmGuWdFCPsAGDL1UXx7ZV-bOwjnbtrYC4B8KSi2caJiSXiPqPtr3buIdpWdP51j7rIVOuCqQggTCAlu80MlaG0IgGzG39uKVckDTUttmA7h0hnMKJtXmwixK1bu5zn-76w6637png/w640-h480/IMG_4122.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I3hr1FX0ElIGC1ETJ0oKoy6_YrCgsuG3cfWBthKckQ4oh1eoHL4U47tPgq3-QrUlerCCVgmhuBhLcPJOkojmbl9QPKJBh_1VCFJVT_7YiwXDJQ8RY_mpnPp9O6XK7TDK3_dTu_IMEG_r58Wd8KMjG9QYMuVlP1SAkcMVq_kCq-4x6Y_QzN42Pskpcg/s4032/IMG_4123.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I3hr1FX0ElIGC1ETJ0oKoy6_YrCgsuG3cfWBthKckQ4oh1eoHL4U47tPgq3-QrUlerCCVgmhuBhLcPJOkojmbl9QPKJBh_1VCFJVT_7YiwXDJQ8RY_mpnPp9O6XK7TDK3_dTu_IMEG_r58Wd8KMjG9QYMuVlP1SAkcMVq_kCq-4x6Y_QzN42Pskpcg/w480-h640/IMG_4123.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It had been a full day, fresh on the heels of a long night, so after dinner it was decided that we would Uber back to the hotel and chill, which is a sound plan...that is, until you realize that your hotel is next door to the best named drinking establishment in the history of drinking establishments. I was so excited I think I may have jumped out of the Uber while it was still moving but this girl was getting a beer at The Drunken CapyBarA!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SH5h8mqOt7uI8Kd3wId7cEOPmSaCm8la45pRbMG90Yg6CFFgCSSl4oDleYPB3KsxGMjB9N8eE4D5RLlwk3kK1FV81-aaUx4_IeEeIguLraw0w4wYX-uLtYKn8NwmtViWFA0jYghXrEOkwMSW2CpRw4Iz48V-IiqaSZ0kqQJYaAaFn5fvhHvSOIXd0w/s4032/IMG_4124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SH5h8mqOt7uI8Kd3wId7cEOPmSaCm8la45pRbMG90Yg6CFFgCSSl4oDleYPB3KsxGMjB9N8eE4D5RLlwk3kK1FV81-aaUx4_IeEeIguLraw0w4wYX-uLtYKn8NwmtViWFA0jYghXrEOkwMSW2CpRw4Iz48V-IiqaSZ0kqQJYaAaFn5fvhHvSOIXd0w/w480-h640/IMG_4124.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dD6iJg8q4AWfMLncOve4A1N8BgIu22uKEPJvQ3_24S4K-eYMg3_zP6GtuspjZ85LTzJHv1vPCGkbvM7w4WR7QLbLqL3GvZdNDPxrOgBjOq14OZsu80i8-qxx3YxQsYgGGa2PZd67z6Lntllls9yFFnfR04fJxwQkSvxoW0F13iMojsFTCbtTgTOxw/s4032/IMG_4125.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dD6iJg8q4AWfMLncOve4A1N8BgIu22uKEPJvQ3_24S4K-eYMg3_zP6GtuspjZ85LTzJHv1vPCGkbvM7w4WR7QLbLqL3GvZdNDPxrOgBjOq14OZsu80i8-qxx3YxQsYgGGa2PZd67z6Lntllls9yFFnfR04fJxwQkSvxoW0F13iMojsFTCbtTgTOxw/w640-h480/IMG_4125.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We closed out the bar and we could afford to. The drinks were cheap and we had spent maybe $50 in Ubers to see much of what the $350 tour purported to show. Between Google and some English language signage, we had even figured out a good amount of what we were looking at. Total victory for team Capybara.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, at least partial victory. The next morning, I pulled up a list of things to see to make sure we hadn't missed anything. I still had a couple of hours before I had to leave and FOMO's gotta FOMO. There was a church that kept coming up on all the lists, the Santuario Dom Bosco. Uber time. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the outside, the church is cool but nothing too special, in a city known for its architecture. It's basically a modernist white box, designed by Niedermeyer's student Carlos Alberto Naves. It's not until you go inside that it's true beauty reveals itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blue stained glass panels illuminated by the no-joke Brazilian sun create a magical effect, making you feel as if you have somehow wandered underneath the surface of the sea.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrS5K0HdKRXgxRDHfqzkuYrDdKGDUdlEwqRbs6R4ktHeD0enwiIV4L15NlKmBIsMzHy8xA23GgUbwlDC-uBSJkPA_fmjoyYnfor77kck034by1YeA69mX0h-FYsIUbq_7h09B7OFm-PvxRLswN25nn0DcNyLq6orCuB_tS-L_q2-MBM4AlIeiE4cOYg/s4032/IMG_4128.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrS5K0HdKRXgxRDHfqzkuYrDdKGDUdlEwqRbs6R4ktHeD0enwiIV4L15NlKmBIsMzHy8xA23GgUbwlDC-uBSJkPA_fmjoyYnfor77kck034by1YeA69mX0h-FYsIUbq_7h09B7OFm-PvxRLswN25nn0DcNyLq6orCuB_tS-L_q2-MBM4AlIeiE4cOYg/w640-h480/IMG_4128.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDS4t1Hwk35S3w4YHEwkNXuzIIvM_m0tGbE2UP3njTH03clMF5cDI5gZHPIAauaoShUnsBAqgqpdQVMmkaLQDCqgH3WBQMb9einoJ1wTdItkyJgN4h5QRbRyxpVQc7uMXOR_g7aj1BeM-RKxNGOyLoj2AIPdt2Q8o1lO2QsEsbWK_M7igltAsZWcXgw/s4032/IMG_4135.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDS4t1Hwk35S3w4YHEwkNXuzIIvM_m0tGbE2UP3njTH03clMF5cDI5gZHPIAauaoShUnsBAqgqpdQVMmkaLQDCqgH3WBQMb9einoJ1wTdItkyJgN4h5QRbRyxpVQc7uMXOR_g7aj1BeM-RKxNGOyLoj2AIPdt2Q8o1lO2QsEsbWK_M7igltAsZWcXgw/w480-h640/IMG_4135.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOmokLWXuREEY_EqFbHvJ9IDq_bViJz-AndnyLIc0RGJ67nkq7_0V7AWfhD5DTek4tZG7Fl6wiX1gjRKI9pFG4_E6GHWEI4Zqnk8jbJJRemg-PkZhY__B4eoYOjyIHygyJrENlW6ATC6ccdOVLbzgi9mY_-itYTZEPvaO7yL62_8JJukHSlnJgx0RYw/s4032/IMG_4138.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOmokLWXuREEY_EqFbHvJ9IDq_bViJz-AndnyLIc0RGJ67nkq7_0V7AWfhD5DTek4tZG7Fl6wiX1gjRKI9pFG4_E6GHWEI4Zqnk8jbJJRemg-PkZhY__B4eoYOjyIHygyJrENlW6ATC6ccdOVLbzgi9mY_-itYTZEPvaO7yL62_8JJukHSlnJgx0RYw/w480-h640/IMG_4138.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Gw67jalKqVZIqcU5RtKgMNceGljlQHfS61m5BP1usIWBzsSucRBAhCcerrBqUqnAAqe0EAQxHPxf6VaUkdgCEk_v38M7myH86DF2c5SpztYAqk_EyNI2ismooIYSmAfd4zvFw618RbCJPfuUqu10mWKxB5AjAUxTSO4-JKWqJgWqRaNI_PHUkfoTA/s4032/IMG_4146.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Gw67jalKqVZIqcU5RtKgMNceGljlQHfS61m5BP1usIWBzsSucRBAhCcerrBqUqnAAqe0EAQxHPxf6VaUkdgCEk_v38M7myH86DF2c5SpztYAqk_EyNI2ismooIYSmAfd4zvFw618RbCJPfuUqu10mWKxB5AjAUxTSO4-JKWqJgWqRaNI_PHUkfoTA/w640-h480/IMG_4146.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I eventually returned to the parking lot, my driver was waiting for me as I had hoped. I had asked him to but my attempts at Portuguese were having mixed results at best. There were a couple of things I had seen in passing the prior day and now I wanted to get up close. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had him drop me off by The Warriors, a monument dedicated to the worked who built this unlikely city. It wasn't just that these two figures are most common tchotchke sold by the few wandering souvenir vendors. It was more because they got prime real estate, right in the heart of Three Powers Square, where you find buildings representing the legislative, judicial and executives branches. It's also showcases some of Neidermeyer's coolest work.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJgxXeQGabHdyzAFS_xlKV4fo_24nRRVjXWJVyeBAruJKwzjbOG-AnE1G1vBG9fnTZhdSd-W49O8Z6wSDxts6nSbuEWxQ8d1rrAcPgUSvGsMStTtwWYETTU16mEdyugQBQB8LQ-hA5PQk3TBvSsaSKROUyXxH82H8fQQcNk2LeWYkGR_D3nx3gAAk5Q/s4032/IMG_4149.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJgxXeQGabHdyzAFS_xlKV4fo_24nRRVjXWJVyeBAruJKwzjbOG-AnE1G1vBG9fnTZhdSd-W49O8Z6wSDxts6nSbuEWxQ8d1rrAcPgUSvGsMStTtwWYETTU16mEdyugQBQB8LQ-hA5PQk3TBvSsaSKROUyXxH82H8fQQcNk2LeWYkGR_D3nx3gAAk5Q/w480-h640/IMG_4149.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAN8Lva-EkyjrzOhRavC4zgMsTEyAWZ27Ef50_JjJA0hF73wZXLLivdesU6l-kej0XQbG8wTr7Z1cm1W5OvJjYtRWFbg1ofZbo-H7fMlNrbIvFXhZnEAXCfIqpKcWTH7pEdjyDXRdh8dTzkNjtQavNLbLw6rfo9LNTkt4aTLD92hy3T7mLY03wAYniQ/s4032/IMG_4154.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAN8Lva-EkyjrzOhRavC4zgMsTEyAWZ27Ef50_JjJA0hF73wZXLLivdesU6l-kej0XQbG8wTr7Z1cm1W5OvJjYtRWFbg1ofZbo-H7fMlNrbIvFXhZnEAXCfIqpKcWTH7pEdjyDXRdh8dTzkNjtQavNLbLw6rfo9LNTkt4aTLD92hy3T7mLY03wAYniQ/w480-h640/IMG_4154.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />My personal favorite was the <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/pantheon-of-the-homeland-and-liberty-centro-cultural-tres-poderes/cwWRPg0r9G24iA?hl=en">Pantheon of the Fatherland and Liberty</a> It's a museum dedicated to Tancredo Neves, the first democratically elected president who died before ever taking office, as well as other Brazilian heroes. Seen from the outside it takes the shape of a dove. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP8JW6ksKocvw41ZeoWgA1ToROaTgLDCh0WhnMSVwD0Pa3w2uBVMjSq8_OHdN869cI_kFeGJiILFzkyGxr1Ia7-VwcqtjAL2Etrtnw9LY9JDPW3xk8u2RhCJmysn83SzoLwNQIkxJHsrZT51T1FIM5fjRP7HB5mehFjftzT7ggl1_mD523oFTuJ3nnA/s4032/IMG_4163.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP8JW6ksKocvw41ZeoWgA1ToROaTgLDCh0WhnMSVwD0Pa3w2uBVMjSq8_OHdN869cI_kFeGJiILFzkyGxr1Ia7-VwcqtjAL2Etrtnw9LY9JDPW3xk8u2RhCJmysn83SzoLwNQIkxJHsrZT51T1FIM5fjRP7HB5mehFjftzT7ggl1_mD523oFTuJ3nnA/w640-h480/IMG_4163.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Also found within the square, the Supreme Court:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6F-DQM1uZgwsBQzgzFLhspY_NlyhmuJUnq0JTKYbQJTihvJqHTjkY7_B0-1TNS5ZWOxozArYc0ixmK71JIqeHViiT2j5NJ-0ebiPEa76b4Ncq0elRnzbt6kh3DP8haA80JNYPeaIiubCpBW6UhBUVVxhVPJVbBOVYPKRAq3G1QvoHcVZrEQeZSrd0w/s4032/IMG_4165.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6F-DQM1uZgwsBQzgzFLhspY_NlyhmuJUnq0JTKYbQJTihvJqHTjkY7_B0-1TNS5ZWOxozArYc0ixmK71JIqeHViiT2j5NJ-0ebiPEa76b4Ncq0elRnzbt6kh3DP8haA80JNYPeaIiubCpBW6UhBUVVxhVPJVbBOVYPKRAq3G1QvoHcVZrEQeZSrd0w/w640-h480/IMG_4165.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Palacio de Plan Alto, which serves as the President's office: </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRyk6YZKKm_nX66qZk4GnCnJoNne1MzteZrvDBbwk8kUkGfv4wzbFFPUbckAHlheyW0cBlB7mXyeKwgUTQlY427DCxYjNoj_B_JdWdCSGBvJt9M80Ac3X4OcBD5eQnVQPvIo6FJ0TbLt_1sNbsH5zFD9hWruFpCPKm8VcutlAT844CF-avZNh2DWcrg/s4032/IMG_4176.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRyk6YZKKm_nX66qZk4GnCnJoNne1MzteZrvDBbwk8kUkGfv4wzbFFPUbckAHlheyW0cBlB7mXyeKwgUTQlY427DCxYjNoj_B_JdWdCSGBvJt9M80Ac3X4OcBD5eQnVQPvIo6FJ0TbLt_1sNbsH5zFD9hWruFpCPKm8VcutlAT844CF-avZNh2DWcrg/w480-h640/IMG_4176.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And the offices of the Brazilian National Congress: </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC917E-vzauHYYlVR1-K-9QcxUP-qZK1tBGDrZauFfU5F9wD7Aj1JLdUoP_btvwzNf6qiA5_SvEHQl4r8RlYphH8VfJNygtMrMR5Di0mP9Am9l_ca91eqee_-XYBLFcGRtgd3iswd0Q7BUMfnz3f1uhWKBg1FHu4hs85qXAe7co4xlY1Wpc7YpNBi7A/s4032/IMG_4179.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC917E-vzauHYYlVR1-K-9QcxUP-qZK1tBGDrZauFfU5F9wD7Aj1JLdUoP_btvwzNf6qiA5_SvEHQl4r8RlYphH8VfJNygtMrMR5Di0mP9Am9l_ca91eqee_-XYBLFcGRtgd3iswd0Q7BUMfnz3f1uhWKBg1FHu4hs85qXAe7co4xlY1Wpc7YpNBi7A/w640-h480/IMG_4179.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEouqEN_4kShbJ4DnHCRR1kGJjwp1OQDmpUIWzErPiCmAXgEKuWHTHBUfruRqV5Q9WGr8T3w0nqDH0cLHV62H3qIV9cfkt3qJp8WEBNZd9UJRBDQedNW5eeRnRyCUc-qwQP1-xWwXgsrie9kAK51NUrsWkwdY4J4AKW9k0VW-TqhkVHbZkCvPOPZgFWA/s3750/IMG_4070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3750" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEouqEN_4kShbJ4DnHCRR1kGJjwp1OQDmpUIWzErPiCmAXgEKuWHTHBUfruRqV5Q9WGr8T3w0nqDH0cLHV62H3qIV9cfkt3qJp8WEBNZd9UJRBDQedNW5eeRnRyCUc-qwQP1-xWwXgsrie9kAK51NUrsWkwdY4J4AKW9k0VW-TqhkVHbZkCvPOPZgFWA/w640-h464/IMG_4070.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Architecturally speaking, it is an embarrassment of riches, all within a comfortable walking distance. I'm more baffled than before as to why there are no free walking tours offered here. I get that Brasilia isn't as sexy as Rio or as busy as Sao Paolo but it is the nation's capital and has a truly unique history. Someone needs to step it up. Until that happens, I advise skipping the overpriced private tours, getting a couple of Ubers and packing a pocketful of capybara kibble, cause you never know…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-7871933794321216532023-06-16T10:15:00.003-05:002023-06-16T10:15:50.115-05:00Country #123: Gallivanting in Guyana<p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ULoxauOphpum2AQdZeyBxXy7XtpYiXenH885jX1bTwwe_2Hqk6caKBGzXia6uL2UzbG0VmwuTxnmbBAN_ZX7cSPXqz_3NCcDmme1kQCnw-mjgbaJFbWctEGlFgpgxzKyoA7H8fdK9awxVgu39H1XhEENXh_9m1g3bMxaHD5Y3cGLL98FvkqpIQRuQ/s4032/IMG_3936.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ULoxauOphpum2AQdZeyBxXy7XtpYiXenH885jX1bTwwe_2Hqk6caKBGzXia6uL2UzbG0VmwuTxnmbBAN_ZX7cSPXqz_3NCcDmme1kQCnw-mjgbaJFbWctEGlFgpgxzKyoA7H8fdK9awxVgu39H1XhEENXh_9m1g3bMxaHD5Y3cGLL98FvkqpIQRuQ/w640-h480/IMG_3936.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes all you can get is a quickie. Such was the case with country #123. The excitement on visiting my sole remaining South American country was tempered (and then tempered again) by an ever changing schedule that kept reducing the length of my stay. By the time I touched down in Timehri, Guyana, it was 1am. I was only going to have 11 hours, most of them in the middle of the night.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlh63YCUePs7Fj1nWtf86TZcaeMt03ds6lM_evdqd-kIb_FCj3N_m6kudQQDQNgPDBuXPM1aGYDCEgoRCTdVTDlR6j2PZNNkLMoleSzUKxZiN4hwM5KGPfyEhZsgbU_asyBkuiGT4Fgb6xpnDTOUeCj3bRFAMlJnpuQp1DryK-k2xBQdmqtvBoRLcSw/s4032/IMG_3865.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlh63YCUePs7Fj1nWtf86TZcaeMt03ds6lM_evdqd-kIb_FCj3N_m6kudQQDQNgPDBuXPM1aGYDCEgoRCTdVTDlR6j2PZNNkLMoleSzUKxZiN4hwM5KGPfyEhZsgbU_asyBkuiGT4Fgb6xpnDTOUeCj3bRFAMlJnpuQp1DryK-k2xBQdmqtvBoRLcSw/w640-h408/IMG_3865.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add to this an hour’s drive to our hotel in Georgetown and I was down to 10 measly hours. Damn you, slow front desk clerk!! Why am I only seeing my room at 2:15 am? Resigned to missing out on the city’s sights, I figured I could at least try the city’s beer. I headed down to the 24 hour casino, where in a perverse turn of all things casino, they did not sell drinks. Sure, you could gamble and get free drinks but if you didn’t happen to have a fistful of Guyanese dollars to feed into the slot machines, you were shit out of Banks. Since at this point, down was up and up was down, the pool bar- the one without a soul in sight, maybe because it was the middle of the fricking night-was actually open and praise Zeus, willing to sell me a frosty beverage.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiIVaDbA45P4vbRkR2d_iZ8iIG_T5LVzm7OxDxuyH9Fb84vS51GTw4aXR8EiBbYvkxv-gsmpfg3eEd5Rm6KAuWHb-qfRUIPfdaIOthchGCKYLsOHFp6ndP6-UN0uSkebmeIDOMwArtRx9Xw1YdUZI4PXm_7F5Qt0hFT4fufrTH0oCLuE5jMz1ImPLdg/s4032/IMG_3868.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiIVaDbA45P4vbRkR2d_iZ8iIG_T5LVzm7OxDxuyH9Fb84vS51GTw4aXR8EiBbYvkxv-gsmpfg3eEd5Rm6KAuWHb-qfRUIPfdaIOthchGCKYLsOHFp6ndP6-UN0uSkebmeIDOMwArtRx9Xw1YdUZI4PXm_7F5Qt0hFT4fufrTH0oCLuE5jMz1ImPLdg/w480-h640/IMG_3868.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was 3am, when I finally laid my weary head. Said head was still feeling pretty weary when daylight woke me up three hours later. It was 6am, the sun was blazing and the view outside my room was looking pretty sweet. I still had 5 hours to go and a raging case of FOMO. One call to the front desk later, I had a driver to take me around the city and show me the highlights (or as many as he could fit into a 2 hr window).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_zNUhASYKZKHk8uA6hMESE-8a2T-8gs06S31XF_gTsiEMbdbAlrBCQXORgjXGgUcN85t-fsDiE-WgHtFyIlI8DPAci9zfbiiibudDCIgybBQFXC5GmzBfHskmeGNs1pRlts2jy3CjKMpCXfY633BhuH1yRABK5z_0QEaFu9szsnESA9bXGEu72ajng/s4032/IMG_3870.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_zNUhASYKZKHk8uA6hMESE-8a2T-8gs06S31XF_gTsiEMbdbAlrBCQXORgjXGgUcN85t-fsDiE-WgHtFyIlI8DPAci9zfbiiibudDCIgybBQFXC5GmzBfHskmeGNs1pRlts2jy3CjKMpCXfY633BhuH1yRABK5z_0QEaFu9szsnESA9bXGEu72ajng/w640-h480/IMG_3870.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Riding shotgun (which happened to be on the wrong side of the car) with my new buddy, Elvis, we were off and running. We started with a drive across the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is way more exciting than it sounds. The bridge is floating on pontoons, and held in place by what look like a series of buoys. I’ve been on floating docks before and have always felt like I was one jelly donut away from sinking the whole damn thing. To be in a car, alongside other heavy looking vehicles, was asking for a whole lot of faith in floating technology. Not even the architect, John Patrick Coghlan, was so sure about this thing. He gave the bridge ten years top. That was in 1978. Yet, it is still floating and even has a portion that retracts to allow boats to pass through.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-R4aXOvWidnkxmgtJxk0tFa017ji5L7m0hESu2dZXeMgVK1oVoc0zF6wGCDrHi7l0v3z28sPKezqU1YlLRNYLA-x-E9Iz6REet0BEk1LGAtB3BDlr8sIGeCr_9sdMqs7jLpd9RgO45GqqBo2JQdu-NcnyVUxqKDDUXMFWOFMKQ4ggLeD79Y_s8bFQ/s4032/IMG_3882.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-R4aXOvWidnkxmgtJxk0tFa017ji5L7m0hESu2dZXeMgVK1oVoc0zF6wGCDrHi7l0v3z28sPKezqU1YlLRNYLA-x-E9Iz6REet0BEk1LGAtB3BDlr8sIGeCr_9sdMqs7jLpd9RgO45GqqBo2JQdu-NcnyVUxqKDDUXMFWOFMKQ4ggLeD79Y_s8bFQ/w640-h480/IMG_3882.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next up we did a drive-thru of the Sunday market, a surprisingly busy (at 7am!) farmer’s market. Any ideas I may have had of getting out to inspect the produce was quickly quashed when Elvis insisted I roll up the window. It honestly did not look or feel dangerous but I think he was wary of the attention that an obvious tourist would draw.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpLc9VEasuCcoAjFN8Ohf1rZZvaxTr2iQjCBVunmGnu7w1JlfpxakrYCZ-4Shl1LM0y7AeOFFtRx2JeD3eZHIHAo3x0JrfVBpKE8ZKb6ICsKD-Vyki7AeTpp-admRrurLLbHpoAe2OJd9eeHeTU6kWSamjlNjNgB3KrdsR3XClfWsU6TXqkjLfHgIA/s4032/IMG_3894.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxpLc9VEasuCcoAjFN8Ohf1rZZvaxTr2iQjCBVunmGnu7w1JlfpxakrYCZ-4Shl1LM0y7AeOFFtRx2JeD3eZHIHAo3x0JrfVBpKE8ZKb6ICsKD-Vyki7AeTpp-admRrurLLbHpoAe2OJd9eeHeTU6kWSamjlNjNgB3KrdsR3XClfWsU6TXqkjLfHgIA/w640-h480/IMG_3894.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflu6Tz1ooyl4850Vx3DvoDyMoD12UblcND5FN6ducM-G8pEcZwTXsLG2hplKB25VNbLvFsALpqNDDEVVoS7nbqKphmATZNixL8c1NbAbl42atIsz5kaqaUJ8yQFbYMJvn_OfTGbBEhkBIA2ha4XY2IUrLUNcyHb86GPHTWzSLH4Yjl_8V7WMuoHcLAQ/s4032/IMG_3890.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflu6Tz1ooyl4850Vx3DvoDyMoD12UblcND5FN6ducM-G8pEcZwTXsLG2hplKB25VNbLvFsALpqNDDEVVoS7nbqKphmATZNixL8c1NbAbl42atIsz5kaqaUJ8yQFbYMJvn_OfTGbBEhkBIA2ha4XY2IUrLUNcyHb86GPHTWzSLH4Yjl_8V7WMuoHcLAQ/w640-h480/IMG_3890.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCby2UTL3Bdv66O4zsX53IP4oh-tlktI-ecftxXLcKchNMAnMxRYFF2GYTzYRtatfplsVd0nlXKBG_V0-VyiedLs5U13HOGieeFAj5vWE_TjVL0SYD9JYwhZKgQGAICgElhKoHu24UzR14pkmblFxGq9l1VbXM9bDElL4qYUwrIWZhdHURHo_e-L2Rpg/s4032/IMG_3899.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCby2UTL3Bdv66O4zsX53IP4oh-tlktI-ecftxXLcKchNMAnMxRYFF2GYTzYRtatfplsVd0nlXKBG_V0-VyiedLs5U13HOGieeFAj5vWE_TjVL0SYD9JYwhZKgQGAICgElhKoHu24UzR14pkmblFxGq9l1VbXM9bDElL4qYUwrIWZhdHURHo_e-L2Rpg/w640-h480/IMG_3899.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With its abundant rain forests and resident jaguars, Guyana has the potential of being a major eco-tourism draw. Sadly, due to a history of political instability and economic crimes, that is not the case. Nowhere was this more evident than when Elvis and I were walking along the seawall and a guy called out to ask if a diplomat. I responded that while I was not a diplomat, I did always try to be diplomatic. That ruled out, he declared that I must work for the UN. Are those really the only "tourists" they see, diplomats and aid workers?</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The seawall itself did double duty. It was both a bulwark against the rising tides of the Atlantic Ocean and a promenade to be enjoyed by people of all ages. Looking out to sea, you could note where the Demerara River meets up with the Atlantic, each refusing to take on the color of the other.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkwWf-AvIUIYI3CvbnZiHdBNrpheigRJ9kH60qsiB44N_RoMdLyY0--BCEOWFpySIUW5cIT1mAWwe3JiQcmvFuwzLVBI_gnWqRFy_D7ucOWlruuIQbm4IFyCCkrcO0fk1R47h3-CLigAmSTpSUcukzHBjUlM2CIHf0FkaTUUCo79AV8pq87tNJlnBvQ/s4032/IMG_3930.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkwWf-AvIUIYI3CvbnZiHdBNrpheigRJ9kH60qsiB44N_RoMdLyY0--BCEOWFpySIUW5cIT1mAWwe3JiQcmvFuwzLVBI_gnWqRFy_D7ucOWlruuIQbm4IFyCCkrcO0fk1R47h3-CLigAmSTpSUcukzHBjUlM2CIHf0FkaTUUCo79AV8pq87tNJlnBvQ/w640-h480/IMG_3930.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qrJsBEhDYrO3XDZ3fY2PEsmHX_JhBghaAZDZHPkQbTuOocet8FuYhRAOixsCqU-krMa5vF0cGdN1CxDPQ_oqGJ_t1Bs8l-YJfvmXRKBlbFbNeoGke7fwk_6gZS7OvE3lgDPy2e6tkgTAVOPTocFoj6QodF-gAOGMWJ7War1-3bGrrJUHepdWw254WQ/s4032/IMG_3941.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qrJsBEhDYrO3XDZ3fY2PEsmHX_JhBghaAZDZHPkQbTuOocet8FuYhRAOixsCqU-krMa5vF0cGdN1CxDPQ_oqGJ_t1Bs8l-YJfvmXRKBlbFbNeoGke7fwk_6gZS7OvE3lgDPy2e6tkgTAVOPTocFoj6QodF-gAOGMWJ7War1-3bGrrJUHepdWw254WQ/w480-h640/IMG_3941.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxQxPTQEE-N1iy99RpzHE4FPY2axlF5pQV-iCiOOlbME2_Urv8mZmCoj_vuV1aq7-nsvgR5ENqKMx966EGfq7LlZUxMYik50nKjV8CQA6Oiz1WTZZoVyOjTkzZR5BWfdiQpc480icJG3FdGdDPwl_UW3Gq0IhlJBc5IGX2TrCsfiuYkOJScI3cXqnjA/s4032/IMG_3939.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxQxPTQEE-N1iy99RpzHE4FPY2axlF5pQV-iCiOOlbME2_Urv8mZmCoj_vuV1aq7-nsvgR5ENqKMx966EGfq7LlZUxMYik50nKjV8CQA6Oiz1WTZZoVyOjTkzZR5BWfdiQpc480icJG3FdGdDPwl_UW3Gq0IhlJBc5IGX2TrCsfiuYkOJScI3cXqnjA/w640-h480/IMG_3939.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcsocyQ_cueht7hlZyZVx5z6j3GUJPeC4WGsnMPzve5i7J3cv9nmSg7Xhk2IE4evNaCihUJZvr_EraLUvq6uz6MR9ejsTaM2Cdg6RdjKmnpgJ3DEdXSz17gcX4qaKGiVXdUKnalPIxCc-jBD-5GKSSxfyqIg1bOsXdtcN6cw3TCLK_grouZPA7GlA2g/s4032/IMG_3942.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcsocyQ_cueht7hlZyZVx5z6j3GUJPeC4WGsnMPzve5i7J3cv9nmSg7Xhk2IE4evNaCihUJZvr_EraLUvq6uz6MR9ejsTaM2Cdg6RdjKmnpgJ3DEdXSz17gcX4qaKGiVXdUKnalPIxCc-jBD-5GKSSxfyqIg1bOsXdtcN6cw3TCLK_grouZPA7GlA2g/w480-h640/IMG_3942.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But you know what you couldn’t see? A lighthouse. It’s not that Georgetown does not have one. It most certainly does, only it is almost 5 blocks inland and has a giant Marriott hotel between it and the nearest body of water. Isn’t the entire purpose of a lighthouse to warn boaters they are about to run out of ocean. This location makes no sense to me. By the time a seaman lays eyes on this thing, he has already lodged himself firmly atop the Marriott’s breakfast buffet.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiZLwe56FAC0u9Qx2j4n-FUJFhYY4yX3nBeDB54WXdj2ORL1VS7R5wtQ3zYGvEjAs3E4fZq-XqPFCKoIU__v1FopR5Rnno5ZHeRIY98UHgaHmy4JbsFbUHFVj6renHA17MhvyiLEmtCe89adZtIpmUI4nJUMwN42BQVHAoNi901p2UOXL8u9oSB1pMg/s4032/IMG_3906.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiZLwe56FAC0u9Qx2j4n-FUJFhYY4yX3nBeDB54WXdj2ORL1VS7R5wtQ3zYGvEjAs3E4fZq-XqPFCKoIU__v1FopR5Rnno5ZHeRIY98UHgaHmy4JbsFbUHFVj6renHA17MhvyiLEmtCe89adZtIpmUI4nJUMwN42BQVHAoNi901p2UOXL8u9oSB1pMg/w640-h480/IMG_3906.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps it is because of these past nautical mishaps that ferry crossing the Demerara river requires their passengers to actually don life vests for the 5 minute ride.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP3mGv6CMZGW-u5ymuL6tlD8Urs0EqPh6mHRzCgkST-nKqpiARNWEDlVaBjczvD7DXkSRwuhbOjRRfXDJyLNWdVUj3ZlUy5HVgC_o4yA_mwwY1QrwGKQ73aZ8Rye4c7dyFYoDjwzs-ibN4LwMj-14MdmJOONcGkyDdyi678Ccp4KCzLC2ZH-biAV_Sg/s4032/IMG_3901.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP3mGv6CMZGW-u5ymuL6tlD8Urs0EqPh6mHRzCgkST-nKqpiARNWEDlVaBjczvD7DXkSRwuhbOjRRfXDJyLNWdVUj3ZlUy5HVgC_o4yA_mwwY1QrwGKQ73aZ8Rye4c7dyFYoDjwzs-ibN4LwMj-14MdmJOONcGkyDdyi678Ccp4KCzLC2ZH-biAV_Sg/w640-h480/IMG_3901.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One particularly cool site was Umana Yana, a circular thatched roof building constructed using indigenous building techniques (read: not a single nail required). We were not able to go inside because it had been rented out for a private event but we did explore the grounds a bit.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF2QBc9CoLEsxUrUZ6S37kOrDI_A1w3zRuAYdjnbUnn9L4VKiqyoubUZ9f1lV1CD0WyB0qivpq3D4Fq0AYI3WlmjEa_COzLDt5snPO2lo9DGtqtRjizyAwSY6o0CaGHpILnczFEhTCQrB5jJRryhmrMx8tZCabvJ5BTmvqyPwAkJpjGNuytYzmhFtCQ/s4032/IMG_3910.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF2QBc9CoLEsxUrUZ6S37kOrDI_A1w3zRuAYdjnbUnn9L4VKiqyoubUZ9f1lV1CD0WyB0qivpq3D4Fq0AYI3WlmjEa_COzLDt5snPO2lo9DGtqtRjizyAwSY6o0CaGHpILnczFEhTCQrB5jJRryhmrMx8tZCabvJ5BTmvqyPwAkJpjGNuytYzmhFtCQ/w640-h480/IMG_3910.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoKq3hy82Wt-6hdwTaVr1lkHmIFPajGY66zOsEfeE085gNHhum3yc9FSLU8f1Fam6ozuVhNP2tqjjnKJX_I_11DvPV5CRO50ddx-LetT0II8gjvt-cKTU9sZLFSvKadQ-UujZ0csN7VuS6wuO2lOFLoise8F4BlBx922LCpTthuxnGRGQLcoj28CfXg/s4032/IMG_3914.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoKq3hy82Wt-6hdwTaVr1lkHmIFPajGY66zOsEfeE085gNHhum3yc9FSLU8f1Fam6ozuVhNP2tqjjnKJX_I_11DvPV5CRO50ddx-LetT0II8gjvt-cKTU9sZLFSvKadQ-UujZ0csN7VuS6wuO2lOFLoise8F4BlBx922LCpTthuxnGRGQLcoj28CfXg/w640-h480/IMG_3914.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Across the street sits a brightly colored “I heart Guyana” sign. There may not be a lot of tourism but those diplomats and UN workers are still getting their Instagram photo op.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFb1hczWhEESKXgRr062aQTU-cLGBxAgxeOto7wWBaMxk2g2fajmj5LbhEVw-SGICul-BlX4oPhQ3WwYY-XDrF474lz5BGN28qiWUFtB2TTm2lX_eVpRUtPG82iEZePTXJHFfp14BQpgzWjy-jg3AvOg8FKwWtxctkumO-Mqu61J4ZzNlDuBNqgMojQ/s4032/IMG_3922.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFb1hczWhEESKXgRr062aQTU-cLGBxAgxeOto7wWBaMxk2g2fajmj5LbhEVw-SGICul-BlX4oPhQ3WwYY-XDrF474lz5BGN28qiWUFtB2TTm2lX_eVpRUtPG82iEZePTXJHFfp14BQpgzWjy-jg3AvOg8FKwWtxctkumO-Mqu61J4ZzNlDuBNqgMojQ/w480-h640/IMG_3922.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Along the route, there were plenty of lovely colonial era buildings but none more impressive than St George’s Cathedral. Built in 1892, it is said to be the world’s tallest wooden building. It’s not, as of 2019, that title belongs to Mjostarnet in Norway but I heard the claim enough times to believe that it has to be at least in the top ten.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sfrXLe9nNmCIIKpVqKOst47k_QRj8fYvIsPowETyJM2-MskKz781SPWOqjWGp52YjACKFqNj-UolkYSUClDj-9rmXXsce0D9Fn7U30wElD0lfKfG7UmN6xrjF-FrqgJw508yKQK0EwEiCmqMTL__ghpq2ESzAwvF-4boo8YovxTS5wfMmL3N65HNFg/s4032/IMG_3943.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sfrXLe9nNmCIIKpVqKOst47k_QRj8fYvIsPowETyJM2-MskKz781SPWOqjWGp52YjACKFqNj-UolkYSUClDj-9rmXXsce0D9Fn7U30wElD0lfKfG7UmN6xrjF-FrqgJw508yKQK0EwEiCmqMTL__ghpq2ESzAwvF-4boo8YovxTS5wfMmL3N65HNFg/w640-h480/IMG_3943.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZClDjvWZImOsa5OKVyWQljajngT94WgXXA5alBNOIG5sprm1_Rleh8SiAWOxQwk8WHaFKS-DZWHMDQfxc1bH01omUCr8ffBjSyFJbwcOL2_FnjGbVUeEJ_CQRwIiDsYssx6dt2CPPcBcQUPrWEizX4LnVYvXWoRjKkWvFhPkoapD7_ziQQ6UIg2tLiw/s4032/IMG_3904.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZClDjvWZImOsa5OKVyWQljajngT94WgXXA5alBNOIG5sprm1_Rleh8SiAWOxQwk8WHaFKS-DZWHMDQfxc1bH01omUCr8ffBjSyFJbwcOL2_FnjGbVUeEJ_CQRwIiDsYssx6dt2CPPcBcQUPrWEizX4LnVYvXWoRjKkWvFhPkoapD7_ziQQ6UIg2tLiw/w640-h480/IMG_3904.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6CEJnRem7JEWwo0LnA9Cg2gxYll--LyogQju6L8zWgVrt6QY2jNZ2gWdT3DfVDOEZNF51S9eU071u5xR8uRkkfapHJUIWM4vr26O6rWHxsdoumSn4ZwVCGqM9Uc0y9RvkGBt7kxHX5DJGzauG3O53Ph1hHIFZBcb1gGzhY8Bb8xMkCJGwkWrPv0kQ/s3623/IMG_3947.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3623" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe6CEJnRem7JEWwo0LnA9Cg2gxYll--LyogQju6L8zWgVrt6QY2jNZ2gWdT3DfVDOEZNF51S9eU071u5xR8uRkkfapHJUIWM4vr26O6rWHxsdoumSn4ZwVCGqM9Uc0y9RvkGBt7kxHX5DJGzauG3O53Ph1hHIFZBcb1gGzhY8Bb8xMkCJGwkWrPv0kQ/w640-h460/IMG_3947.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Possibly the World's Tallest Wooden Church</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop was the Botanical Garden, a lovely park frequented by manatee. They may not be strolling along the well-maintained paths but they are known to hang out in the canals. That wasn’t the case on this particular Sunday morning but it was worth the stop nevertheless.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYojzmo5G9HfSEy2JbhLA_k4dTM8HiLUywBCK7VDZa1z5EJNvJ6uB1uSE8BqcoZkiaCl20yi-5O3Gyjay0SHvuqwiyj0uve9xUXQi4hlWhbVBaQELNMKhzRu8SmrmPSLcWrqjgE5BWB86S3YxHPHvaUXPGB_ULUdsFemBfVkbtkMXeSVQ5DddxMZ88w/s4032/IMG_3951.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYojzmo5G9HfSEy2JbhLA_k4dTM8HiLUywBCK7VDZa1z5EJNvJ6uB1uSE8BqcoZkiaCl20yi-5O3Gyjay0SHvuqwiyj0uve9xUXQi4hlWhbVBaQELNMKhzRu8SmrmPSLcWrqjgE5BWB86S3YxHPHvaUXPGB_ULUdsFemBfVkbtkMXeSVQ5DddxMZ88w/w640-h480/IMG_3951.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd209clG68yvzC10RKekm0ZnKwb4MQ4sPDwsly-hQh3-T7V7On91LqvIQFgfafFwExr8u0NBLkA_iGOQgYY4zW5z3VwBrpvMyfZ8KJs6gGB0ge3f6N0jmWKEbcNb-woM4_mYA58W50g7U6w907nNeBzmClcllHxqT5Jaigj0Q7Tgb4BtfulNP_PYP2A/s4032/IMG_3954.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd209clG68yvzC10RKekm0ZnKwb4MQ4sPDwsly-hQh3-T7V7On91LqvIQFgfafFwExr8u0NBLkA_iGOQgYY4zW5z3VwBrpvMyfZ8KJs6gGB0ge3f6N0jmWKEbcNb-woM4_mYA58W50g7U6w907nNeBzmClcllHxqT5Jaigj0Q7Tgb4BtfulNP_PYP2A/w640-h480/IMG_3954.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdNpvycZHel7r7Xy1XSVjisTJSeOGRuQHILZr9zmc7HZgbDzku7guJn_qXfnqzqrDYtQkOP6DRP8HfGT4z-YAbjV2hYGtysZopYFoRLT9kA7-rUCMQPxdueHjc6_xOx_SONWQv-D9cDucihRGjMgiSQDdnL2EhO1WSuZTKno_qk3zjVdOezPDxUmXEg/s4032/IMG_3961.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdNpvycZHel7r7Xy1XSVjisTJSeOGRuQHILZr9zmc7HZgbDzku7guJn_qXfnqzqrDYtQkOP6DRP8HfGT4z-YAbjV2hYGtysZopYFoRLT9kA7-rUCMQPxdueHjc6_xOx_SONWQv-D9cDucihRGjMgiSQDdnL2EhO1WSuZTKno_qk3zjVdOezPDxUmXEg/w640-h480/IMG_3961.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The park is also home to the Place of the Seven Ponds, a monument honoring a number of Guyanese heroes buried on the grounds.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDAjdH8epw7sPkLfrxrq92hG4rlKyWGlNGkdG6l8IwVSsA3IAllqxNmqNBXaweBfvnBz5PB9iqi1oSq7GY7feURaQJLF2EdG4Sd-hdhAvg20sH439MQhwBH5HBwUx4_X1C5ffYU113B8Qwux6_rAQ6nK52FqrrGHCfrYOX7YToLQ9DmSQRvSRWMNAgQ/s4032/IMG_3964.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDAjdH8epw7sPkLfrxrq92hG4rlKyWGlNGkdG6l8IwVSsA3IAllqxNmqNBXaweBfvnBz5PB9iqi1oSq7GY7feURaQJLF2EdG4Sd-hdhAvg20sH439MQhwBH5HBwUx4_X1C5ffYU113B8Qwux6_rAQ6nK52FqrrGHCfrYOX7YToLQ9DmSQRvSRWMNAgQ/w640-h480/IMG_3964.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had already covered a lot but thanks to the relatively compact size of the city, we still had time for one last stop at the 1763 Monument, commemorating a slave rebellion that was a major part of the country’s anti-colonial struggles.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLb6lDmVnRgJKSIDDaG6IvHGurZr-WkNfvvlgmXbyzvQaU31x-fGLVsI5J5EwrqwHnU2ybzU5AzV6jiNzp6fgQTrLXIM1U7Nys7rdPnqLic7PTrvExUs5UHy1JeTTtgGuCceJfYw3IkyIFXLptpYH8I0re-DlTFmVwVvCiLtv2mk44K2k_Y0dPwqSyg/s4032/IMG_3977.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLb6lDmVnRgJKSIDDaG6IvHGurZr-WkNfvvlgmXbyzvQaU31x-fGLVsI5J5EwrqwHnU2ybzU5AzV6jiNzp6fgQTrLXIM1U7Nys7rdPnqLic7PTrvExUs5UHy1JeTTtgGuCceJfYw3IkyIFXLptpYH8I0re-DlTFmVwVvCiLtv2mk44K2k_Y0dPwqSyg/w480-h640/IMG_3977.HEIC" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The time had flown by. I had only two hours remaining in this lovely country. It was not enough but then again it never is. I was just grateful I had gotten to see as much as I had. As far as quickies go, this one had been </span>surprisingly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> satisfying.</span></p><a name='more'></a>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-63884272917270568742023-05-31T15:45:00.006-05:002023-06-01T14:42:12.460-05:00Philadelphia: A tale of 72 hours, 33 miles and 4 national park sites<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAbURaiAhZ2hepZ67vkfDeNWO_Bl1jKE9jEfTMW_GKlb3Sv4sl3Ir4YDUbH7Jssz5RVEMozMAFhRso0PASr-7ooDBGp_0yjSfMSxuOkiXlcX1wghH9kYgiqRj3uT_4eu9gHe5jvCIwUAtMs1ChQdVqoya0Jjs61pVDCzS8okjL3Y8WkHnZNklsyjOnQ/s4032/IMG_3598.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAbURaiAhZ2hepZ67vkfDeNWO_Bl1jKE9jEfTMW_GKlb3Sv4sl3Ir4YDUbH7Jssz5RVEMozMAFhRso0PASr-7ooDBGp_0yjSfMSxuOkiXlcX1wghH9kYgiqRj3uT_4eu9gHe5jvCIwUAtMs1ChQdVqoya0Jjs61pVDCzS8okjL3Y8WkHnZNklsyjOnQ/w480-h640/IMG_3598.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When: Memorial Day Weekend 2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where: Downtown Philadelphia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What: (to do) Lace up them sneakers and hit the town running cuz there's lots to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been to Philly before, many times. I've been to all the major tourist sites, drank at the <a href="https://mcgillins.com/history/">oldest bar</a>, eaten a vegetarian cheesesteak at Reading Market, driven out to Amish country and even ended up on stage (and in a tour bus) with the emo band <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuv_TB_XR2c">Dashboard Confessional</a>. So what made this visit different? This time, I had in my hot little hands, a US National Park passport just itching for some stamps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've mentioned before how much I like the National Parks app and its 'parks near me' feature. I like it even more when it gives me four historic sites all within a 30 minute walk from my Rittenhouse Square hotel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first up was the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/edal/planyourvisit/index.htm">Edgar Allan Poe house</a>. Poe lived in Philly for six years and for exactly one of those (1843-44), he lived in this house. Where was he the other five years? No clue. Is this the best preserved of all the houses? Perhaps, particularly if you are going for a creepy dilapidated feel and don't happen to have a single item owned by the man. Does the display delve into how he moved there because he thought the home's generous sun exposure would help with his wife's tuberculosis but kind of gloss over that said wife was 13 and his first cousin when they married. Mmm hmm. Stop one could have been a total bust but for the one constant in all the parks, the rangers. If there is a more dedicated, enthusiastic and patient bunch of federal employees in the entire system, they remain remarkably well-hidden. This particular ranger was leading hourly readings of Poe's work, staged beneath a giant sculpture of a raven. How dedicated was this man to the task at hand? He not only explained that the poem <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48634/eldorado-56d22a0920778">El Dorado</a> was meant to be read in the cadence of hoofsteps, he had coconut shells to provide the accompanying sound effects. His reading was by far the best thing about stop #1. And the stamp, let's not forget the stamp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VSmRuTMMriLZfI_62WN2CXgLjJLSBgmK_cEsBcVWMe8hD_8fm0uM1MyGURkgPCM_qqjsk-txSR8oaF0H9XbI8jJK-lMFQiEsKSWjoRUarosBFHpVlqnssCoonu_U1DTVAe-wncUWlaT9dsLAy2G3IJ1JzzkMgt-Oy2Ju8C4031Q5fIhqeLS1PDI-yQ/s4032/IMG_3604.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VSmRuTMMriLZfI_62WN2CXgLjJLSBgmK_cEsBcVWMe8hD_8fm0uM1MyGURkgPCM_qqjsk-txSR8oaF0H9XbI8jJK-lMFQiEsKSWjoRUarosBFHpVlqnssCoonu_U1DTVAe-wncUWlaT9dsLAy2G3IJ1JzzkMgt-Oy2Ju8C4031Q5fIhqeLS1PDI-yQ/w640-h480/IMG_3604.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VMhMSTOB4_7lTPO2RX4dwtCG0Cm7g30SHdN-vqrp6eyxfw799dHfID1_Y4shASMci9XRj4spWPDRBTD6d9vGpM5PW2skhYBbXflbcSyr5ZEhLAg0FX-TBhQ8jOHKJD6DX1ctnKFEsa2akigK-BQXydqPjOXpBoIPMzLOidP5Oo3w3GEpuKIvIHV90w/s4032/IMG_3607.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VMhMSTOB4_7lTPO2RX4dwtCG0Cm7g30SHdN-vqrp6eyxfw799dHfID1_Y4shASMci9XRj4spWPDRBTD6d9vGpM5PW2skhYBbXflbcSyr5ZEhLAg0FX-TBhQ8jOHKJD6DX1ctnKFEsa2akigK-BQXydqPjOXpBoIPMzLOidP5Oo3w3GEpuKIvIHV90w/w480-h640/IMG_3607.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnZ9V9Er8Kgyw0v_zZvweA-ekLQa2qhRKNDiKOaZ65bgP11KuhquFMTYcQqB-vi2Yb_HGQRXEsondPJuoEroFUo-hXvAYBnMmlGssRXUxzQ0hueBts3FarfoeBjULM8MDc8cjcQmEHalvS4qAodHbHqRxQPf8A3iAkWLsGPyTw5hjJB0vDNUNFQpUQ/s4032/IMG_3610.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnZ9V9Er8Kgyw0v_zZvweA-ekLQa2qhRKNDiKOaZ65bgP11KuhquFMTYcQqB-vi2Yb_HGQRXEsondPJuoEroFUo-hXvAYBnMmlGssRXUxzQ0hueBts3FarfoeBjULM8MDc8cjcQmEHalvS4qAodHbHqRxQPf8A3iAkWLsGPyTw5hjJB0vDNUNFQpUQ/w480-h640/IMG_3610.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kNCJFvhVbV8sgeNWP27d155iHJt-ZQtXnyUaDhNiSxFH6KpEy9CVfjLGoRIaHaacrnv8S_L-KcNYlnVr4SHzcdekcqxjOMC8xIO_xDm3oH6p1Hji9jtNYnVUCPr4AdnZ5fYmOL7AEGAhhBk8A0lNIlKP_ObDLdH-80_4NGd0EEqwvjSxHxUh9dn5Aw/s4032/IMG_3611.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kNCJFvhVbV8sgeNWP27d155iHJt-ZQtXnyUaDhNiSxFH6KpEy9CVfjLGoRIaHaacrnv8S_L-KcNYlnVr4SHzcdekcqxjOMC8xIO_xDm3oH6p1Hji9jtNYnVUCPr4AdnZ5fYmOL7AEGAhhBk8A0lNIlKP_ObDLdH-80_4NGd0EEqwvjSxHxUh9dn5Aw/w640-h480/IMG_3611.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb--zkX4FQoDF7SMGSazGJotnIcqVh3bhTm0LxyP3PSZL8r-BQjilYAWeCo9_zP_9IHLOKcfxXMpBoDzP5I8k2zMuhnoKgIcPGjucTyZUIpgfYEgMrMEzpk9xg4a3X7jcDTWMEnEA5uNRcvmzasCkJJXiiMLxet4PK7bV_TBJsh2sgrzvSZDOetYjVw/s4032/IMG_3612.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb--zkX4FQoDF7SMGSazGJotnIcqVh3bhTm0LxyP3PSZL8r-BQjilYAWeCo9_zP_9IHLOKcfxXMpBoDzP5I8k2zMuhnoKgIcPGjucTyZUIpgfYEgMrMEzpk9xg4a3X7jcDTWMEnEA5uNRcvmzasCkJJXiiMLxet4PK7bV_TBJsh2sgrzvSZDOetYjVw/w640-h480/IMG_3612.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stroll over to stop #2 led me past the oldest continuously inhabited block in the US because of course it did. Everything in downtown Philly has history and an accompanying plaque to point it out. See that ATM? Ben Franklin stopped there to get some cash on his way to the kite store. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT934s74RkbindmsADtbbNuCBGzirUQuY80iIDwnjE3uPVHThAgxMDOh5fEqPHlVIkYAXGvM74EA4sqqHrV1fwq7eiYJo3fJBZZ_NnezTNVQVxhO7IUYN5ZBorbrinNd_MI-K1tnswVSI1vrfkgn9Xlznhmw_fONVqOcWw9on2GcB1cvQF0VWBO-xfw/s4032/IMG_3619.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT934s74RkbindmsADtbbNuCBGzirUQuY80iIDwnjE3uPVHThAgxMDOh5fEqPHlVIkYAXGvM74EA4sqqHrV1fwq7eiYJo3fJBZZ_NnezTNVQVxhO7IUYN5ZBorbrinNd_MI-K1tnswVSI1vrfkgn9Xlznhmw_fONVqOcWw9on2GcB1cvQF0VWBO-xfw/w480-h640/IMG_3619.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3VZsSugYzXnisrCOsDMGhLo8cpHLYii6dUykdPuuMDNa6Oyzpo-BeWb7UaYuK0WMM9PZ__F6oJ4NLtJkWOKHcFRoHdQXkCRCGd3RVupchK-BeLct0hUYJuEcdVP5cZzMN9bpc-GqXF7yS0axtQE0FvOliU7zcWzNjg_JTwYs0zDXwp5xGe3GrSQCdg/s4032/IMG_3623.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3VZsSugYzXnisrCOsDMGhLo8cpHLYii6dUykdPuuMDNa6Oyzpo-BeWb7UaYuK0WMM9PZ__F6oJ4NLtJkWOKHcFRoHdQXkCRCGd3RVupchK-BeLct0hUYJuEcdVP5cZzMN9bpc-GqXF7yS0axtQE0FvOliU7zcWzNjg_JTwYs0zDXwp5xGe3GrSQCdg/w480-h640/IMG_3623.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKNFE7W8wUUrQNISpP6FF-ZC7YjFUdCnI8A0z6FH_CuxwakZrsHDtOY0HYMUnKBh07JX-SA6vasGG1yWSF3gmne6pGO7mtzsVVh2wzdLlMdPCkLNuxOjwyrRcB9oVSRNn3LUR0vLdT9AsiOjnQsua8VovG0oIA52UzNbACQUUbz26tA8o6aI_OAqxZA/s4032/IMG_3626.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKNFE7W8wUUrQNISpP6FF-ZC7YjFUdCnI8A0z6FH_CuxwakZrsHDtOY0HYMUnKBh07JX-SA6vasGG1yWSF3gmne6pGO7mtzsVVh2wzdLlMdPCkLNuxOjwyrRcB9oVSRNn3LUR0vLdT9AsiOjnQsua8VovG0oIA52UzNbACQUUbz26tA8o6aI_OAqxZA/w480-h640/IMG_3626.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFq2mEG12WXE3dMERxIgUH-GZMpKZb4PN_TMOLku3oz-2_jxEEyIiySqtYIJocJL6i5sXp4xG-sSRd3zyoxElV7bDjZs4FO9sPz7yHnqBFxXIG6GfOCGgslJZ2OVueYcmJIXojpBE69P4R__cGE6x2pDhtmwbw_uUo8l3WjRKULRQVqKavy9YpD-A9g/s4032/IMG_3627.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFq2mEG12WXE3dMERxIgUH-GZMpKZb4PN_TMOLku3oz-2_jxEEyIiySqtYIJocJL6i5sXp4xG-sSRd3zyoxElV7bDjZs4FO9sPz7yHnqBFxXIG6GfOCGgslJZ2OVueYcmJIXojpBE69P4R__cGE6x2pDhtmwbw_uUo8l3WjRKULRQVqKavy9YpD-A9g/w480-h640/IMG_3627.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was actually quite excited about the second stop. Not so much because I had always dreamt of seeing the rooming house where Polish general Thaddeus Kosciuszko resided for a year but more because of its unique distinction within the National Park system. Coming in at .02 acres, it the smallest site run by NPS. For comparison, the largest is Wrangall-St Elias Nat'l Park in Alaska at a whopping 13.2 million acres.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDSyhjs6dT1XNgf5G93DSZMyj6hA7otsjTjhTRpHVnHv7_b-pMWuGkftxoIV7xlZwG0NT6tsmUG1whWU-tpOrBizczGyARIiNvyddXNKmDbWgMhMlmim4zKAcVnXepRFP2sbJOqxESBRdy0gknAUehE3xS7QWTtgACSVye4uDejXeJvDSxqRP--6Esw/s4032/IMG_3642.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDSyhjs6dT1XNgf5G93DSZMyj6hA7otsjTjhTRpHVnHv7_b-pMWuGkftxoIV7xlZwG0NT6tsmUG1whWU-tpOrBizczGyARIiNvyddXNKmDbWgMhMlmim4zKAcVnXepRFP2sbJOqxESBRdy0gknAUehE3xS7QWTtgACSVye4uDejXeJvDSxqRP--6Esw/w480-h640/IMG_3642.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr3mO-x2ez-zHuC5JjclM4UIKgMC8m-lzkfUha6kpYYU-eXQHi4-0K3W_wKhlngkDTcX9qMrASmjOOoF-ykefnOoODlfINF7HFPJwz4sZc1t4rOQjiLi9ojy8J4B6PsxATKWdv_iuCdH3GMMEOGaKfciUb4VP8vw6Nr0qcboRdFQ-44hkZkU8CXAUig/s4032/IMG_3650.HEIC" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr3mO-x2ez-zHuC5JjclM4UIKgMC8m-lzkfUha6kpYYU-eXQHi4-0K3W_wKhlngkDTcX9qMrASmjOOoF-ykefnOoODlfINF7HFPJwz4sZc1t4rOQjiLi9ojy8J4B6PsxATKWdv_iuCdH3GMMEOGaKfciUb4VP8vw6Nr0qcboRdFQ-44hkZkU8CXAUig/w480-h640/IMG_3650.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>If I'm being honest, I had never heard of Thaddeus K or his military acumen during the revolutionary war. Had it not been for the lure of the stamp, I probably never would have stepped foot into this humble house but this is where the NPS really does excel. Through well-thought out displays, they painted a vivid picture of bright strategist who was gifted at reading topography and using it to his military advantage. He is credited with saving West Point and then taking that revolutionary zeal back to Poland to try to free his country from the Russians. He ultimately failed and returned to the US, moving into this small room where he hosted visits from Thomas Jefferson and Chief Little Turtle. And if that wasn't enough, he was a staunch abolitionist who left his estate to the purpose of freeing as many slaves as possible. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA-9zi2boYRx7WEOeEIN_PGj0eT3uqBU-Za4sLikHKZ4I4If19V0P5HdgCay3GWwWtvwiPviixpAmRjhdwpqa_1veQLz-rXwZTuMORkKARyU4LlHnXjDJEQSSdG1cNGArvbbYQGEPDbwbVwY9Gl221HQG9bU6UPJCvhSBgIsDOSHnSL3feInmaU2ACw/s4032/IMG_3643.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA-9zi2boYRx7WEOeEIN_PGj0eT3uqBU-Za4sLikHKZ4I4If19V0P5HdgCay3GWwWtvwiPviixpAmRjhdwpqa_1veQLz-rXwZTuMORkKARyU4LlHnXjDJEQSSdG1cNGArvbbYQGEPDbwbVwY9Gl221HQG9bU6UPJCvhSBgIsDOSHnSL3feInmaU2ACw/w480-h640/IMG_3643.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Continuing on my stamp quest, I headed to what is definitely the most overwhelming of Philly's NPS sites. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm">Independence National Historic Park</a> covers a lot. There's the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall which is the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed; Old City Hall, which houses the first Supreme Court, a visitor center/ gift shop the size of a suburban mall, people walking around in period costume. Add to the confusion the fact that some rooms require reservations, others don't. It's a lot, a lot. I didn't attempt to cover it all at once but just kept hitting up different parts whenever I was in the area. Because of its central location and the fact that I spent the entire time walking to and fro- 33 miles in 3 days- this was actually pretty easy to do. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD0AQN86z9ufrBaU1wScAFS7rSqD1xpgFPo8nnFumZEl8A8PcizFWASnf-1wzrYpTgthlYAhXCYKu7S1SElIM4Adf7rzkmnc0_mVGtfNKOFVvIU4bRByZ4YRPBPDaPnIY8IUDp_GAYEnnPbZBzJhbJkm7b0HirgcVezbeuozMs-XDvFffgpstZ-ukDA/s4032/IMG_3641.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD0AQN86z9ufrBaU1wScAFS7rSqD1xpgFPo8nnFumZEl8A8PcizFWASnf-1wzrYpTgthlYAhXCYKu7S1SElIM4Adf7rzkmnc0_mVGtfNKOFVvIU4bRByZ4YRPBPDaPnIY8IUDp_GAYEnnPbZBzJhbJkm7b0HirgcVezbeuozMs-XDvFffgpstZ-ukDA/w640-h480/IMG_3641.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCIUyO5cDpespE_vtEdhgzcTAEBHOKg3m4SuUJNkDcFNUHfy7IQ3iRDis6qNuPPRYDWaYUH_rWCTP0FsD_Gy8zDJBPOESKUHL9yitQwqQHzEAGHLovc7_w9NLLYqQ5oE_zbs5jr2VyN2opHlyWVZZB2BOduKdY4i0pFCvLkE60HA2m_UztWKAZNV7_A/s4032/IMG_3659.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCIUyO5cDpespE_vtEdhgzcTAEBHOKg3m4SuUJNkDcFNUHfy7IQ3iRDis6qNuPPRYDWaYUH_rWCTP0FsD_Gy8zDJBPOESKUHL9yitQwqQHzEAGHLovc7_w9NLLYqQ5oE_zbs5jr2VyN2opHlyWVZZB2BOduKdY4i0pFCvLkE60HA2m_UztWKAZNV7_A/w480-h640/IMG_3659.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNq_JQam6cpAQO7Sk2ikz4u7U8f1nISzoV5AUcT9jxXEM-sH9Voyi2PpABzNQ8O5VaaPpXWzEvHO-3znCVCfV3HFBtNqrhCCWxDTbpPsxkQe8hwQUzsErteyAyvqsh_bZFqclOJMNybpDc6Uz8X_vFE7k3-BrJpq7lHp8KZN6Id9g8lDfvGahFO-dtA/s4032/IMG_3667.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNq_JQam6cpAQO7Sk2ikz4u7U8f1nISzoV5AUcT9jxXEM-sH9Voyi2PpABzNQ8O5VaaPpXWzEvHO-3znCVCfV3HFBtNqrhCCWxDTbpPsxkQe8hwQUzsErteyAyvqsh_bZFqclOJMNybpDc6Uz8X_vFE7k3-BrJpq7lHp8KZN6Id9g8lDfvGahFO-dtA/w480-h640/IMG_3667.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22-QDP8MaehleXWtkd2lZJUQmrEnJqH9GGg4gN95gTpBMHh-7mbM9GGXkfG8h9-bo1C2wd8kyg9w9f6WFGOPaFjkaC_hNsxaQhG3PUDZ4DknPA95dZpRRyJxdGywJKcw_hp-btFThLVb4cd8MEzuxeX_5e8o1OaZqQCvSEDbMp8RU-TOVCv9sgR4zGA/s4032/IMG_3687.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22-QDP8MaehleXWtkd2lZJUQmrEnJqH9GGg4gN95gTpBMHh-7mbM9GGXkfG8h9-bo1C2wd8kyg9w9f6WFGOPaFjkaC_hNsxaQhG3PUDZ4DknPA95dZpRRyJxdGywJKcw_hp-btFThLVb4cd8MEzuxeX_5e8o1OaZqQCvSEDbMp8RU-TOVCv9sgR4zGA/w480-h640/IMG_3687.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacIfQGBsnGAgTyzb3MnHWlam7PhqDq5Tqu5HeHM7RHDOZSgf8xM3HFceSyILVnG_b6KmMR6_dExPJrY2yFzn9l_6JqkJ28AfiEaMCkYZLb4QQXANTvNuVye4Vz3dghbiybSM8OyRY1LvpUPtf9nimdTAjlTldkotYIeqXuTfedA9x8dmI6CfwMmSeRw/s4032/IMG_3688.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacIfQGBsnGAgTyzb3MnHWlam7PhqDq5Tqu5HeHM7RHDOZSgf8xM3HFceSyILVnG_b6KmMR6_dExPJrY2yFzn9l_6JqkJ28AfiEaMCkYZLb4QQXANTvNuVye4Vz3dghbiybSM8OyRY1LvpUPtf9nimdTAjlTldkotYIeqXuTfedA9x8dmI6CfwMmSeRw/w640-h480/IMG_3688.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IATohNFYOlucdxMjeqraVePY9Jwnyx2I0xpD7yLdQ55i6KsbnSXTuWbEiA_CHmUJmqC8F1SevcoHwEfUvpE9IdKaY9D9PfCfIm_d9w5FxeIQJGHUPKdLJ2M5GofEhEmf-7-eU6mM4st-4o-875RofFvN91cP7fNTbexq4qKANRldeQ8nfd4X4gL4VQ/s4032/IMG_3689.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IATohNFYOlucdxMjeqraVePY9Jwnyx2I0xpD7yLdQ55i6KsbnSXTuWbEiA_CHmUJmqC8F1SevcoHwEfUvpE9IdKaY9D9PfCfIm_d9w5FxeIQJGHUPKdLJ2M5GofEhEmf-7-eU6mM4st-4o-875RofFvN91cP7fNTbexq4qKANRldeQ8nfd4X4gL4VQ/w640-h480/IMG_3689.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqF-IuezhhO5V2RiVdqdsb4Qal27nw78i2NVI7R_DoOW5Ih89sSIYu8kHmH7AmWa7NtvrdyV18DhsBM2axdK5nsAu5YgwQCSUDRN7pw-wBnLvCIa9EVTh6IBeMIVXhpL68WI1OqwQVws2a252O1O4n-J3R_N7DUK73HE9JqDdcoBxjrOX9J0tNkrKBg/s4032/IMG_3685.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqF-IuezhhO5V2RiVdqdsb4Qal27nw78i2NVI7R_DoOW5Ih89sSIYu8kHmH7AmWa7NtvrdyV18DhsBM2axdK5nsAu5YgwQCSUDRN7pw-wBnLvCIa9EVTh6IBeMIVXhpL68WI1OqwQVws2a252O1O4n-J3R_N7DUK73HE9JqDdcoBxjrOX9J0tNkrKBg/w480-h640/IMG_3685.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPTUWjF5Rm9j2Wfuum7DVJl9MK8feYoA0hrA2Dy1vSwGz2QiGIVtbCjRIWfsyb4Wg6UlJOjh_rK4W2tClXfMi7Mi-ChOfNQMLI4hGzzxPFbItgKTM-PpHtKxpAqZ7TWIclJn35cLNGQ5MxJlhq-fgxmkghKOvC9jZkR4dvvyZ58J5AI72mEtD1pYDmA/s4032/IMG_3695.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPTUWjF5Rm9j2Wfuum7DVJl9MK8feYoA0hrA2Dy1vSwGz2QiGIVtbCjRIWfsyb4Wg6UlJOjh_rK4W2tClXfMi7Mi-ChOfNQMLI4hGzzxPFbItgKTM-PpHtKxpAqZ7TWIclJn35cLNGQ5MxJlhq-fgxmkghKOvC9jZkR4dvvyZ58J5AI72mEtD1pYDmA/w640-h480/IMG_3695.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Supreme Court</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELbFFNTwLMJ2iNTC2VKEZtFZGlpLwsfaY7FayZM-N4IeYamvtyAlqsXrVOBgOPdHRXJlKEGnwq-ZNt8zjB89zMIjZZikuvgdiHCG0IXnDvSOz9-Ef4i6UkHyDRjqY7J_2pC5gJOqgkqpQCluAKCxd8fgSKF2ZW374VB0YgzoMuYQHtS_cy2Co8Pfw0A/s4032/IMG_3715.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELbFFNTwLMJ2iNTC2VKEZtFZGlpLwsfaY7FayZM-N4IeYamvtyAlqsXrVOBgOPdHRXJlKEGnwq-ZNt8zjB89zMIjZZikuvgdiHCG0IXnDvSOz9-Ef4i6UkHyDRjqY7J_2pC5gJOqgkqpQCluAKCxd8fgSKF2ZW374VB0YgzoMuYQHtS_cy2Co8Pfw0A/w640-h480/IMG_3715.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Hall aka The Room Where it Happened</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The last NPS site was much simpler to navigate, yet not without its challenges. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/glde/index.htm">Gloria Dei Church</a> is the oldest church in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest in the country. Built between 1698-1700, it is also one of last remaining links to the short lived time that area was known as New Sweden. So what could be difficult about a pretty church with a cemetary in its front yard? The problem is that I was visiting on a Sunday afternoon as a service was taking place. Aside from the requisite concern about the walls bleeding whenever I enter a place of worship, there was a larger issue at hand. I could not find the stinking stamp pad. This church is about 1.5 miles from everything. I had walked there specifically for that stamp and the preacher wasn't pausing for any kind of question and answer session. As he droned on, I was becoming increasingly distraught. Eventually, I decided I would head out to the cemetery and wait him out. Thankfully, the property's caretakers came along and led me back into the church where the stamp was tucked in with hymnals and other religious paraphernalia. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcw7iqSxbgLUl1pBpnPQyVKwrCcJvDBZSUTjmx0DArbAVFV8ZmeXzJc5yieQcOdQ3fm9ueumG5zQY58UlBJv-B9ERk1xUR5FWPnSaPlvQJOox_GI63XO_HVvcK4Qs2_JoqUjfMrxHZ2Vu_5YAMax2V9UUz-sYJUjjRn_IhcKvv4mo3cnytnNPEQgU9A/s4032/IMG_3679.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcw7iqSxbgLUl1pBpnPQyVKwrCcJvDBZSUTjmx0DArbAVFV8ZmeXzJc5yieQcOdQ3fm9ueumG5zQY58UlBJv-B9ERk1xUR5FWPnSaPlvQJOox_GI63XO_HVvcK4Qs2_JoqUjfMrxHZ2Vu_5YAMax2V9UUz-sYJUjjRn_IhcKvv4mo3cnytnNPEQgU9A/w480-h640/IMG_3679.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgcop6UbbV2o48qMAE2Qy5rGhF6PCJmb8evJKgh3431GYeeQH8zYNL7nvIrq6UT--l-k85yROB2Kbq0sSR9sNpKsWiWDo5aJre_u7j9horda76x2X5xuJGzzu7c_Z1DvRr6SqWnaCJYnqwSBCGM-QQLA6LMVCkwtziHMxq5Qqovpt-hUB3cIj-tiwDA/s4032/IMG_3678.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgcop6UbbV2o48qMAE2Qy5rGhF6PCJmb8evJKgh3431GYeeQH8zYNL7nvIrq6UT--l-k85yROB2Kbq0sSR9sNpKsWiWDo5aJre_u7j9horda76x2X5xuJGzzu7c_Z1DvRr6SqWnaCJYnqwSBCGM-QQLA6LMVCkwtziHMxq5Qqovpt-hUB3cIj-tiwDA/w640-h480/IMG_3678.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuRULvdVDeLCN4wE4o8wEDV5jdZulo5B55nzxcxM7WOjEWBHtSZ1819scf-p7LHAax5bzfWQAxTwpBTJ4YASG6f8F2hH8RIL2BASled7mmf78UTFPgILW0WPNMa5mUVlEwXxxbD2iWQaH79mc5lApDe7wmKDQdN5Hg8hsG1hoLFhfnF5CtjIgedeFuA/s4032/IMG_3676.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuRULvdVDeLCN4wE4o8wEDV5jdZulo5B55nzxcxM7WOjEWBHtSZ1819scf-p7LHAax5bzfWQAxTwpBTJ4YASG6f8F2hH8RIL2BASled7mmf78UTFPgILW0WPNMa5mUVlEwXxxbD2iWQaH79mc5lApDe7wmKDQdN5Hg8hsG1hoLFhfnF5CtjIgedeFuA/w640-h480/IMG_3676.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And there it was. 4 for 4. In between the stamps, there had been plenty of very cool public art...</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-FXjAwIojLkf10024_n9N0iuSuH02rRAaZCMBRsvcMyUbsjMGJEXRClFfbOcyAgeYwpaCQUxsqclc-52EM5rtx58phRNn6G86pOZuRiYtLNY1h7t-sBckIWf_rHRXOcGktiw_yizlpDuuc_SgeXTBRejoFalOJ0m0ZlZWcMYjyrKy0ZFpTnq61A6g/s4032/IMG_3596.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx-FXjAwIojLkf10024_n9N0iuSuH02rRAaZCMBRsvcMyUbsjMGJEXRClFfbOcyAgeYwpaCQUxsqclc-52EM5rtx58phRNn6G86pOZuRiYtLNY1h7t-sBckIWf_rHRXOcGktiw_yizlpDuuc_SgeXTBRejoFalOJ0m0ZlZWcMYjyrKy0ZFpTnq61A6g/w640-h480/IMG_3596.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtqhg2MJdgVrzwJoeXPJF-hCqYSra3NaMZrIM3Ll6NNuhWieykNMeGAD7wckileoiHpe5TxMbuSol4YYedIud1KX-UOmlcovgzMQYmnhdiB7UH3l87kFOyn6Ecb75zjam-Ba4sA0N_kU_xxroULA2qPk74d2wXdoxDyn6GBXjdZdRoTocvg_Ql13VJg/s4032/IMG_3766.HEIC" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtqhg2MJdgVrzwJoeXPJF-hCqYSra3NaMZrIM3Ll6NNuhWieykNMeGAD7wckileoiHpe5TxMbuSol4YYedIud1KX-UOmlcovgzMQYmnhdiB7UH3l87kFOyn6Ecb75zjam-Ba4sA0N_kU_xxroULA2qPk74d2wXdoxDyn6GBXjdZdRoTocvg_Ql13VJg/w480-h640/IMG_3766.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gvK7ds7hf5IUNlqMa7CGwdrclu2u2Ow_7LC2zIYzKB7TzOMFcGUga31TkxXjPZlWtWcufBkuVDiWjoKzn1-HjSlhZipDb59IAK1Iu8xLGMo-SiMfhIqRSYUCcR55yTjd02GkANJ0JsvyWhr06xQrC_a4Gj-l5S0O6q26zsuiWBJNWi-A1MwwS-iXvw/w640-h480/IMG_3669.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3pHbZdd4BQpOrGG0J1GPiJ3gpjkjVRjVb5oxCB-UHURMleyCZpXmXaSBXN6VbHG0yBYR2PabVNke7jH3dkirayv2uH9ROEf8jUvbl6pb8hOvLe3UR-lx1pvtS8aJ-cnniAbgp8zxjSZRqmO7f5I7hGMRnac_7aXjxw7ODwM4cyJ2s63WK1tbfC9Jow/s4032/IMG_3670.HEIC"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3pHbZdd4BQpOrGG0J1GPiJ3gpjkjVRjVb5oxCB-UHURMleyCZpXmXaSBXN6VbHG0yBYR2PabVNke7jH3dkirayv2uH9ROEf8jUvbl6pb8hOvLe3UR-lx1pvtS8aJ-cnniAbgp8zxjSZRqmO7f5I7hGMRnac_7aXjxw7ODwM4cyJ2s63WK1tbfC9Jow/w640-h480/IMG_3670.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_7b5QN1kt985LBJJGdLAL_FgZ1vQH0Ev0_-GIugJ0edmd_7ijQPGrUUAUielZH3a0SXrxMxQFn-QZEMNmpfh2zPewpNmTFNjVg0Ypls2tJpNtgdZYKtxlN7Y4STqDgkInNHWsSB_Q5uevEKx7Zs8Nicd77xPs8M0AyfCBUytlroeNxMeL8x3QFHWSg/s4032/IMG_3703.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_7b5QN1kt985LBJJGdLAL_FgZ1vQH0Ev0_-GIugJ0edmd_7ijQPGrUUAUielZH3a0SXrxMxQFn-QZEMNmpfh2zPewpNmTFNjVg0Ypls2tJpNtgdZYKtxlN7Y4STqDgkInNHWsSB_Q5uevEKx7Zs8Nicd77xPs8M0AyfCBUytlroeNxMeL8x3QFHWSg/w640-h480/IMG_3703.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And even a bar aboard an old ship that made the perfect stop for a celebratory drink.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSd1gPIw2nMNmcFEcjsDIr55qjNRdhVnZBGBpKcgW1-tg57BGAZ_LmUBCZeY5ZwwlYlU9_3mFDRCZ-DToBuRuwXamznbTJRgum7Arv3ynpfvwvKEy5aJasyNzq2Mg9G34MzPO7mHur9KLmrPmY0Q_vFWdCEOWsJYTOhHEoWDzuAVdGUWXwpM7s6EpSQ/s4032/IMG_3707.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSd1gPIw2nMNmcFEcjsDIr55qjNRdhVnZBGBpKcgW1-tg57BGAZ_LmUBCZeY5ZwwlYlU9_3mFDRCZ-DToBuRuwXamznbTJRgum7Arv3ynpfvwvKEy5aJasyNzq2Mg9G34MzPO7mHur9KLmrPmY0Q_vFWdCEOWsJYTOhHEoWDzuAVdGUWXwpM7s6EpSQ/w640-h480/IMG_3707.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7eDVmqo4jdYiJGIWt_7MdvdO3hEeTHXQEMoylM4idntWmE6GB-fQXdT8yh2JmCccndmH_j0HtjNMEVVDcCcjfuxt-z7d_NB6C3Q4VpRK5UdXjLW5B9m_PAd-keUnqR3qM8tymxdKLFB2pCoTKI_lTCT6up01A3mSGpVykKCkfZCvKTR5CdswAiXGVQ/s4032/IMG_3708.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7eDVmqo4jdYiJGIWt_7MdvdO3hEeTHXQEMoylM4idntWmE6GB-fQXdT8yh2JmCccndmH_j0HtjNMEVVDcCcjfuxt-z7d_NB6C3Q4VpRK5UdXjLW5B9m_PAd-keUnqR3qM8tymxdKLFB2pCoTKI_lTCT6up01A3mSGpVykKCkfZCvKTR5CdswAiXGVQ/w640-h480/IMG_3708.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uQFdKlhGxayYeHOPgNzX-wCHSO8mOW4Eq5FqiqI0OKhGCESLViFuFD_iFDhsfgVvgfZNEgUEj7jSWIY_UfkdF5GFMfvmMfGvX6JediDy4nmH7hvm4xT3zG20EUzXztLREWQFWpBwIlpdZIH6bSuf9i-kmmvBrdz1bwHwc0bpRA0t6stEsrgszu8dFg/s4032/IMG_3709.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uQFdKlhGxayYeHOPgNzX-wCHSO8mOW4Eq5FqiqI0OKhGCESLViFuFD_iFDhsfgVvgfZNEgUEj7jSWIY_UfkdF5GFMfvmMfGvX6JediDy4nmH7hvm4xT3zG20EUzXztLREWQFWpBwIlpdZIH6bSuf9i-kmmvBrdz1bwHwc0bpRA0t6stEsrgszu8dFg/w640-h480/IMG_3709.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvmRY0hVixAm4um_ZvP-_mwnQoePN2jxpDU9lVl29-S-COhFTMEvhdHQAP_88ACqFRmwBqgRWAxFXbGIN1-peELcqhHmG3B87oNjd6c1LvazMLM7mZwOycsfk3Nyd99hQiTbQN2lUQsjwgMQPE4RghKTJMbQw4MSBUo5SL5diyly3iS9HjPvJXFzqcg/s4032/IMG_3710.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvmRY0hVixAm4um_ZvP-_mwnQoePN2jxpDU9lVl29-S-COhFTMEvhdHQAP_88ACqFRmwBqgRWAxFXbGIN1-peELcqhHmG3B87oNjd6c1LvazMLM7mZwOycsfk3Nyd99hQiTbQN2lUQsjwgMQPE4RghKTJMbQw4MSBUo5SL5diyly3iS9HjPvJXFzqcg/w480-h640/IMG_3710.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>But the stars of the show had definitely been the National Park service, its app, those rock star rangers and those four new stamps, ink still drying in my passport book. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-5591042744579359362023-04-29T17:44:00.724-05:002023-05-12T13:32:25.131-05:00Country #122: St Vincent and a couple of the Grenadines<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisYXcjQynCNNeP9kdtH12oyhIXE4Dg6aQMrtA3Vs9ISWAuVGgEdYN_ws2Nt9P8qSlnFi0kFoPQPQG3FIeabkvKrvhscNths3_4J-U7W3lC3lwR12__EyLukwC5GgreyELxxKljM7Kw9kMqx2GH6lkQ-LRYqbNkppyONVetTE2lp-GzgjIu0AQbWlgUQ/s4032/IMG_3266.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisYXcjQynCNNeP9kdtH12oyhIXE4Dg6aQMrtA3Vs9ISWAuVGgEdYN_ws2Nt9P8qSlnFi0kFoPQPQG3FIeabkvKrvhscNths3_4J-U7W3lC3lwR12__EyLukwC5GgreyELxxKljM7Kw9kMqx2GH6lkQ-LRYqbNkppyONVetTE2lp-GzgjIu0AQbWlgUQ/w640-h480/IMG_3266.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've got a good thing going, why stop? That's the best way to sum up how I was feeling. I'd hit up two new countries, Dominica and Grenada, in the last 2 months and was quite happy with both the new tan and the increasing country count. Looking further into the Lesser Antilles, I honed my sights on St Vincent and the Grenadines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where Dominica is the nature isle and Grenada is the spice isle, St Vincent, or more specifically the Grenadines, is the haven of the haves. It is the place where the rich and famous go to hobnob with their brethrens. Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Tommy Hilfiger, Princess Margaret are just a few of the past and present homeowners. Bryan Adams is allegedly a resident too but I'm just not convinced that "Cuts like a knife" money actually buys a house here. He may be a squatter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Armed with this information, I reached out to my bougiest friend (in all the best ways) and set the plans for Country 122 in motion. We quickly determined that St Vincent's, home to the country's international airport, didn't really have enough to do/ see for for our 4 day visit. That left us with a bunch of Grenadine islands to choose from. Canouan, with its Madarin Oriental and SoHo House, was just stupid expensive. Same for Mustique, with its big name denizens. We eventually settled on Bequia (pronounced Beck-way) as the more reasonable alternative. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Getting there from St Vincent would be pretty simple, with numerous ferries departing from Kingston for the approx hour long ride. This was made even easier by the fact that, upon landing, we befriended Lars, a Swede who had been living in the country for decades. Not only did he know how to get around, he was willing to share some cool recommendations and a fair amount of the islands' gossip.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANN9cWb5eX2OO31ulVDm4SC0HSilrLT4hTtUBIlOUy8wXR42vVTAOc9jCIbhQo2EYSIY4L6O16XwJNCmCW_wmD-UVNbH5wmwSGk4mMPgYE-XHgPgLvMd-dhqp5oVLKnsiUnjgZK5Jri5W5tOKhsyc0qLRWphs_fIdhHdP24NkD6sM-CYAIRZTvitNKw/s4032/IMG_2953.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANN9cWb5eX2OO31ulVDm4SC0HSilrLT4hTtUBIlOUy8wXR42vVTAOc9jCIbhQo2EYSIY4L6O16XwJNCmCW_wmD-UVNbH5wmwSGk4mMPgYE-XHgPgLvMd-dhqp5oVLKnsiUnjgZK5Jri5W5tOKhsyc0qLRWphs_fIdhHdP24NkD6sM-CYAIRZTvitNKw/w640-h480/IMG_2953.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He was on his way to Mayreau but accompanied us as far as Bequia, where we were greeted by Glenn, manager of the lovely <a href="https://springhotelbequia.com/">Spring Hotel</a>. Yes, you read that correctly. I was staying in a hotel and not a hostel as I had been told, in no uncertain terms, that communal sleeping arrangements would not be permitted on this particular outing. That said, the welcome drink and spectacular hilltop views did ease the sting a bit.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2wCKS6o0QQUgsHII2YkyvU_UfcMCb_yvyhS7qCn7ajY1GnCgC-1UEl1vQ-0U-rrkpGfzw84n2VJwratdY1oZSCVZkLf8D0Tdx78LwGo086PdrGuGeof8SEs_wGy1-FRGs5_2zbWUURRQnb4__quHQc8FFLQrndgwZ1oYelOrVYy7ehadfI7FYbEz5Q/s4032/IMG_2957.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2wCKS6o0QQUgsHII2YkyvU_UfcMCb_yvyhS7qCn7ajY1GnCgC-1UEl1vQ-0U-rrkpGfzw84n2VJwratdY1oZSCVZkLf8D0Tdx78LwGo086PdrGuGeof8SEs_wGy1-FRGs5_2zbWUURRQnb4__quHQc8FFLQrndgwZ1oYelOrVYy7ehadfI7FYbEz5Q/w480-h640/IMG_2957.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctqwz-umIXGBmhlqvYiDXVzWniL9uf2UJqjTCzWeDyJGh2pP0XI-jD03joCm7vA1fKAA0wemDp-crXxbAoGVXP6ZIkpU06RoI7WM6PY2vyMohWv8IG3r91ZYC8fv5XR6bzstkYWaGzvsLtPBHullB1XvFvK5Gf8TBu33ojo6V2r0zN-qcwxHl_oLr3A/s4032/IMG_2975.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctqwz-umIXGBmhlqvYiDXVzWniL9uf2UJqjTCzWeDyJGh2pP0XI-jD03joCm7vA1fKAA0wemDp-crXxbAoGVXP6ZIkpU06RoI7WM6PY2vyMohWv8IG3r91ZYC8fv5XR6bzstkYWaGzvsLtPBHullB1XvFvK5Gf8TBu33ojo6V2r0zN-qcwxHl_oLr3A/w480-h640/IMG_2975.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx2xxKH7dA1YGk-6bLIQVgGwt0lEWgKWzKikHnIUHjhTetJJC0loApd8j-DBgVohMeczTJ46IcywzXcoSW8LdygslQ1Oaun2aIEBJuQJtc0rFPiu6WaTg7f8Nzsk_ktcKB4FksovYZX_kxauRhUq9Jzm_awMw5-Vi6f8umoBQRNPl23L06qZeWISypQ/s4032/IMG_3278.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx2xxKH7dA1YGk-6bLIQVgGwt0lEWgKWzKikHnIUHjhTetJJC0loApd8j-DBgVohMeczTJ46IcywzXcoSW8LdygslQ1Oaun2aIEBJuQJtc0rFPiu6WaTg7f8Nzsk_ktcKB4FksovYZX_kxauRhUq9Jzm_awMw5-Vi6f8umoBQRNPl23L06qZeWISypQ/w480-h640/IMG_3278.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dropping off our bags, we set off on the first of Lars' recommendations. He was the former owner of <a href="https://jacksbeachbar.com/">Jack's Beach Bar</a> on Princess Margaret Beach and had suggested it as good place to watch the sunset. He was 1000% right but we would soon learn that there are no bad places on Bequia to watch a sunset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3m7sh-LcKIe2dEuvllDjDlBwrN9kNkziz7KBHtPnU0A-rxaj7f-7pglUkQRfpZ19svkYFH-Tw-jE5Vo7va2r9UEfoklD7d9QwopumYzru1ZkRsGet6rPUuv7qP5yf85uovk-xy2MaPf1A1Zw9sGPg7w46Rwp9Mq30asOWBJ-dpGpeSwwN3WUJFGdLw/s4032/IMG_2962.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3m7sh-LcKIe2dEuvllDjDlBwrN9kNkziz7KBHtPnU0A-rxaj7f-7pglUkQRfpZ19svkYFH-Tw-jE5Vo7va2r9UEfoklD7d9QwopumYzru1ZkRsGet6rPUuv7qP5yf85uovk-xy2MaPf1A1Zw9sGPg7w46Rwp9Mq30asOWBJ-dpGpeSwwN3WUJFGdLw/w640-h480/IMG_2962.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviH6vApqFxV2OPqNcOg0tOYAAlTUDQ7V2qjX-08UIrmIIypv1KjEBfYX9foliy_rxhCPh3M3vftHuZ8s9395lWUCS2l9-Slqmv5NcQbH7RB2eGz7w4tXIJmVEDrzQPgDjfNYRM_Kj04nLr4heNokWGaajsLmlgw0fGIR5YajogRDNg8mievu7zqg7tg/s4032/IMG_2972.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviH6vApqFxV2OPqNcOg0tOYAAlTUDQ7V2qjX-08UIrmIIypv1KjEBfYX9foliy_rxhCPh3M3vftHuZ8s9395lWUCS2l9-Slqmv5NcQbH7RB2eGz7w4tXIJmVEDrzQPgDjfNYRM_Kj04nLr4heNokWGaajsLmlgw0fGIR5YajogRDNg8mievu7zqg7tg/w640-h480/IMG_2972.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBXrB7GJIwshZ2MdwEYnKYDTy-VhSwxe5IGp1XtECHk1TuokO7aHau5UlhqbK242HTUUqXyQPP3gF7DG1RzuLr_GbKRIxRpAhjQw7Bad2WM9KiBAlrL9LVCVzp41K9-MCTekxAnAmz5mIf3VcWzpQi5Sk60dZINw14fm0x7Fs2CWgoQwBb6bhVffeCA/s4032/IMG_2665.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBXrB7GJIwshZ2MdwEYnKYDTy-VhSwxe5IGp1XtECHk1TuokO7aHau5UlhqbK242HTUUqXyQPP3gF7DG1RzuLr_GbKRIxRpAhjQw7Bad2WM9KiBAlrL9LVCVzp41K9-MCTekxAnAmz5mIf3VcWzpQi5Sk60dZINw14fm0x7Fs2CWgoQwBb6bhVffeCA/w640-h480/IMG_2665.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While planning, we had both agreed that we had to visit Tobago Cays, a set of islands with impossibly blue waters and turtles aplenty. The idea was to go on our second day, only I fucked up. I had reached out to a couple of boat tour operators to try to book the tour but missed a last minute response from one of the tour companies until it was too late. The boat literally left without us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a plan B, Glenn dropped us off by the remnants of an old fort and pointed us in the direction of Port Elizabeth. I would call it a scenic overlook but much like with the sunsets, all of Bequia is a scenic overlook!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvccOBlNjGE_HxEdB4Tc8K_Hl--piM2ct01uauGKgKrAom7kTY8FNSIdcq2tPBajTmPuVL0eUssO9uHI7zsSCd9vqWlAaqptDHHl3y7mYJnpRADQ8pwPKVKqx--7hUVD8C0VjzOUbp9NwmRmeZdtN-P0YacEjPkXt5yUpVwL4xPxvLzavZiR47ZQbmQ/s4032/IMG_2988.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvccOBlNjGE_HxEdB4Tc8K_Hl--piM2ct01uauGKgKrAom7kTY8FNSIdcq2tPBajTmPuVL0eUssO9uHI7zsSCd9vqWlAaqptDHHl3y7mYJnpRADQ8pwPKVKqx--7hUVD8C0VjzOUbp9NwmRmeZdtN-P0YacEjPkXt5yUpVwL4xPxvLzavZiR47ZQbmQ/w640-h480/IMG_2988.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT9g1_D0jlEb0hWx1vSCixkxva0MR4eSdIZiZgmIihnh4HIe_XvzVWPUlJ-YcW_y5tAUU31UqOO91g0OE8qgGfLtU12u77WSn2zzg_S8-m3VS0CJ1-1PFa6G_Ou6nXpTrlbjBPa--82fJIfbBbs0iNr9PJzmtPm3zr5uL_uYhJzMC7Tvf1xRwMx3XGw/s4032/IMG_2989.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT9g1_D0jlEb0hWx1vSCixkxva0MR4eSdIZiZgmIihnh4HIe_XvzVWPUlJ-YcW_y5tAUU31UqOO91g0OE8qgGfLtU12u77WSn2zzg_S8-m3VS0CJ1-1PFa6G_Ou6nXpTrlbjBPa--82fJIfbBbs0iNr9PJzmtPm3zr5uL_uYhJzMC7Tvf1xRwMx3XGw/w640-h480/IMG_2989.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>As we made our way back through the port area, we stopped at a few tour agencies, still trying to get to Tobago Cays, to no avail.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_qDbiPWtoNVJSEeYpXvlPCuw-MDDv6hcGi9D3EkqCYDqikQqIDyhJnY5TN2JLky8JgbgFTyEzh03v6mNTFaALENIBMo2WkMHgoFuj1Go0ajQrzppCsjz0-QZQ9qXsKeDIx3hxHCEAEbjrEyoOjho56TYbtEFdGoLT4OyZWc_fFiqD5gJ1ZJSO6a-KA/s4032/IMG_2992.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_qDbiPWtoNVJSEeYpXvlPCuw-MDDv6hcGi9D3EkqCYDqikQqIDyhJnY5TN2JLky8JgbgFTyEzh03v6mNTFaALENIBMo2WkMHgoFuj1Go0ajQrzppCsjz0-QZQ9qXsKeDIx3hxHCEAEbjrEyoOjho56TYbtEFdGoLT4OyZWc_fFiqD5gJ1ZJSO6a-KA/w480-h640/IMG_2992.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg_WAKZauoF78TLVw1qBV9Dr6w3j1eQCPZMkXqLHDZVcaHULj9JRprZzWKaNRPMMS5VnWQSHw5tNIA8gqeRmVaLahZ82XjQlNg3IAShJZiAT5y-jipS3ub_izC-k7EuN4d5JYbVEnUZeUo57Gxl6IuvBLe_B76y_IMFrS_6D2zEq2NmO9MWty_pAhZQ/s4032/IMG_2991.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg_WAKZauoF78TLVw1qBV9Dr6w3j1eQCPZMkXqLHDZVcaHULj9JRprZzWKaNRPMMS5VnWQSHw5tNIA8gqeRmVaLahZ82XjQlNg3IAShJZiAT5y-jipS3ub_izC-k7EuN4d5JYbVEnUZeUo57Gxl6IuvBLe_B76y_IMFrS_6D2zEq2NmO9MWty_pAhZQ/w480-h640/IMG_2991.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6A5xz2LlUiK6fISP1AUXQ3rqepoF99PGQ5K55Qt3d6N1BbuJWcx-YdmaHvQEWvK9xyAJwY2XZcGl_Z9piXain79HVOC4gv1RjmsS5DA5tRDor9KmovqKq7RiAKiOX-BNz5i02djgLA3d2QT0zkw97C22ZtTuU4mALtfEzSKFvAB7gK61X0jw8aZtaA/s4032/IMG_2994.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6A5xz2LlUiK6fISP1AUXQ3rqepoF99PGQ5K55Qt3d6N1BbuJWcx-YdmaHvQEWvK9xyAJwY2XZcGl_Z9piXain79HVOC4gv1RjmsS5DA5tRDor9KmovqKq7RiAKiOX-BNz5i02djgLA3d2QT0zkw97C22ZtTuU4mALtfEzSKFvAB7gK61X0jw8aZtaA/w480-h640/IMG_2994.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o54QRvWr6XMfCsqZFtOjjslKvgk915SHxzk8vWfpXfLu_YheSO3JEBfBmDOLOf8z0d4zYOy5Q2x6o-VKzVcI_tiwVjpdYBKtjwaknCnY9_2dSQxJyM9OvoTpYzu5GY_COIL-qJHfXsVuV0SJzCFvAFz6dBmQVserDyq6ZYYU71kvOUsK-dPHNtjeQw/s4032/IMG_2996.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o54QRvWr6XMfCsqZFtOjjslKvgk915SHxzk8vWfpXfLu_YheSO3JEBfBmDOLOf8z0d4zYOy5Q2x6o-VKzVcI_tiwVjpdYBKtjwaknCnY9_2dSQxJyM9OvoTpYzu5GY_COIL-qJHfXsVuV0SJzCFvAFz6dBmQVserDyq6ZYYU71kvOUsK-dPHNtjeQw/w480-h640/IMG_2996.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, it was not all bad news. We stopped at the fantastic <a href="https://www.bequiadiveadventures.com/">Bequia Dive Adventures</a> just in time to catch their afternoon dive/ snorkel trip. In minutes, we were suited up and ready to go. Unbeknownst to me, we were heading to the Devil's Table, a dive site I had actually noted as one of the things I wanted to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>It did not disappoint, with plenty of fish, healthy corals and even a couple of surprise wrecks thrown in for variety. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b211MySdYPQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="b211MySdYPQ"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUy_Ny01yPYmI_v-w4nuhdJgKKgWukemEINpkUeWQ2cLUm8icriKZI4CwpjVUAZcB_FTMTpUJ4k2ctPLSa1aMmLjIGcUtxJOUIKOww5YE2Z0ekRc-3s4EQAyYrQSurCIbgzABrg4JPx3_oMM67NMO_fEDU6mwN0WQs1IiRzXaOjwPWGJzCPfiGOsEfw/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUy_Ny01yPYmI_v-w4nuhdJgKKgWukemEINpkUeWQ2cLUm8icriKZI4CwpjVUAZcB_FTMTpUJ4k2ctPLSa1aMmLjIGcUtxJOUIKOww5YE2Z0ekRc-3s4EQAyYrQSurCIbgzABrg4JPx3_oMM67NMO_fEDU6mwN0WQs1IiRzXaOjwPWGJzCPfiGOsEfw/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C59tms3b33A" width="320" youtube-src-id="C59tms3b33A"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnQcS-t7_egucspE52RYWzeXlX8WDKBW3-KXPha_XRwau4Ac2N6uZVzjvUImwdfn3UjdOJofs_1NA64-c8owy0sxsjuu-unOjlqDrxFpWuBYEBxpzPGB4NDMAZz7XaQ7SRTSlhTUIh-AfqQzpeLCDMTo29RJCsz4eoJ-rvpXTOC-XRBODrsBIRGelXQ/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnQcS-t7_egucspE52RYWzeXlX8WDKBW3-KXPha_XRwau4Ac2N6uZVzjvUImwdfn3UjdOJofs_1NA64-c8owy0sxsjuu-unOjlqDrxFpWuBYEBxpzPGB4NDMAZz7XaQ7SRTSlhTUIh-AfqQzpeLCDMTo29RJCsz4eoJ-rvpXTOC-XRBODrsBIRGelXQ/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeo-QbafltUKyN5Pn8ZIQ-gtgns9rLq9jKR1j-SqzD8J0-fRLAHMXtS_Q3IiY_9WpFKe1pXO5f1Chi9GrdyhITT7RPZhMwbLXZQeFvBkdhORAh5_th75NKdyf6MKawi38ch_VJBnoq7GFvb1ZGuOxRXweSOCZFIJRiCUZ1az-gaaNYLNyKSYrnA5jAQ/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeo-QbafltUKyN5Pn8ZIQ-gtgns9rLq9jKR1j-SqzD8J0-fRLAHMXtS_Q3IiY_9WpFKe1pXO5f1Chi9GrdyhITT7RPZhMwbLXZQeFvBkdhORAh5_th75NKdyf6MKawi38ch_VJBnoq7GFvb1ZGuOxRXweSOCZFIJRiCUZ1az-gaaNYLNyKSYrnA5jAQ/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDvEfxEk9MJHIu2gVzIz13LN7N3H9m6Wx9NjjT3KsQEag0l9hXb9y1OuDcrRHYGqcQUgdZXZzCtAnOFeGx-sOzVbnHkzLFCoHO4khwI50zOGGEOPkUXCxWdAI3ClCXm0GtBNWbztcdvsmBT2N0IQBPNfpNX4rMpxduzNDnfmnG-p2W-PvQwhp2yYH0g/s1407/GPTempDownload.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1407" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDvEfxEk9MJHIu2gVzIz13LN7N3H9m6Wx9NjjT3KsQEag0l9hXb9y1OuDcrRHYGqcQUgdZXZzCtAnOFeGx-sOzVbnHkzLFCoHO4khwI50zOGGEOPkUXCxWdAI3ClCXm0GtBNWbztcdvsmBT2N0IQBPNfpNX4rMpxduzNDnfmnG-p2W-PvQwhp2yYH0g/w640-h476/GPTempDownload.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Post-dive, we were back at the shop, chatting with the dive master aka the Vincentian Aquaman and trying to figure out what to do next. That's when we got a sign. Not from the heavens or anything mystical like that. It was a piece of paper with a hand drawn map that had been taped to the door advertising the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063052520362">Treehouse Bush Bar.</a> It promised that if you followed a wooded trail, you would be rewarded (hopefully) with both a super unique bar and a cold beer. Both of those things qualify as my love languages, so off we went.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know how they say that nothing good comes easy, this could be the motto for the Bush Bar. Alexa and Google Maps had no clue how to get us there. Residents were sending us hither and thither. One of us got into a fight with a goat. Did I mention that since this is a volcanic island, any path leading away from the sea is uphill? Yet, we persevered and eventually saw the small sign pointing us away from the road and on to a man-made path. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdYRg9q--iqE1TZRSMLoeTx6qkdB3oNiwOWIN1zEZ8Fn-EHuYQNMPFPP76fkjQ8aQJ2MPm9JnoG0kSSQfrs3HEk_ZFuft85a4R_khuFS832qGo4hvx_V-PrU46NgHR5y7ANjcbyvXnjiuT52y6v_o3Nw6mh4xVu5jABjX4scpiRMd-jd1N-7wg8jQxg/s4032/IMG_2999.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdYRg9q--iqE1TZRSMLoeTx6qkdB3oNiwOWIN1zEZ8Fn-EHuYQNMPFPP76fkjQ8aQJ2MPm9JnoG0kSSQfrs3HEk_ZFuft85a4R_khuFS832qGo4hvx_V-PrU46NgHR5y7ANjcbyvXnjiuT52y6v_o3Nw6mh4xVu5jABjX4scpiRMd-jd1N-7wg8jQxg/w480-h640/IMG_2999.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We followed the trail for about 10 minutes and then suddenly, there is was. It was like a mirage but so much better. The only thing cooler than the bar was the story behind it. One guy, Ken, had built the entire thing from scratch. He had cleared the path, carried the materials up these hills and by himself (!) constructed this labor of love.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiqVm9ni0cvtG_XC986dgf1KLY-Ye8FaVYhH0Gq5iIWTkOZbnQiTZm3IeY7mOMbjZGvzQee7WHiKDU0-mdtarxLiJF7LqT0Mx3dwH61-sinBM9Y51gx3YWKUKifRzFiKh9F2h2gUPIRProFiMWR1TEJplVZdXvQI4TH-QJMYLKwXB3TCZyDed3bkz-w/s4032/IMG_3002.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiqVm9ni0cvtG_XC986dgf1KLY-Ye8FaVYhH0Gq5iIWTkOZbnQiTZm3IeY7mOMbjZGvzQee7WHiKDU0-mdtarxLiJF7LqT0Mx3dwH61-sinBM9Y51gx3YWKUKifRzFiKh9F2h2gUPIRProFiMWR1TEJplVZdXvQI4TH-QJMYLKwXB3TCZyDed3bkz-w/w640-h480/IMG_3002.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lUWyJnPbPa0YXE32epjb0ZTdIadb01R-w0VFiFPr1HzrKBokhqfdk9OGScUCCmQAXvqhtDYeJ4qpQO9B95sGt-PZd9D9869oe9ADZVo-PQZR-poO4xutWPl5kG9BNsZb3YCWiis2DYE9QFkg73X1BZHiD9OYdMzy7H6qD69EPGMyy7ABcDq0_iqh-g/s4032/IMG_3007.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lUWyJnPbPa0YXE32epjb0ZTdIadb01R-w0VFiFPr1HzrKBokhqfdk9OGScUCCmQAXvqhtDYeJ4qpQO9B95sGt-PZd9D9869oe9ADZVo-PQZR-poO4xutWPl5kG9BNsZb3YCWiis2DYE9QFkg73X1BZHiD9OYdMzy7H6qD69EPGMyy7ABcDq0_iqh-g/w640-h480/IMG_3007.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I was in truly awe to this testament to one man's determination. And then I broke it. That's right, I broke the Treehouse Bush Bar. Bertila Godzilla had come out of the woods and stomped all over this perfect little oasis. One moment, I was kicking back, enjoying the view, engaged in conversation with Ken. Then suddenly, my feet, which had been resting comfortably on the railing were suspended mid-air and the aforementioned railing was tumbling down the hill. I offered to go down the ravine and try to retrieve the erstwhile piece of railing but we both knew that wasn't going to happen. Ken was super gracious about it and claimed that it was because he had cut the piece too short but I still felt pretty guilty about this act of wanton destruction.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOPykhweGWVZXP1hADix7FlmHNsy5TgFHUMY8Jm_mAP0gwpzf2527kFFcCCONEv0At7fSpzRH-AmwU_D13MODq8n5-YqpFN7k7bXg6XKwfQC9-GldS-viD2ALGR7LK09oH2SOtymG6pAwa_sN-6NGKiKBj3qnMrWhXdkwo2J1u7MpBKikHwQesj-JLw/s4032/IMG_3014.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOPykhweGWVZXP1hADix7FlmHNsy5TgFHUMY8Jm_mAP0gwpzf2527kFFcCCONEv0At7fSpzRH-AmwU_D13MODq8n5-YqpFN7k7bXg6XKwfQC9-GldS-viD2ALGR7LK09oH2SOtymG6pAwa_sN-6NGKiKBj3qnMrWhXdkwo2J1u7MpBKikHwQesj-JLw/w480-h640/IMG_3014.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I was ready to leave in shame- and also I was getting kind of hungry- but no sooner had we paid our bill and headed back to the trail when we saw Mindy. We had first met Mindy at the airport and learned that she was living on a boat in Bequia. That alone is enough to bestow instant cool status on anyone but she also happens to be super sweet, funny and just generally my kind of people. Seeing her and her boating friends was enough for us to turn around and head right back to the broken Bush Bar. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to a couple of hours and many beers later, the rain had come in, the trail was muddy and we were conga-lining it back to the road. Call it a bonding experience, call it what you will but for the remainder of our time, we were welcomed into the loose knit community of inquisitive souls who call the sea their home, sailing from harbor to harbor, collecting breathtaking experiences along the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back, I'm actually grateful that I screwed up our Tobago Cays experience since that is the reason we ran into Mindy and her crew that day. Instead, for day two, we booked a sailing trip to another island, Mustique. It didn't have turtles but it was home to pretty beaches, all the aforementioned a-listers and their hangout of choice, Basil's Bar. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dZQ9bF13jTcjSrp2nX6uLb_JMHCsIx7Iv7P_Kzt0mTd10eAmw32uoIo8MYLzWyep4dJCDwryI6AQEzeEf22HABpNVV5xVfCUcvetT1gMZFkHDzZwwmqHGP-WAGVTrUDvEMtDIFFArSTMQagtiAaMcqA9ekqqVyJU6V9nx9HFsbSD_0IGcV_mB7q48g/s4032/IMG_3021.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dZQ9bF13jTcjSrp2nX6uLb_JMHCsIx7Iv7P_Kzt0mTd10eAmw32uoIo8MYLzWyep4dJCDwryI6AQEzeEf22HABpNVV5xVfCUcvetT1gMZFkHDzZwwmqHGP-WAGVTrUDvEMtDIFFArSTMQagtiAaMcqA9ekqqVyJU6V9nx9HFsbSD_0IGcV_mB7q48g/w480-h640/IMG_3021.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHOk0-UKBQQQNNnxfWAs9IIxdccuqh6lAoBJrJ338mnPhpXdnFM9A0WMdvKubTRJenFE4DUfWAYHNNGM1XYHkvPMVBbPzihzAWN9D7jM9znWLeCOmXDAEZy9AKuyPmUBZxB1jjirqpR-AO5_V1WXM6sm58hpCFsNetBC1dJ9PnjrzUSObujlFMFoX3w/s4032/IMG_3028.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHOk0-UKBQQQNNnxfWAs9IIxdccuqh6lAoBJrJ338mnPhpXdnFM9A0WMdvKubTRJenFE4DUfWAYHNNGM1XYHkvPMVBbPzihzAWN9D7jM9znWLeCOmXDAEZy9AKuyPmUBZxB1jjirqpR-AO5_V1WXM6sm58hpCFsNetBC1dJ9PnjrzUSObujlFMFoX3w/w640-h480/IMG_3028.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w0qHjSY_BucAboCHeRWn1Q6PpsyIsXkI4GYkqB-QgsTA9HgVjY9GBtXdAtTzlazx7Y-2Wut_PwhRk742InjABzPJMO3Pk1OISzdzqwDSznyMNlJTTHjr-WjUAS2dWgN9sJpNFJv_8irj1b1FUHJik-1MF9n50g5v4WGAka_dnJIprA3Cu3mkpQy0dA/s4032/IMG_3032.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w0qHjSY_BucAboCHeRWn1Q6PpsyIsXkI4GYkqB-QgsTA9HgVjY9GBtXdAtTzlazx7Y-2Wut_PwhRk742InjABzPJMO3Pk1OISzdzqwDSznyMNlJTTHjr-WjUAS2dWgN9sJpNFJv_8irj1b1FUHJik-1MF9n50g5v4WGAka_dnJIprA3Cu3mkpQy0dA/w480-h640/IMG_3032.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moonhole: an eco-housing project that has seen better days.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FCt618fu1-bgBhqw8B1LTVDFNzoAA2F5mP6qVVW2yR6dZ0wPn5CerNkME3PD1AJsN4K68B36zGfmNmp-eTbMSe6DBzDJUh53xf_j-Yb9FLHvpV_8m08pYuW_Z6g5FRDr_Alk7Qs1mK3wkMFR-wT9KtIsu5XBISwUTk4EMvWGgQSxJ7EvHEuizGXH1A/s4032/IMG_3038.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FCt618fu1-bgBhqw8B1LTVDFNzoAA2F5mP6qVVW2yR6dZ0wPn5CerNkME3PD1AJsN4K68B36zGfmNmp-eTbMSe6DBzDJUh53xf_j-Yb9FLHvpV_8m08pYuW_Z6g5FRDr_Alk7Qs1mK3wkMFR-wT9KtIsu5XBISwUTk4EMvWGgQSxJ7EvHEuizGXH1A/w480-h640/IMG_3038.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OOv7k893sjMyvUiT5g_wcfe4ujGV7N8mNBtActu2Cr5HFdlhYytYKp1-Mwem1zok44ds4BCThHXK99yBPLxUEoyEWg2EoRB6_Job1gx395Mj2A8kaRSPVAKRl1fuIHRyZw0mYRjTkvOPbsa6TYmT0lbNN1N9hy-L0PZilSZx8ZN4NHw85qncU_PXYA/s4032/IMG_3042.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OOv7k893sjMyvUiT5g_wcfe4ujGV7N8mNBtActu2Cr5HFdlhYytYKp1-Mwem1zok44ds4BCThHXK99yBPLxUEoyEWg2EoRB6_Job1gx395Mj2A8kaRSPVAKRl1fuIHRyZw0mYRjTkvOPbsa6TYmT0lbNN1N9hy-L0PZilSZx8ZN4NHw85qncU_PXYA/w480-h640/IMG_3042.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The bar is so beloved that Basil himself was invited to Prince William and Kate's wedding, where he created a pop-up version of his bar, complete with sand that I imagine he smuggled over in his carry-on. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1EDVyPHOPjWGP4Uj1Yw_ojMukqPOjcAbYgdQP5QD2lz52njBQM9-tksUUMylgnl7PjICkUvMcNDq5Cczq58tM1EfTv32weirEO7QWl8dSPKCVjr2eN9n7g2nTu-WyHeEiF-UV7AzUxm3wX3KdqTmuZDJFGnSYyb7ACVC2BWhzqmt80RWC1YukNffpw/s4032/IMG_3058.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1EDVyPHOPjWGP4Uj1Yw_ojMukqPOjcAbYgdQP5QD2lz52njBQM9-tksUUMylgnl7PjICkUvMcNDq5Cczq58tM1EfTv32weirEO7QWl8dSPKCVjr2eN9n7g2nTu-WyHeEiF-UV7AzUxm3wX3KdqTmuZDJFGnSYyb7ACVC2BWhzqmt80RWC1YukNffpw/w640-h480/IMG_3058.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIt6FVq3THRPS01EBIhp-pSbnVvb6jsS_t_0-lHjEl0-SfHVVGDzhtJig0gk5-5U5dSu3nDjG9Zk-qtfX9sTCxO4NZaLrajhxr925mBN4Q8E3mABUbi16DrG10mAdGW8DVKBSyOa1hgTAib-2-aHDSkfcG-Dc00H1qnKZMIaGF9kWu2mtPoG6Ab-Q_g/s4032/IMG_3064.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIt6FVq3THRPS01EBIhp-pSbnVvb6jsS_t_0-lHjEl0-SfHVVGDzhtJig0gk5-5U5dSu3nDjG9Zk-qtfX9sTCxO4NZaLrajhxr925mBN4Q8E3mABUbi16DrG10mAdGW8DVKBSyOa1hgTAib-2-aHDSkfcG-Dc00H1qnKZMIaGF9kWu2mtPoG6Ab-Q_g/w480-h640/IMG_3064.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYoUmV_-QRoEm8wMQKEszuNah_BUMnqSqZbBaIHAeXtr_Bv2aQq-7dpIKGq4NurmMy3E4PWbzT1ROoiegY087jQJeEc7Wk6ugGfVb-TWQGu-KaTUj5XkCXVwoaZji7wL6Y8AJ-dOZj03I3jX3ti9s1h6o61eRtZEDhmMlwYw2lG4SCB0u_EsMEEIfPg/s4032/IMG_3068.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYoUmV_-QRoEm8wMQKEszuNah_BUMnqSqZbBaIHAeXtr_Bv2aQq-7dpIKGq4NurmMy3E4PWbzT1ROoiegY087jQJeEc7Wk6ugGfVb-TWQGu-KaTUj5XkCXVwoaZji7wL6Y8AJ-dOZj03I3jX3ti9s1h6o61eRtZEDhmMlwYw2lG4SCB0u_EsMEEIfPg/w640-h480/IMG_3068.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi83v3g2LgRVA3DFI2TtQbrYpjsqtvJgv24GiXUOt4xKn55sHIGZYp9h2pE09J8lu-KYxdy0iaVTV2cHPPEu7TB9Jk4D59kzfTZJLC7Tbsz9lvqQiIbp-d3W_4qGrxthwvn5uYG9Xc48V9Z2HfEBMi3oWGYCtydAYiITVNev1OBcbd28T2RVZ5dmucBg/s4032/IMG_3109.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi83v3g2LgRVA3DFI2TtQbrYpjsqtvJgv24GiXUOt4xKn55sHIGZYp9h2pE09J8lu-KYxdy0iaVTV2cHPPEu7TB9Jk4D59kzfTZJLC7Tbsz9lvqQiIbp-d3W_4qGrxthwvn5uYG9Xc48V9Z2HfEBMi3oWGYCtydAYiITVNev1OBcbd28T2RVZ5dmucBg/w480-h640/IMG_3109.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Based on the rum punch I enjoyed, I'm sure the bar was raging success but the one thing Basil could not possibly recreate is the setting. The beach immediately in front was so inviting that we decided to go for a swim and looky who we found...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wkvsyXXgEmE" width="320" youtube-src-id="wkvsyXXgEmE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's right, it's not just Tobago Cays that gets to claim the turtles. There were plenty of them bobbing around and probably downing a rum punch or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAlvK59CkyTnj0JE1dtJV0eZ5hDzhyybIRCJQZELOsqBlpLIpbKYP-_XTNBOWyC-VVyMdSo2BWX6DXPJotNh_ZFrstmxs4DlFcEcZjXiBKcpOzUJtvKNBmXMzh-W5nw2BkNxDzM4X5J1coyVXtjFOW6a8G-DQ3fLbLR6MG3w41OdC9gZfU6PezWTwDg/s4032/IMG_3059.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAlvK59CkyTnj0JE1dtJV0eZ5hDzhyybIRCJQZELOsqBlpLIpbKYP-_XTNBOWyC-VVyMdSo2BWX6DXPJotNh_ZFrstmxs4DlFcEcZjXiBKcpOzUJtvKNBmXMzh-W5nw2BkNxDzM4X5J1coyVXtjFOW6a8G-DQ3fLbLR6MG3w41OdC9gZfU6PezWTwDg/w480-h640/IMG_3059.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of the Ariane Space Rocket that washed up on the shore.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0ywNG9slYy-no9SgTiYGTKaGY-a8IUibfZJdrJLPn2XlK08v3VPiOWdv0KwWIUH-APPZ7nN6gBqD1zEP9Y1nPYk4jebfxRb8gGWy739uCEGxkDmarru3C_-D9_idIPNKOpgDPxy55sK3l68KVFgDG_jRNA4V0ZUvqcgtiwk2gxAw_xUH7Web8lrz0Q/s4032/IMG_3079.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0ywNG9slYy-no9SgTiYGTKaGY-a8IUibfZJdrJLPn2XlK08v3VPiOWdv0KwWIUH-APPZ7nN6gBqD1zEP9Y1nPYk4jebfxRb8gGWy739uCEGxkDmarru3C_-D9_idIPNKOpgDPxy55sK3l68KVFgDG_jRNA4V0ZUvqcgtiwk2gxAw_xUH7Web8lrz0Q/w640-h480/IMG_3079.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjrnnFzDYEjle0j60WT70GE2tWZxdSilzd-8kUxsUdY88QmKQt-1R8kx2d62kQrdJYt2wUlXH_qbxvc1wpCCLRTMQ7ijcGPL3g_g-gpnpGJSo03ecJsFA76Sk8-lMqaodU1-NucK95lcWPMm4EMaWZdLu4VoIgw5nZ_LfcezBNa8yavn6gSoOxxIKkg/s4032/IMG_3086.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjrnnFzDYEjle0j60WT70GE2tWZxdSilzd-8kUxsUdY88QmKQt-1R8kx2d62kQrdJYt2wUlXH_qbxvc1wpCCLRTMQ7ijcGPL3g_g-gpnpGJSo03ecJsFA76Sk8-lMqaodU1-NucK95lcWPMm4EMaWZdLu4VoIgw5nZ_LfcezBNa8yavn6gSoOxxIKkg/w480-h640/IMG_3086.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l2bSdqByMl4Luck-rt7tPf7OT1dV4B2AksQoBUorv2yxMHH7mlC28cx3X8Rj5l90q8Zfo1AVT3lFw0ayKwxugckOy5Ws01bUfaAe9HghnVLurOJxba1b2kN_CWSf1MdZJHbgc5gphBBYuimiORdq5HUKOPIbniSLlbw2ahUkYpXg0SJMf_lFRngT0w/s4032/IMG_3089.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7l2bSdqByMl4Luck-rt7tPf7OT1dV4B2AksQoBUorv2yxMHH7mlC28cx3X8Rj5l90q8Zfo1AVT3lFw0ayKwxugckOy5Ws01bUfaAe9HghnVLurOJxba1b2kN_CWSf1MdZJHbgc5gphBBYuimiORdq5HUKOPIbniSLlbw2ahUkYpXg0SJMf_lFRngT0w/w640-h480/IMG_3089.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And if you think the turtles can only be seen in the water, think again. I decided to walk over to Macaroni Beach on the other side of the island, mainly because I found the name funny. The beach itself didn't live up to the hype but there was one sight on the walk back that definitely caught my attention. Casually placed amongst multi-million dollar homes, there they were, a giant pair of fucking turtles. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5iQFsQOySnLoCjrWKnTGZQkB8mOK27qHKY5rm1yBtBnR6o8Rr47XZm8YV9p-sc95-feUnGbhxFPLsG7ps7pNuc3LKDedE9WHYCN3emJhCRaYfsgzqjkmj7l5BIAPNQmS29TBnLXOsJ9E1tVbmin5rkONtA5evbb5xaqoQo2OojI6YcSfnTz6BPxC3A/s4032/IMG_3105.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5iQFsQOySnLoCjrWKnTGZQkB8mOK27qHKY5rm1yBtBnR6o8Rr47XZm8YV9p-sc95-feUnGbhxFPLsG7ps7pNuc3LKDedE9WHYCN3emJhCRaYfsgzqjkmj7l5BIAPNQmS29TBnLXOsJ9E1tVbmin5rkONtA5evbb5xaqoQo2OojI6YcSfnTz6BPxC3A/w640-h480/IMG_3105.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the size of the bench for scale. This is not a small sculpture. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5jrB_gcDFr6HBGTcNILMJdPXZKUZcodI36l5VrDN3nYxDGiKpt9lzLMcbfvQuoJB0eufVX-o1aZoBjo6gGI6HQCSnGCrFR7Oh_-46v8GKSndcN9x7GpprI7qUapH65v4JqgOt7SFx-c1LkP42ansdGQB_mut2NLK9eqlnV-pjPJI6Q79ZWElXbGG1w/s4032/IMG_3108.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5jrB_gcDFr6HBGTcNILMJdPXZKUZcodI36l5VrDN3nYxDGiKpt9lzLMcbfvQuoJB0eufVX-o1aZoBjo6gGI6HQCSnGCrFR7Oh_-46v8GKSndcN9x7GpprI7qUapH65v4JqgOt7SFx-c1LkP42ansdGQB_mut2NLK9eqlnV-pjPJI6Q79ZWElXbGG1w/w480-h640/IMG_3108.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Placed alongside the horny tortoises was a dedicatory plaque reading something like "To the fine people of Mustique..." I believe there was some random John Lennon quote thrown in as well. Someone had taken it upon themselves to gift the fine people of Mustique turtle porn. How many meetings must that city council have had trying to figure out what to do with this thing? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I asked a local what the story was with the turtles. He patiently explained that this is how turtles reproduce. I wanted local gossip, he was giving me the birds and the bees. One day, I'm going to need to find Lars again to get the full scoop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our ride back to Bequia was a wet one, causing our Capt to go into full Gordon Fisherman's mode but the skies quickly cleared and we opted for a bit of a detour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdZHuMZ4Txvhr9TMAG0a4nf3Jsl31nyN0aGChVrfKbWRU442OrDO0Y2Y52khHcPKwhzghcbl8YMjdestmCleUD6j51P8CnqbOAnzSXme7J_8hrlcB3C14F28VX75oGFq77tyUjt2D3dF398cjtRsdbuHkDjQdgchq-vorsv4i0dn6CLK1JgbNXXEckA/s4032/IMG_3043.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdZHuMZ4Txvhr9TMAG0a4nf3Jsl31nyN0aGChVrfKbWRU442OrDO0Y2Y52khHcPKwhzghcbl8YMjdestmCleUD6j51P8CnqbOAnzSXme7J_8hrlcB3C14F28VX75oGFq77tyUjt2D3dF398cjtRsdbuHkDjQdgchq-vorsv4i0dn6CLK1JgbNXXEckA/w480-h640/IMG_3043.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWhEDRnKyzAz_4XJcMUGzOQJC-INu9JKU7bx2NEtb0a-eIqWakUWN9_8tML2WSio3AH0FJxbgHl7_L_BmSXmoPg8tlUfjpGTYgIhynhYaa5ubDSr6UyBvquRNvxuyi_HSPQl46sVOA9Tyj_yiY9uF8VE126mMLpHyMOyIITwX8iRRWODY71szS1B2tw/s4032/IMG_3119.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWhEDRnKyzAz_4XJcMUGzOQJC-INu9JKU7bx2NEtb0a-eIqWakUWN9_8tML2WSio3AH0FJxbgHl7_L_BmSXmoPg8tlUfjpGTYgIhynhYaa5ubDSr6UyBvquRNvxuyi_HSPQl46sVOA9Tyj_yiY9uF8VE126mMLpHyMOyIITwX8iRRWODY71szS1B2tw/w640-h480/IMG_3119.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2gNaVNStI98sv6XTRCL9fWAxj2H63dMD9nB0OTrsZDkW_Z4M9JcsOmvQD8I1yDBakbqzHAsG0dotMXpsYXqoQbv4vhWbMyEG-cOaxdzSnFjiMYbptw5c62mRjVPUMGiaq-FQ9n0nazZMhYIHQe4kbjXyFdt5keFTaVvUFcEmZeVRNWwQz3jk4dIbaw/s4032/IMG_3121.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2gNaVNStI98sv6XTRCL9fWAxj2H63dMD9nB0OTrsZDkW_Z4M9JcsOmvQD8I1yDBakbqzHAsG0dotMXpsYXqoQbv4vhWbMyEG-cOaxdzSnFjiMYbptw5c62mRjVPUMGiaq-FQ9n0nazZMhYIHQe4kbjXyFdt5keFTaVvUFcEmZeVRNWwQz3jk4dIbaw/w640-h480/IMG_3121.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Instead of returning to the dock, we asked to be dropped off at cool Bequia bar #2, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/baronebequia/?hl=en">Bar One</a>. This one sits smack dab in the middle of the water on a floating platform. In order to reach it, you have to either swim, kayak or get yourself on a boat. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TCQGnP6n5qqQonPQWcUvD5wBGAnUfUNIEUfAX9f_9FZNMWEl3xnBhQcGZcU7dcadqkcFHCmo0UwcwtCtLJTi2xUGntgh6Be5gxjaSwEIBPH2Tff76Tbr7mc6JizCcuYICQBhC-RqNnBPHr7F-bD--_0wM1Wk2qOBMyuoL6yq90_zZaCBrFIXnx5hQw/s4032/IMG_3251.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TCQGnP6n5qqQonPQWcUvD5wBGAnUfUNIEUfAX9f_9FZNMWEl3xnBhQcGZcU7dcadqkcFHCmo0UwcwtCtLJTi2xUGntgh6Be5gxjaSwEIBPH2Tff76Tbr7mc6JizCcuYICQBhC-RqNnBPHr7F-bD--_0wM1Wk2qOBMyuoL6yq90_zZaCBrFIXnx5hQw/w480-h640/IMG_3251.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazOet9QRBQNr0TdxYAJqQ6MVXbOD1TLs_sWUQMhW-XCbSrFWEvGAiou0mx2zPHzCS-51Uvq2_oC6hQq-T9cciVLzYvQ3KFu2x-UzERKK404o30nl3bB3UOmL4T05qhjlgOdqyexosLCJr5qkw8UKEuY7aXxwKmbp2XVax82LrgT3OLcuL-8tNw_d7zA/s4032/IMG_3131.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazOet9QRBQNr0TdxYAJqQ6MVXbOD1TLs_sWUQMhW-XCbSrFWEvGAiou0mx2zPHzCS-51Uvq2_oC6hQq-T9cciVLzYvQ3KFu2x-UzERKK404o30nl3bB3UOmL4T05qhjlgOdqyexosLCJr5qkw8UKEuY7aXxwKmbp2XVax82LrgT3OLcuL-8tNw_d7zA/w480-h640/IMG_3131.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXU4kmQekEfBynV0ecuTcbZYewmR3ul5ckb-ZK7Q8d1XQt7_nulJUhGASZTgQDDO3nOJB0OsKxr3-jMGuB4Q2fNA36iEZcb9oBtXx_GHn70fMFCWRkp8uHctZ-wPu3DIINtF3m1DsaVm8kcC9Ozo5EI508KDCiho-woZlirgoyNjUsJ-DhPmhyMh7RLQ/s4032/IMG_3139.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXU4kmQekEfBynV0ecuTcbZYewmR3ul5ckb-ZK7Q8d1XQt7_nulJUhGASZTgQDDO3nOJB0OsKxr3-jMGuB4Q2fNA36iEZcb9oBtXx_GHn70fMFCWRkp8uHctZ-wPu3DIINtF3m1DsaVm8kcC9Ozo5EI508KDCiho-woZlirgoyNjUsJ-DhPmhyMh7RLQ/w640-h480/IMG_3139.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We took full advantage of having a ride and made Bar One our hangout for the next couple of hours. If anyone ever asks if I have both requested and jammed out to Titi Me Pregunto in the middle of the ocean, I can truthfully answer that I have. </div><div><br /></div><div>We returned to land via a water taxi and hit up a couple of the now familiar beachfront bars/ restaurants before calling it a night. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cjap66nvFFQY0KuVkncR-8OECkntlsxPDRRORcZmgZZBOg5oSkKKoFi7HVxe-FFnII29-JxCBnw65M2Qh_t8xvzXxQ0RU41tdPTybUJFoavQAOB-yud69RQbg_30lMhT4pPWk8JePkd_8E3PXm3fl8sDpBjD3SVaFKUOM4AvEqlu4bVmLE1lCj4Mbg/s4032/IMG_3140.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Cjap66nvFFQY0KuVkncR-8OECkntlsxPDRRORcZmgZZBOg5oSkKKoFi7HVxe-FFnII29-JxCBnw65M2Qh_t8xvzXxQ0RU41tdPTybUJFoavQAOB-yud69RQbg_30lMhT4pPWk8JePkd_8E3PXm3fl8sDpBjD3SVaFKUOM4AvEqlu4bVmLE1lCj4Mbg/w480-h640/IMG_3140.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a first. Note that you have to pay extra to <i>not</i> have tofu in your vegetarian dinner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day three: our last full day. We had already hiked, sailed, snorkeled, drank- pretty much covered all the island bases. This was to be the chill day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We returned to Princess Margaret Beach, this time accompanied by a troublingly racist dog. He was a true and loyal companion to us, staying by our side all day long but every time we encountered a local, he turned in a snarling hell-hound. I hope I was able to convey in my frantic look that this was not, in fact, our dog and that he did not learn this behavior from us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfThbHaRNC06mfWzhESAS2WMegObJ40KYXZtwLebkGHCgMXTmSluFS8pVitDdshLNRsicGtCRZOMbQ7_bXE16Z3AlcLGsFARekbD0YHhK1--z0iS5uE_5IMBjbOX-fjXiEmRc3uUjWuprwbYq5kofxSfq0IJPWJ1_MSjK0stb4t953Hf-0Ojq_hPQFQw/s4032/IMG_3259.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfThbHaRNC06mfWzhESAS2WMegObJ40KYXZtwLebkGHCgMXTmSluFS8pVitDdshLNRsicGtCRZOMbQ7_bXE16Z3AlcLGsFARekbD0YHhK1--z0iS5uE_5IMBjbOX-fjXiEmRc3uUjWuprwbYq5kofxSfq0IJPWJ1_MSjK0stb4t953Hf-0Ojq_hPQFQw/w640-h480/IMG_3259.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSep_CzJ9jfa_c8s9W4cqrAP0LqhTbSU1bSQhUROMJCigpBGiPym7w9U9VMVKktun3fWXJ3wQIy-GTQiCxSKGIsexHVGrOmCakqKC8lqqHvt-fqxcXCywBwsYJdD5BIrMoLm2BdNs9RRr9ox86qtySxaZIEB35z8UNG3T_fv30CSiUj8ZZCJDG79zA/s4032/IMG_3257.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSep_CzJ9jfa_c8s9W4cqrAP0LqhTbSU1bSQhUROMJCigpBGiPym7w9U9VMVKktun3fWXJ3wQIy-GTQiCxSKGIsexHVGrOmCakqKC8lqqHvt-fqxcXCywBwsYJdD5BIrMoLm2BdNs9RRr9ox86qtySxaZIEB35z8UNG3T_fv30CSiUj8ZZCJDG79zA/w480-h640/IMG_3257.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because our time in Bequia was meant to end as wonderfully as it had began, we ran into Mindy and her husband again. This time around, she introduced us to the Lion's Den, the most wonderfully local of local bars and then gave us a ride back to Bar One.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIDwIbb3UmqCgb5DsHeYzARnBTZLemI55_q3obL1d8yFRT0xIR9C9dCyOn4ONOdgjUz3lxdPl8XanABE5lug852gODejCHxD6Zq1sl2wgFSI-7FFHXcWDO59eqq3mCsMFiWNzowHDjjfXuOHVH0lK56N7glzZ5FTSUCDp6PNUTVbl9hedBWJYFamHPg/s4032/IMG_3261.HEIC"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIDwIbb3UmqCgb5DsHeYzARnBTZLemI55_q3obL1d8yFRT0xIR9C9dCyOn4ONOdgjUz3lxdPl8XanABE5lug852gODejCHxD6Zq1sl2wgFSI-7FFHXcWDO59eqq3mCsMFiWNzowHDjjfXuOHVH0lK56N7glzZ5FTSUCDp6PNUTVbl9hedBWJYFamHPg/w640-h480/IMG_3261.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVFnX488LZogVyL0hYfnYICAPWgsXUADvsCVQZEWWBFEBkGrrWEKv8xbaM3tBs_a_nuVXJ_p1CzxbGzy8LH-90K8BM6xTMmorf6O4dsjUKhofV7mYQWJOF2K59X3B5k83LBg4Is5JbpFLu6zuTRfb_RNZ-l24joeZMiJot1OO_uchQaicj2EgRnqrgg/s4032/IMG_3262.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVFnX488LZogVyL0hYfnYICAPWgsXUADvsCVQZEWWBFEBkGrrWEKv8xbaM3tBs_a_nuVXJ_p1CzxbGzy8LH-90K8BM6xTMmorf6O4dsjUKhofV7mYQWJOF2K59X3B5k83LBg4Is5JbpFLu6zuTRfb_RNZ-l24joeZMiJot1OO_uchQaicj2EgRnqrgg/w480-h640/IMG_3262.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gRDOyH7simeT3wFOEvtyhG942Feg60F_XNXWEkC6KQx_-x4gAA6VUd4xUr_alxwFpp9qJgNuwUPt7bUT1biCI62fI7ifCv_994a7wI6QL6ecs-8g0E5S2pemaW-Z4lbGE4QI6uR62NCqGuwtnR6ePKRCsr5oOCXkwwGTuLDqvUJ0dMLyHJcjrX9NYw/s4032/IMG_3270.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gRDOyH7simeT3wFOEvtyhG942Feg60F_XNXWEkC6KQx_-x4gAA6VUd4xUr_alxwFpp9qJgNuwUPt7bUT1biCI62fI7ifCv_994a7wI6QL6ecs-8g0E5S2pemaW-Z4lbGE4QI6uR62NCqGuwtnR6ePKRCsr5oOCXkwwGTuLDqvUJ0dMLyHJcjrX9NYw/w480-h640/IMG_3270.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Spending our last night on a floating bar with new friends just felt so very right. I didn't even break anything. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLwW_lKTwHDh6XDSfyZ0f-AoSZyNysoYM6bEFWftqJRg5bw3N2c0eg1_uo7U_8ry_cgFQNrezEq-ww1R5mj4fuhMshKD5TAObplGhEV-y8RxEX-yZtB5u-nKAcOVOfZh_5Q_1mbFd8EcRA7xm8_qnUU_lDKYx9H6UlSzoCJXCK3y4PXejeTI6sAuDTQ/s4032/IMG_3273.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLwW_lKTwHDh6XDSfyZ0f-AoSZyNysoYM6bEFWftqJRg5bw3N2c0eg1_uo7U_8ry_cgFQNrezEq-ww1R5mj4fuhMshKD5TAObplGhEV-y8RxEX-yZtB5u-nKAcOVOfZh_5Q_1mbFd8EcRA7xm8_qnUU_lDKYx9H6UlSzoCJXCK3y4PXejeTI6sAuDTQ/w480-h640/IMG_3273.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85pZ6aY-42KQy8mFlZ3HQ6b_sEIJRmcywE_sCFM42CVS7_X69F_DcLoGLQe1BlkPzzSCgaBM9ynj52ZlkeLN3CGjKJeZ24EwQlAy9KugBiJ4UQKxE6Vl5pNfCq1J7HpxECVm8ZZyqPYp838Dw03_L2-3yU_y6S-75dNvAB-hi1-wj6Y0Ej5CTNE36Vw/s4032/IMG_3277.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85pZ6aY-42KQy8mFlZ3HQ6b_sEIJRmcywE_sCFM42CVS7_X69F_DcLoGLQe1BlkPzzSCgaBM9ynj52ZlkeLN3CGjKJeZ24EwQlAy9KugBiJ4UQKxE6Vl5pNfCq1J7HpxECVm8ZZyqPYp838Dw03_L2-3yU_y6S-75dNvAB-hi1-wj6Y0Ej5CTNE36Vw/w640-h480/IMG_3277.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back on St Vincent, we joined a couple we had met on the ferry for a brief scenic trip of the island before returning to the airport. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDGdLIlH4nSroObEaHrRWmEomFAvKE8Dg2C6MTbT1bE0fbv7C8o8UUlnnb0Myh0PSvIERtxY3PnzQWtTUnmayalZOtCE13BbRREhN-M-2_8FMtitoK7RghMqNBCY06j3GFz356vwAWbrg1p4_1J2B2qHemKa2QTw9sRtzPMp7ENZNWwKZmNmW24msZw/s4032/IMG_3288.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDGdLIlH4nSroObEaHrRWmEomFAvKE8Dg2C6MTbT1bE0fbv7C8o8UUlnnb0Myh0PSvIERtxY3PnzQWtTUnmayalZOtCE13BbRREhN-M-2_8FMtitoK7RghMqNBCY06j3GFz356vwAWbrg1p4_1J2B2qHemKa2QTw9sRtzPMp7ENZNWwKZmNmW24msZw/w640-h480/IMG_3288.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tan was now a little deeper, the country count was a bit higher and I couldn't be happier about it. Now to figure out, where to next...</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-84964754561448284992023-03-28T15:35:00.001-05:002023-03-28T15:35:43.126-05:00Country #121: One Spicy Spicy Island<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNLDJwN88MJslvTOjf00F-h8Sx3bXhQRCpXWx5GMbEnNJRPPa4ZvNNlTdBA2uAxoS2iG53yoti9Piqm_KlesKpBC2gkupvNd3YoRPNFOZGDi4Ua83N7Z9lvGU7p9L_nfx_eX3c_0GGCNqaETLx5mOeGZN1ASm9O5TKTA6LldAv00NqwdwYdw1cJJQAg/s4032/IMG_2527.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNLDJwN88MJslvTOjf00F-h8Sx3bXhQRCpXWx5GMbEnNJRPPa4ZvNNlTdBA2uAxoS2iG53yoti9Piqm_KlesKpBC2gkupvNd3YoRPNFOZGDi4Ua83N7Z9lvGU7p9L_nfx_eX3c_0GGCNqaETLx5mOeGZN1ASm9O5TKTA6LldAv00NqwdwYdw1cJJQAg/w640-h480/IMG_2527.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't even done telling everyone how cool my visit to Dominica (aka country #120) had been, when I learned of an opportunity to visit its neighbor to the south. Faced with the chance to visit the tiny island nation of Grenada, you best believe I jumped on it like a hungry mona monkey. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Granted, it was going to be a short stay. I would arrive Thursday evening and leave early Saturday morning, leaving only one full day to enjoy the island's many offerings. It wasn't a lot but never underestimate the power of a determined traveler with FOMO on high. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My hope was to do an early morning dive of the dreamy looking<a href="https://www.underwatersculpture.com/projects/molinere-underwater-sculpture-park/?doing_wp_cron=1525984549.9457681179046630859375"> underwater sculpture park</a>. It is a collection of 75 works sitting at a depth of 5-8 metres. I love diving. I love art museums. This is one of those things that feel like it was made specifically for me. I tried to make reservations before my arrival only to learn that all the dive operators were fully booked. Undaunted, I was up at 8am walking up and down the dive shops of Grand Anse Beach, like a crackhead trying to get some sweet sweet Nitrox. The answer was always the same, 'we are booked today but if you come back next week, we would love to take you diving'. A week?! Oh, to have such a luxury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The culprits to my misfortune were the three cruise ships- floating cities really- that had descended onto the island. They had taken up every tank in town. There was nothing to do but come up with a plan B. A couple of local guides offered to take me on an island tour, but seeing as I was by myself, even their lowest price was too high for my budget. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSIrKSJhWl-VzPpCchWO6tTyvtkg2kT8INEkE_03XR6B64zghkYgGcbhMXLnkr77ZuYvDqBIGiJxgn_DoMqaQTlPGhYni4-7j8AN8GlbKKhSpQF4tzXiz1GJk6qi3auArR9ZK6Zn4qakbmb2s2I4zoZ0BAuvKJ4kGPyBdm5zC-Pxpu5gyHnSR3xWQHw/s4032/IMG_2522.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSIrKSJhWl-VzPpCchWO6tTyvtkg2kT8INEkE_03XR6B64zghkYgGcbhMXLnkr77ZuYvDqBIGiJxgn_DoMqaQTlPGhYni4-7j8AN8GlbKKhSpQF4tzXiz1GJk6qi3auArR9ZK6Zn4qakbmb2s2I4zoZ0BAuvKJ4kGPyBdm5zC-Pxpu5gyHnSR3xWQHw/w640-h480/IMG_2522.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I decided to take the bus to St George, the capital city and current home of the three invading ships. Perhaps I could join on one of the impromptu cruise people tours, as I had in Dominica. <div><br /></div><div>One of the guides that had approached me on the beach was heading that way, so together we jumped on a northbound jitney. I was carefully watching the transactions taking place between the 'money guy' and the multitude of passengers jumping on and off, trying to figure out how much this was going to cost. When it did come time to pay, the guide had taken care of my passage. He then walked alongside me, pointing out the many things to see. He seemed genuinely nice, as did everyone I had encountered so far, but surely there was some sort of hustle here. Only, as best as I could tell, there wasn't. We hung out a bit until I told him I was going to wander by myself and offered him a small tip for his time. He declined a couple of times, to the point that I worried that I might be offending him, before eventually taking it. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb62fHhhuMgG3_Tactocorx8GiEERpyj0BgHYL4Kdf3IhEFZo8bsTGovIPL5PXVv7D82jxLxNWmXVCO1NFDetNONkMgOgT7WwO-x10-V2dI1QtsrDIUBOkdAL6InRM4Cmwti7S_RehS0SQGQm7QHpy7f6uwRzyXo_R15vABwiXWogslyI_HSYV8SVnUw/s4032/IMG_2532.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb62fHhhuMgG3_Tactocorx8GiEERpyj0BgHYL4Kdf3IhEFZo8bsTGovIPL5PXVv7D82jxLxNWmXVCO1NFDetNONkMgOgT7WwO-x10-V2dI1QtsrDIUBOkdAL6InRM4Cmwti7S_RehS0SQGQm7QHpy7f6uwRzyXo_R15vABwiXWogslyI_HSYV8SVnUw/w640-h480/IMG_2532.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seeing as I had declined his tour, I did not want to tell him that I was looking for the central cruise ship area, where the taxi touts would be offering much cheaper tours. I was having a hard time finding such an area but did see a bunch of little tourist trains going up a hill. Time was still of the essence and these trains were going super slow. So slow in fact that I was able to keep pace on foot and eavesdrop on their tour almost the entire way to my intended destination, Fort George.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whatever the Fort part of Fort George was, it was closed for renovations but the view from the lookout point more than justified the price of admission.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D11N9Do99Tr-YRm0UY8hpQrPNyWoRwiM71YR4FRzVfhY6GsGnFPpFIxJPdTL1BrQGE6ofOQ9KK6eC7e_UIvUYxb1KaLU8dZKtMFaBDXF3rCPEu2K_y7LZDsY_YxFQn56VpoM-1u3Vse2EQpJqtcroIQmZEU2YaMo42kNzvPeOHQSNq6tagJmhWoq9w/s4032/IMG_2544.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D11N9Do99Tr-YRm0UY8hpQrPNyWoRwiM71YR4FRzVfhY6GsGnFPpFIxJPdTL1BrQGE6ofOQ9KK6eC7e_UIvUYxb1KaLU8dZKtMFaBDXF3rCPEu2K_y7LZDsY_YxFQn56VpoM-1u3Vse2EQpJqtcroIQmZEU2YaMo42kNzvPeOHQSNq6tagJmhWoq9w/w640-h480/IMG_2544.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib95T09v-S3EL68Bcmhh37u9x010CehW2K1wo_VMa1HC807QI2OtBVrw8vRNtW9tSX4yNhm6Z7Ce_rv2vaswl5Ln-O9kI0pbcDuHMwLFlIUt5zMtfS3TVW84u6396QTKnIsTgsKUi-1dphE8wQzj466d4ntRtrH0ovhiG16nUCXjPzMB8ZrYbSm-_P0g/s4032/IMG_2547.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib95T09v-S3EL68Bcmhh37u9x010CehW2K1wo_VMa1HC807QI2OtBVrw8vRNtW9tSX4yNhm6Z7Ce_rv2vaswl5Ln-O9kI0pbcDuHMwLFlIUt5zMtfS3TVW84u6396QTKnIsTgsKUi-1dphE8wQzj466d4ntRtrH0ovhiG16nUCXjPzMB8ZrYbSm-_P0g/w640-h480/IMG_2547.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After chilling up there for a bit, I wandered back into town and quickly spotted a guy standing around with the tell-tale laminated sign. He was offering tours, I was certain of it. Perhaps my non-diving day could be salvaged. As I got closer, I heard him talking to some cruise ship people, pointing out the stops pictured on his laminated card. The couple declined his offer and he began walking away. That was when I found myself yelling, in a voice much louder than I intended, "Hey!! Tell me about your tour! Please!!" Seeing as this is not how these transactions normally go, we both kind of stood there momentarily confused. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He explained that the tour was 2 hours, would cover 4 stops and cost $20. I was already set to say yes when he said the most magical words. "And you will probably see monkeys" Take my money and take it now!!!</div><div><br /></div>I got into a van full of German cruisers and set off to stop #1, a spice farm. This is only fitting as Grenada is known as the Isle of Spice. The climate and soil are ideal for growing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, mace and nutmeg. Everywhere you go, you find spice vendors. Now we got to see what the plants actually looked like and learn about how they are processed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofcTAm9AMzeHjexRVMA6klrroOHdN-6AVDVC-1IrpyE-bzEX7DBOf3QWdSl18L4lEnQNwmz5l5Jg7OeuLhMDXBPLY5WYd1ScwdmSYL3pItMBdVwPt0EFxzo9wlKrsf693h81BD1ZJ18Ftlv9SwSmOcaYUm7nX0Lz3pMIdxw_EeKChZjdKOrq_sIxpbw/s4032/IMG_2557.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofcTAm9AMzeHjexRVMA6klrroOHdN-6AVDVC-1IrpyE-bzEX7DBOf3QWdSl18L4lEnQNwmz5l5Jg7OeuLhMDXBPLY5WYd1ScwdmSYL3pItMBdVwPt0EFxzo9wlKrsf693h81BD1ZJ18Ftlv9SwSmOcaYUm7nX0Lz3pMIdxw_EeKChZjdKOrq_sIxpbw/w480-h640/IMG_2557.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This particular spice farm had a lot of rules but they also had a lot of plants so I guess it all cancels itself out.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf2HPyE3NSTll_Sg-yAJfIdm-oZFH-dqfzDhfs_YM7A-UaylESrqtSNfgg_N9zFKaza-xh_N9fs5F42BOqjxH7hQ0F5uju4ZwztFbKkpetYeRLlFu1DVg8cQt4G8DIKrqFmHng8QHcrXS1aP0qFj1xnv6pFHDLISHwtl_TBoJd6MSYYxgOzuC70_buw/s4032/IMG_2558.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf2HPyE3NSTll_Sg-yAJfIdm-oZFH-dqfzDhfs_YM7A-UaylESrqtSNfgg_N9zFKaza-xh_N9fs5F42BOqjxH7hQ0F5uju4ZwztFbKkpetYeRLlFu1DVg8cQt4G8DIKrqFmHng8QHcrXS1aP0qFj1xnv6pFHDLISHwtl_TBoJd6MSYYxgOzuC70_buw/w480-h640/IMG_2558.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full-nakedness, on the other hand, is encouraged.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our guide picked and plucked and had us smelling all kinds of deliciousness. I may even have pocketed a sprig of lemongrass to sniff later on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S1BPcanGPVSy4owxBf9bQZb2FKjfI4G2rVKlJ9EKcsRUOuNGdSsxhZUqLrVsLp8nQjt3EFTW6g54fRXR8cYW7LNKekSMblmDctshAl54JRqUK1wO4n8URYIyVIa4Oh-itLGvo4u7PYOFi5kUAqb0DrbNI2UOBc_0n4VPVHVFDy0qaiMcHRyz4yTVRQ/s4032/IMG_2561.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7S1BPcanGPVSy4owxBf9bQZb2FKjfI4G2rVKlJ9EKcsRUOuNGdSsxhZUqLrVsLp8nQjt3EFTW6g54fRXR8cYW7LNKekSMblmDctshAl54JRqUK1wO4n8URYIyVIa4Oh-itLGvo4u7PYOFi5kUAqb0DrbNI2UOBc_0n4VPVHVFDy0qaiMcHRyz4yTVRQ/w480-h640/IMG_2561.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacao Tree or as I prefer to call it a Pre-chocolate Tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b1ywv3nEtTBu5_TCYQ5wez9-2WNO_-wwOYMVFdFX3CfSoBtTl6I2AnM4rRkaQ-1fOS-psvOkHm0egC1GpN59HtyywOvSZrQsEYENXxgj3qYoX2dKp1JlqpSTtoj-_ek3VnlV71_4c0FmTeLLlBeteDWqdwqt6tTJW7WOn1ZfXOIBvz4rk2ZAf51ESA/s4032/IMG_2537.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b1ywv3nEtTBu5_TCYQ5wez9-2WNO_-wwOYMVFdFX3CfSoBtTl6I2AnM4rRkaQ-1fOS-psvOkHm0egC1GpN59HtyywOvSZrQsEYENXxgj3qYoX2dKp1JlqpSTtoj-_ek3VnlV71_4c0FmTeLLlBeteDWqdwqt6tTJW7WOn1ZfXOIBvz4rk2ZAf51ESA/w480-h640/IMG_2537.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenada is second to only Indonesia in nutmeg production<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our stroll through the gardens came the best part. We would have a chance to taste many of the things we had just seen. The Germans had varying levels of English proficiency so the instructions were kept to their most basic. When we were handed cacao seeds, they came with the direction "Only suck, no bite". This is due to the fact that cacao is bitter af before extensive processing. Cinnamon sticks came with the following guidance: "No mouth, only smell" and so it went until we got to another of the island's chief exports. It was time for the rum tasting. Why there was no disclaimer when our guide had us do shots of jet fuel remains a mystery to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagZaAW7DvTuPFyNfQwSwEczsKxdeBMQwnLVSg7SFoopAg4ItT9Q8IwcH_91-4OeH1jEE8m2_4wy5rR1fNlDo1ptS_M6nYumEl-4_neEFvo9CpJGnjI8VdEfHffYlgYTgMeJoZkrYAaTuyLmJioCxxESt4-BWSgqFCn99Qpp7ldwigzGca4ryl-U2p2A/s4032/IMG_2564.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagZaAW7DvTuPFyNfQwSwEczsKxdeBMQwnLVSg7SFoopAg4ItT9Q8IwcH_91-4OeH1jEE8m2_4wy5rR1fNlDo1ptS_M6nYumEl-4_neEFvo9CpJGnjI8VdEfHffYlgYTgMeJoZkrYAaTuyLmJioCxxESt4-BWSgqFCn99Qpp7ldwigzGca4ryl-U2p2A/w480-h640/IMG_2564.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To atone for this, he did add fresh nutmeg to our rum punch, so all was forgiven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-aUsBGPeJ1zpPjc4va9kV_JIZRDkIKLFq5dPtKEiNZhQBOyUUCPIXg5BcGc9RnpasV0k8EIUg7L3IIHTpHg-M8vBqb9pgjUiO0xmH8jLq9Ps0HYY6b9QdV3wGmXy3l-xU8Bp4Jb86tdyzZl4pK7FuVeX_QVT48o3epHBoFErMV7cIVOYenv6mzWVJQ/s4032/IMG_2569.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-aUsBGPeJ1zpPjc4va9kV_JIZRDkIKLFq5dPtKEiNZhQBOyUUCPIXg5BcGc9RnpasV0k8EIUg7L3IIHTpHg-M8vBqb9pgjUiO0xmH8jLq9Ps0HYY6b9QdV3wGmXy3l-xU8Bp4Jb86tdyzZl4pK7FuVeX_QVT48o3epHBoFErMV7cIVOYenv6mzWVJQ/w480-h640/IMG_2569.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEn3bzwzNZG3B5kkWOKS9UiIfsM2NR7PtW5oif_1i3qj4RIgLfUEfSrQ_3p7lgF0oFc7l1cL6T7qUfqqmPleylXpCDK-L4dvX9p3yzsT3eCZrqxuuNugnXDudbcJHFjMsNrRmkGvfqp0Xb_Oe-g8uEy8a3TKR2HNsHRPLPm9O9jGNhbfL8WPJLWAmZQ/s4032/IMG_2552.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEn3bzwzNZG3B5kkWOKS9UiIfsM2NR7PtW5oif_1i3qj4RIgLfUEfSrQ_3p7lgF0oFc7l1cL6T7qUfqqmPleylXpCDK-L4dvX9p3yzsT3eCZrqxuuNugnXDudbcJHFjMsNrRmkGvfqp0Xb_Oe-g8uEy8a3TKR2HNsHRPLPm9O9jGNhbfL8WPJLWAmZQ/w640-h480/IMG_2552.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the presentation, I was looking forward to purchasing all kinds of rum and spices but alas, there was no credit card machine on the premises and I was low on cash. This led me to a greater concern. Since I had set off in the morning with the intent of diving- a very credit card friendly endeavor- I had not bothered to go to an ATM. In my wallet, I had $20 US, enough to cover the tour and $20 Eastern Caribbean (about $7.50 US). I knew the next two stops had entrance fees. What if I didn't have enough money for the monkeys?? Was I going to have to panhandle for monkey money???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I posed this question to my guide at the next stop, Annadale Falls. He did some quick calculations and informed me I would be ok. With that cleared up, I walked down to the two waterfalls. They were ok but an unfortunately placed tarp on the second one made it impossible to get a good pic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFnwZNgj7KzLaljaOZPv4wjT8nBos4q__M8qaYpU-J61unYeFlCKAzslqogZXgpeHUh6WnvYhGfNTQU1xyw0Njh_rtt1AaR7qBg4QFtndH4hIKTePuif43cvw8Ni3g-J_zk3xfUCXhsLsul1qTkIlfsknYe2of-MUIlpAeSI1qoCymYfoDgbMbniUMg/s4032/IMG_2574.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFnwZNgj7KzLaljaOZPv4wjT8nBos4q__M8qaYpU-J61unYeFlCKAzslqogZXgpeHUh6WnvYhGfNTQU1xyw0Njh_rtt1AaR7qBg4QFtndH4hIKTePuif43cvw8Ni3g-J_zk3xfUCXhsLsul1qTkIlfsknYe2of-MUIlpAeSI1qoCymYfoDgbMbniUMg/w480-h640/IMG_2574.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeNP41JVIgiU8lSCUp6n3mXbMFpdYLsEbIM70dw79caM8G0y03MQ9Y_gjue1uOEHGzZRj_5MM5VX1jEmRuuxsSgnuTZsxCn_sEj0VBpaAX6FC0KHQoTRMMaiSNlM_EDBzZC-_ploD5ZHcouOiriddr1YhnNolD-LbF7W4vTiuW2Bv-JlOUA0MdxHg5g/s4032/IMG_2584.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeNP41JVIgiU8lSCUp6n3mXbMFpdYLsEbIM70dw79caM8G0y03MQ9Y_gjue1uOEHGzZRj_5MM5VX1jEmRuuxsSgnuTZsxCn_sEj0VBpaAX6FC0KHQoTRMMaiSNlM_EDBzZC-_ploD5ZHcouOiriddr1YhnNolD-LbF7W4vTiuW2Bv-JlOUA0MdxHg5g/w480-h640/IMG_2584.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Stop #3 was the undisputed highlight, the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve. This is a long way of saying it's the place where the monkeys live. Sure, the lake set in the crater of an extinct volcano was cool but my priorities were elsewhere.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi9x8EviBRUX6eYdJO7n1-F5RCWXb2hE2NxzwcsTI5Ewgk9dm9hqLSK0z5SBqyhId9IMttLNazd9wl9a4vUZ6W-v80ydnWxztPUCXpf8UU1C24dSDh7W5KFsxEqkDSCut6dJIDeqL7eYqzgTSWdowh_AM4K9fPfs21nFa8iQxngwuiRgXfH9XKZG04Q/s4032/IMG_2614.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi9x8EviBRUX6eYdJO7n1-F5RCWXb2hE2NxzwcsTI5Ewgk9dm9hqLSK0z5SBqyhId9IMttLNazd9wl9a4vUZ6W-v80ydnWxztPUCXpf8UU1C24dSDh7W5KFsxEqkDSCut6dJIDeqL7eYqzgTSWdowh_AM4K9fPfs21nFa8iQxngwuiRgXfH9XKZG04Q/w640-h480/IMG_2614.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our guide asked if there were any monkeys around and was told that there was one but he was full and about to head back up into the trees. The reason he was so sated is that park guides give them small pieces of fruit to lure them onto tourists. I am always conflicted about animals as photo props, but it was clear that these were still wild monkeys with the option to avoid humans altogether if they so chose. Also, if I'm being honest, I really wanted to hold a monkey. </div><div><br /></div><div>The guide had me extend my arms and placed a small chunk of banana on my hands. Suddenly, I was holding the world's cutest mona monkey. I expected him to grab his treat and dart back up the tree but instead, he chose to linger. I want to think that he and I even shared some meaningful eye contact but realistically speaking, he was most likely checking out his handsome self in my mirrored sunglasses. </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5-uGpEBwtafNwEZpkSl3yYW7obGh7pW6oF1utLz1VnoracuwW-IkBk4lfnyPa4a8NF1MuBISeTPK6EaeEEFC9I_CzKsZTzNvI8SuA5RDJnM3lS3uV9pkynqcjD89llvJIXtFdBE1H-CA5jGrOivMQxOBShbDctIojr0TvddhFa5c1POw7CzDpNrzOw/s4032/IMG_2595.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5-uGpEBwtafNwEZpkSl3yYW7obGh7pW6oF1utLz1VnoracuwW-IkBk4lfnyPa4a8NF1MuBISeTPK6EaeEEFC9I_CzKsZTzNvI8SuA5RDJnM3lS3uV9pkynqcjD89llvJIXtFdBE1H-CA5jGrOivMQxOBShbDctIojr0TvddhFa5c1POw7CzDpNrzOw/w480-h640/IMG_2595.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQQt6U4ikZYcRptvXMFoR93_MuNuVre-bee98-FNucQlaPm4jB24vWnV4n2YgqPJb2pL5WL_f-Y7AMorucIo2AUEf9pMKstrbSvbtbVl8wdqYjMfvz8OEZ2rDuSqJFqJUeoA_wzHZTZQPRXrV0yYrQoJnz9VP-pjBGwBbBnMzCnaxYbS6KoKnZV34Yw/s4032/IMG_2596.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQQt6U4ikZYcRptvXMFoR93_MuNuVre-bee98-FNucQlaPm4jB24vWnV4n2YgqPJb2pL5WL_f-Y7AMorucIo2AUEf9pMKstrbSvbtbVl8wdqYjMfvz8OEZ2rDuSqJFqJUeoA_wzHZTZQPRXrV0yYrQoJnz9VP-pjBGwBbBnMzCnaxYbS6KoKnZV34Yw/w480-h640/IMG_2596.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He stayed with me a couple of minutes until the guide was able to lure him onto the next tourist. He was indeed full so the fruit was no longer appealing to him and he quickly sprung back into the trees but not before generously posing for many many photos. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK6QVgf1oN94xfoEcSFMKjWlGr_moMDDiG5RWMObhW15WvdxWbidBL9dxQx1eLn1q1vs76Bh9JIYSDQnQ9tS_V5eX261djU38Ll0xUauTUfpb56KrBVE2EYAOUVAkY5iRqoA1ZJGn_0iuLMSc_bURKYh_-YTW2UWgsULoVEel3mRAARLikJ58mgk2TQ/s2850/IMG_2617.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="2006" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK6QVgf1oN94xfoEcSFMKjWlGr_moMDDiG5RWMObhW15WvdxWbidBL9dxQx1eLn1q1vs76Bh9JIYSDQnQ9tS_V5eX261djU38Ll0xUauTUfpb56KrBVE2EYAOUVAkY5iRqoA1ZJGn_0iuLMSc_bURKYh_-YTW2UWgsULoVEel3mRAARLikJ58mgk2TQ/w450-h640/IMG_2617.HEIC" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgajClt_LRIovG0LqwLMs2gvTVetIPzR3Z5GKRGpMlLh2hl_wBDgb0GGgEhY5_j7nH_XPsYCjh1Gi5HN650YV13Lj81NOm0t5FiJdgP0blP5KqQ_fhZ13kJjBO7mkL3h-Mr3Or59Q8hKkvg79yFU9Rp27eub-XqekFYDFQjbU7rIlQNah61KnEv_g8Q/s4032/IMG_2626.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgajClt_LRIovG0LqwLMs2gvTVetIPzR3Z5GKRGpMlLh2hl_wBDgb0GGgEhY5_j7nH_XPsYCjh1Gi5HN650YV13Lj81NOm0t5FiJdgP0blP5KqQ_fhZ13kJjBO7mkL3h-Mr3Or59Q8hKkvg79yFU9Rp27eub-XqekFYDFQjbU7rIlQNah61KnEv_g8Q/w480-h640/IMG_2626.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the trail that leads to the visitor's center, we saw many more monkeys, happily playing in the trees. Despite their chill island vibe, they are not actually indigenous to Grenada. It is believed that they were brought over from Ghana by French colonists in the 18th century.</div><div><br /></div><div>The same rain forest trail led to a pretty spectacular lookout point, highlighting just how lush and verdant the Isle of Spice actually is. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mOkRnMTUvqcXjh5yo9kTLZ5lLOrUxQXTRw-P3i_tXXwnS16u6KwThPvxzKh1azBGV3q3_L2z48HJs9PV78Dt2Y54yw_m0WbeLIbsmlSbkdq5mJbApAsQgQnPHcgWs9eeEsgcwcoP0KyWHSDDpK_jqRbaIFbsmBM3V2zagTW0rjgMBrRJBJmiQTqEKw/s4032/IMG_2644.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mOkRnMTUvqcXjh5yo9kTLZ5lLOrUxQXTRw-P3i_tXXwnS16u6KwThPvxzKh1azBGV3q3_L2z48HJs9PV78Dt2Y54yw_m0WbeLIbsmlSbkdq5mJbApAsQgQnPHcgWs9eeEsgcwcoP0KyWHSDDpK_jqRbaIFbsmBM3V2zagTW0rjgMBrRJBJmiQTqEKw/w640-h480/IMG_2644.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WdpNORKXMJAhlLcFpd_q1L5fuwOupG-sovru_VNHl3GXfai9Qi9vykESxuk_3RqAEHoMO7dARC3gfTdTCqLcqqfuEzTIW4Q7gCjNxaOlDQ87Q1arom1uTI0Avz1T9SXLbWs-kZjiDxqHrnU4q2v2KfAVJ7iqHkktc2DXiACD2Fl_c9xCzVcur9oVbg/s4032/IMG_2647.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WdpNORKXMJAhlLcFpd_q1L5fuwOupG-sovru_VNHl3GXfai9Qi9vykESxuk_3RqAEHoMO7dARC3gfTdTCqLcqqfuEzTIW4Q7gCjNxaOlDQ87Q1arom1uTI0Avz1T9SXLbWs-kZjiDxqHrnU4q2v2KfAVJ7iqHkktc2DXiACD2Fl_c9xCzVcur9oVbg/w480-h640/IMG_2647.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I subconsciously wear a monkey shirt just to show that I was friend, not foe? Maybe. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>The final stop was a very handy one. Our group was getting dropped off at Grand Anse Beach, which was only a fifteen minute walk to my hotel. Had this not been the case, I'm not sure how I would have paid for the return bus trip. I mentioned this to our guide, the same man that had done the math and knew that I was now totally cash poor. Even with this knowledge and the fact that no tip was forthcoming, he insisted on driving me back to my hotel. I'm telling you, the Grenadians are genuinely nice people. I only regret that I misplaced his business card so I can not provide a link to his info. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was now nothing left to do but continue enjoying the day. Where better to do that than the Caribbean's longest infinity pool? Located at the Silversands Luxury Resort, it is even cooler than it sounds. I went with the intent of grabbing a drink, taking a couple of pics and that would be it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D6jgRK5olIyBGDFg7cbgxQUgh8eINTiLp4cjRL_p_8IWJDSFOlH2f1BjoCcfBL7P7FiZW17gJv8eOLLkoZnTJFpR22U0YibiPywXtGedM9xCkofrCqBOzQXeKlkZ3w-uYsksIsWJ3BkZuaehTKCj50IYzq7QxifQVPvYF9MHJLPbdFcSTQTHZP2IHg/s4032/IMG_2657.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_D6jgRK5olIyBGDFg7cbgxQUgh8eINTiLp4cjRL_p_8IWJDSFOlH2f1BjoCcfBL7P7FiZW17gJv8eOLLkoZnTJFpR22U0YibiPywXtGedM9xCkofrCqBOzQXeKlkZ3w-uYsksIsWJ3BkZuaehTKCj50IYzq7QxifQVPvYF9MHJLPbdFcSTQTHZP2IHg/w480-h640/IMG_2657.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But there is no way after seeing that refreshing oasis that I wasn't going in. I grabbed my mango Margarita and casually strolled over to a pool chair, dropped off my stuff and eased into the water. A staff member came over, surely to boot me out. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPdBNpOL9VPWazphx7glmYEMHXQvepCIhU3qk67nEWErWTf_PlwyZYO195xe7n0W5hrtei40U1nnz7AkLc1lQ-WwE1ggIXOeTdtuozNUNwVmovrt7zEYL2LRz2nqRfGPUO_eOXrtoazTmyZLv7rT11A6bCp8DnEBtaGeN_B8EEts1ghAiUap-WYRJtg/s4032/IMG_2680.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPdBNpOL9VPWazphx7glmYEMHXQvepCIhU3qk67nEWErWTf_PlwyZYO195xe7n0W5hrtei40U1nnz7AkLc1lQ-WwE1ggIXOeTdtuozNUNwVmovrt7zEYL2LRz2nqRfGPUO_eOXrtoazTmyZLv7rT11A6bCp8DnEBtaGeN_B8EEts1ghAiUap-WYRJtg/w480-h640/IMG_2680.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nope, instead she offered me a free popsicle. If there is such a thing as a heaven, I'm certain this is what it must be like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UdT73af61Gz72opXWx7iJOeTHzGCWc025JwcMTSa-_71HWjxRd4hUuksKR-d-rDMtQTL5catw_QoG7Ss1x0KA2K0bn8gLW9Fx-_zJgWbD3zK4JWnkasIulFFk6Il_RO6if2fe-lq3G4k8bpI29xzgT1B6RIt3pkm2itluGvwoI4LzNGIJ-HdvQ-fkg/s4032/IMG_2658.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UdT73af61Gz72opXWx7iJOeTHzGCWc025JwcMTSa-_71HWjxRd4hUuksKR-d-rDMtQTL5catw_QoG7Ss1x0KA2K0bn8gLW9Fx-_zJgWbD3zK4JWnkasIulFFk6Il_RO6if2fe-lq3G4k8bpI29xzgT1B6RIt3pkm2itluGvwoI4LzNGIJ-HdvQ-fkg/w480-h640/IMG_2658.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BAnW4xsCYxuSyfYUGtpmPofRGzeXn_RniyoRc6eo_zW4Bgcm1BHEWBLiXLSBQrtJfsORBAu2_XSMEGMrej8wjtSgmikkkyXPYwWgoQFcIj1UH3263W1DPzq6x-Mun1MGUc_IqrUENmrUc2lJMqZgl1VzifEtjpCM8kLpdKzVFjka8alGzSBhcRGF8A/s3088/IMG_2662.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BAnW4xsCYxuSyfYUGtpmPofRGzeXn_RniyoRc6eo_zW4Bgcm1BHEWBLiXLSBQrtJfsORBAu2_XSMEGMrej8wjtSgmikkkyXPYwWgoQFcIj1UH3263W1DPzq6x-Mun1MGUc_IqrUENmrUc2lJMqZgl1VzifEtjpCM8kLpdKzVFjka8alGzSBhcRGF8A/w480-h640/IMG_2662.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62iCYRu2u1x469wVWHXMy9HzCWI1d4azWVSIj6NaWs0kn5h8RV31HX9h3Ix78wW3nC45WPKs_A3kaggkvldW0zquhdRiYbzg6uFU7UoFGRFLWQnRLxTU9Zwbt05Smh5UaDCJv120Z_fMt8zU_lBksgVPBL-VwLEd_KW3dq_XKQ_uZXru9g9w1aKsHFA/s4032/IMG_2665.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62iCYRu2u1x469wVWHXMy9HzCWI1d4azWVSIj6NaWs0kn5h8RV31HX9h3Ix78wW3nC45WPKs_A3kaggkvldW0zquhdRiYbzg6uFU7UoFGRFLWQnRLxTU9Zwbt05Smh5UaDCJv120Z_fMt8zU_lBksgVPBL-VwLEd_KW3dq_XKQ_uZXru9g9w1aKsHFA/w480-h640/IMG_2665.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One drink led to two and I would have stayed there all day but for one last item on my to-do list. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CtvU6bLThn0DB3oYB2MSIuKKEIMlKzwml4RgAVJ7XpSZhBgQkGYXvRJ-pC0mvxAfiV9gnWAPdmnNsLwmCy_axXUekngpY8S6rFtZ9TeVE9Ckzaoe3Xzw5JLvgZdeF8EBez_9hEregwxFDa7vDWujNJJT2b-ZnU_zc1H1ke4WaETVFRvKd7W-X-GGXQ/s4032/IMG_2670.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CtvU6bLThn0DB3oYB2MSIuKKEIMlKzwml4RgAVJ7XpSZhBgQkGYXvRJ-pC0mvxAfiV9gnWAPdmnNsLwmCy_axXUekngpY8S6rFtZ9TeVE9Ckzaoe3Xzw5JLvgZdeF8EBez_9hEregwxFDa7vDWujNJJT2b-ZnU_zc1H1ke4WaETVFRvKd7W-X-GGXQ/w480-h640/IMG_2670.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM-HC5BNSZsf7D8i7gmCY1tfbK1gDkjdfHKlWB6KWzSfQMolpU0SbW7B0mRVcDp7wXYX91Cl-xBV-2iC9YriwgFXvShPxxJ3_guzyAqLAZKQusD7V8iPS6XLIS4yzGBL3W73YtQ61e-GGwL4HXR0XIlgVLpbaJE3IbwIuzzSR1_RHW2NoNNwVlOCcLg/s4032/IMG_2685.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM-HC5BNSZsf7D8i7gmCY1tfbK1gDkjdfHKlWB6KWzSfQMolpU0SbW7B0mRVcDp7wXYX91Cl-xBV-2iC9YriwgFXvShPxxJ3_guzyAqLAZKQusD7V8iPS6XLIS4yzGBL3W73YtQ61e-GGwL4HXR0XIlgVLpbaJE3IbwIuzzSR1_RHW2NoNNwVlOCcLg/w640-h480/IMG_2685.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That evening's big event, the thing that everyone on the island was talking about, was a soccer match between the US and Grenada. It was one of the biggest games ever to be played at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium and seeing a game abroad sounded like fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEITEyPVt8XVOScP0Tb7qQm-4R5oCqrijrjxUDm4WCsc5kvL6kfpM4D68EEM7PZIcgNphUG21hKubAgF4fdnU85jeIl4llO7UEHK6fQXxgSpkZSItUSTM2w2hv7Z25DMKw8iC59rLbAkhQHl3hT3JSFrxi-OZ4yTvhtndJKjxF7TOkKHlauBKwqWZXvw/s4032/IMG_2519.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEITEyPVt8XVOScP0Tb7qQm-4R5oCqrijrjxUDm4WCsc5kvL6kfpM4D68EEM7PZIcgNphUG21hKubAgF4fdnU85jeIl4llO7UEHK6fQXxgSpkZSItUSTM2w2hv7Z25DMKw8iC59rLbAkhQHl3hT3JSFrxi-OZ4yTvhtndJKjxF7TOkKHlauBKwqWZXvw/w480-h640/IMG_2519.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it actually was, even if it was soccer. The fans were super into it, there was live music in the stands, the drinks were crazy cheap (less than $2 for a Carib beer!) and thanks to an unfortunate blowout- I think- they did not add any extra minutes after the game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySlXRX11p_QSSuUxbfH8KSn38be4Ub-_8mIW7YueNuJB2SyNG4a3GkYSNLNVjMcsL7HeITG_luqlU0J-gNysZ-5akn8xF5M3uxE6oJOY31yHjy4cX8dFQRe8IP97M15k5_6vYqwyCBKCJSWWHaL6hYZiUafgQu7YhxPuw7-AyDrhtuQJ2UCwXt1fRzQ/s4032/IMG_2695.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySlXRX11p_QSSuUxbfH8KSn38be4Ub-_8mIW7YueNuJB2SyNG4a3GkYSNLNVjMcsL7HeITG_luqlU0J-gNysZ-5akn8xF5M3uxE6oJOY31yHjy4cX8dFQRe8IP97M15k5_6vYqwyCBKCJSWWHaL6hYZiUafgQu7YhxPuw7-AyDrhtuQJ2UCwXt1fRzQ/w640-h480/IMG_2695.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I returned to the hotel tired but happy. In only one day's time, I'd managed to spice it up, meet a new monkey friend, catch a game and most importantly add country #121 to the list. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-54965529077882996282023-02-07T13:51:00.541-05:002023-03-16T10:11:35.858-05:00Country #120: The most nature-y of nature islands<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcC1-hTqrFqH0SHrLz4L4UjrkaB82lyW9l9mkFceECVAykW_JAG3El_msZCl-yB39_L6LpxJqOVO4qA9Hr4vraEkCZuCSAp3DCoRmo0_z4APt1MuryoyiNc-Yl1h0xqpSexXdaEwD8rYZ7ciqNPKf4_qX7H5rwjILFo6l4Dar82r39bkpqqASSqOUHw/s4032/IMG_1548.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcC1-hTqrFqH0SHrLz4L4UjrkaB82lyW9l9mkFceECVAykW_JAG3El_msZCl-yB39_L6LpxJqOVO4qA9Hr4vraEkCZuCSAp3DCoRmo0_z4APt1MuryoyiNc-Yl1h0xqpSexXdaEwD8rYZ7ciqNPKf4_qX7H5rwjILFo6l4Dar82r39bkpqqASSqOUHw/w640-h480/IMG_1548.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It all started with a billboard. I was going about my day when I saw a giant ad promising direct flights from Miami to Dominica. Although I don't recall the details, I'm sure there was an obligatory picture of a tanned couple splashing around in impossibly blue waters. I, on the other hand, was busy googling "Is Dominica a country?" Turns out it is and has been since 1978 (although they maintain the Brits' annoying habit of driving on the opposite side of the road.) Seeing as I had not added a new country to my count in a while, this was enough to pique my interest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I discovered that a mere 25,000 American miles was all that stood between me and my 120th country, flights were booked and the planning began in earnest. I would go in January/ February to maximize my chances of seeing sperms whales (spoiler alert: no whales, sperm or otherwise, were seen) and I would stay in Roseau, the capital city on the southern end of the island. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My research led me to two unassailable truths. First, Dominica is widely known as the Nature Island. It is aggressively lush and has somehow been able to stave off the rampant over-development that has engulfed many of its neighbors. Second- and if I convey nothing else, I want it to be this- it is not the Dominican Republic. DR is an altogether separate country located in Hispaniola. Dominica is an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean, somewhere between Martinique and Guadalupe. Two separate places. This should be obvious but the number of times I tried to look up things to do in Dominica only to get ads for resorts in Puntacana was troubling. More so, when I told people I was going to Dominica and they would begin waxing rhapsodic about mangu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arriving into Douglas-Charles airport, in the northeast part of the island, removes any doubt as to whether the Nature Isle moniker is well-deserved. First, there is this crazy approach where you come in over the water, while looking at towering hill immediately to your left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ1h7UCK5-kp5W9ozaIcudb-gUuFEvdVOQhzSRjS6D_Zkyhd76QFFp0DUx9VgH3YRbNme_71Db4bVwqbh6ZGeID1ruaEhKSsOlwjiUUroukB2k2kg_iRG4TyTm-g5dVdgeTeOHJ9wz9423uW-0mBGXyCoKhxTe8DTm6yNcuoRgSh6w7-MQkZlisJa4A/s4032/IMG_1532.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ1h7UCK5-kp5W9ozaIcudb-gUuFEvdVOQhzSRjS6D_Zkyhd76QFFp0DUx9VgH3YRbNme_71Db4bVwqbh6ZGeID1ruaEhKSsOlwjiUUroukB2k2kg_iRG4TyTm-g5dVdgeTeOHJ9wz9423uW-0mBGXyCoKhxTe8DTm6yNcuoRgSh6w7-MQkZlisJa4A/w300-h400/IMG_1532.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there is the drive from the airport to Roseau, which cuts through the stunning center of the island. They should seriously market it as its own attraction. Call it a scenic parkway or give it a catchy marketing slogan, that way at least you could justify the $80 cab ride into town. Everything comes with a catch. Dominica is blessedly free of mass tourism (with the exception of the almost daily invading cruise ships) but the result is that there is little to none non-cruise ship tourism infrastructure. Public transportation from the airport involves a long walk and an optimistic belief that a bus will actually come. Rideshare apps are non-existent. The only options are either to rent a car (and be tormented by left hand driving rules) or take an overpriced taxi. I stumbled upon option C by catching a ride with some locals who agreed to take me for $40.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK5BPChfuUHS_0ML8nBlIt-az-9NXjDX48y4KF56H9Tc5RB186uSiOk5BzslhruxKVhKkxDzvr2SRZnOlHJPRsYZFOxRKS9tlFAFzDMvN5bDzRASd8lLVFJsmVxaRuYkCfr3H5rAh50g3qD45dgi3Rzu1uptHyQbUrXdOUZHyCdUUkWzxNrHmxMIpaw/s4032/3A1C5BCC-C18F-47FC-A40D-9871DDEC97AF_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK5BPChfuUHS_0ML8nBlIt-az-9NXjDX48y4KF56H9Tc5RB186uSiOk5BzslhruxKVhKkxDzvr2SRZnOlHJPRsYZFOxRKS9tlFAFzDMvN5bDzRASd8lLVFJsmVxaRuYkCfr3H5rAh50g3qD45dgi3Rzu1uptHyQbUrXdOUZHyCdUUkWzxNrHmxMIpaw/w640-h480/3A1C5BCC-C18F-47FC-A40D-9871DDEC97AF_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKr5NJbPIpxvW6swcEZtgvrE_zH9-TqMVH46pJ2YseuFpkdM4M-hSp-ecLdLipEoA7Ikv09s6wRnKb_jxZN7FH8MrVuy9czDf1UwpleX7IfvXVZFiucTTI2KIGuZPZO5qIJTJuiFJ4aPad7-OZz4ZeW2z5orN0h7FfxwplCpZMj3JJvlumOz_UQKcWg/s4032/IMG_2003.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKr5NJbPIpxvW6swcEZtgvrE_zH9-TqMVH46pJ2YseuFpkdM4M-hSp-ecLdLipEoA7Ikv09s6wRnKb_jxZN7FH8MrVuy9czDf1UwpleX7IfvXVZFiucTTI2KIGuZPZO5qIJTJuiFJ4aPad7-OZz4ZeW2z5orN0h7FfxwplCpZMj3JJvlumOz_UQKcWg/w640-h480/IMG_2003.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC75bpcwLwfEA1n1fV_DLtuzJ-mE2KUh0FYLaQOKUReCYAdJ6qV8o5DFFDSTUnkPJ3tZL3jMpPdv6IrP3I_x_HPX4Kn0DPaO0ywonfnQ2EntGlPyEasOO0Sz4f1VEIKY2rZRITbxwJNuFWbtJtB7K60Min4NmSnEb9mm3qeptD3qsLuHMJgwRP-gOBQ/s4032/9D47CED5-006D-4379-97F9-C4D0EE061AB5_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC75bpcwLwfEA1n1fV_DLtuzJ-mE2KUh0FYLaQOKUReCYAdJ6qV8o5DFFDSTUnkPJ3tZL3jMpPdv6IrP3I_x_HPX4Kn0DPaO0ywonfnQ2EntGlPyEasOO0Sz4f1VEIKY2rZRITbxwJNuFWbtJtB7K60Min4NmSnEb9mm3qeptD3qsLuHMJgwRP-gOBQ/w640-h480/9D47CED5-006D-4379-97F9-C4D0EE061AB5_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>They dropped me off at the Roseau Hostel and Beachfront Property, which further cemented Dominica's ability to deliver on its promises. It was indeed a hostel and it was on the beach. Both elements came in handy at the end of the day, as there were nightly gatherings to watch the sunset and catch up on each others' days.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k2DOR9Ma0PfaOZgJgVWnI9DmLeYpcTRsM0o1FzY-AtS-iIL1fnB8rtxURdbz2sCwRpfmA2Adq_1Ofczm6luDAVUsz0vmq3VQqOKl6R-RmpvfGPzg4e5KgtjIMiY9E-p7XRw6m_qx530w7-XF_xIXTWa5cg1pDFH1zVceRqLu3OnQWj28FWzvVVxzAA/s4032/IMG_1546.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k2DOR9Ma0PfaOZgJgVWnI9DmLeYpcTRsM0o1FzY-AtS-iIL1fnB8rtxURdbz2sCwRpfmA2Adq_1Ofczm6luDAVUsz0vmq3VQqOKl6R-RmpvfGPzg4e5KgtjIMiY9E-p7XRw6m_qx530w7-XF_xIXTWa5cg1pDFH1zVceRqLu3OnQWj28FWzvVVxzAA/w480-h640/IMG_1546.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWKJvXPS9bf83--FZjarIrgtmH4VYODeIG-5z10rvgU6VqePTPM5xEowsCQbFJ13UzcfO6v8rDpZnAD_Fj5Z4HkyDa2EzMZA6qZXG-VSfAmCBQhxLr99Ojf3CEctb4XLJUPGGmIGhtBJHdey-43QmXsxJUrCL7NtkOJu0VZdCYg1uRjtTiUfFYexPMA/s4032/IMG_1563.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWKJvXPS9bf83--FZjarIrgtmH4VYODeIG-5z10rvgU6VqePTPM5xEowsCQbFJ13UzcfO6v8rDpZnAD_Fj5Z4HkyDa2EzMZA6qZXG-VSfAmCBQhxLr99Ojf3CEctb4XLJUPGGmIGhtBJHdey-43QmXsxJUrCL7NtkOJu0VZdCYg1uRjtTiUfFYexPMA/w640-h480/IMG_1563.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz7_S9D6M4vvsCSUwl2wb6iYoI1hvjxxsKovgwe7ynuoOunfWassNycW20hBiArur3u6x4m9FKx12XZhi75Qz-avmacF2ByOrbuloirH-zQ591viI3CPXITcltW9RlEYdnQPFBJVkKcjyt_hgIg_OcXyYBBzdOQtpuu4fLBJeiJUP0GbE5pPTMa6LNA/s4032/IMG_1564.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz7_S9D6M4vvsCSUwl2wb6iYoI1hvjxxsKovgwe7ynuoOunfWassNycW20hBiArur3u6x4m9FKx12XZhi75Qz-avmacF2ByOrbuloirH-zQ591viI3CPXITcltW9RlEYdnQPFBJVkKcjyt_hgIg_OcXyYBBzdOQtpuu4fLBJeiJUP0GbE5pPTMa6LNA/w640-h480/IMG_1564.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKpxQ9lbB_kIXoJI5qQIFQEwfwhG1Q661CoU6fEkbIfpoxPs5GFmNmrAQCgD1kKV2tF1LCQjjpLcuGTXLqdRVnoPEn5Sb11VzB7y5aV564RoOOvPKgp9q183SxmziAHqpfLE2mC4VFYyEbHJ01JtW3YMpU9QrAzJGJ9LF8bDGA3NFMCoVRAOz-bLE3A/s4032/IMG_1584.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKpxQ9lbB_kIXoJI5qQIFQEwfwhG1Q661CoU6fEkbIfpoxPs5GFmNmrAQCgD1kKV2tF1LCQjjpLcuGTXLqdRVnoPEn5Sb11VzB7y5aV564RoOOvPKgp9q183SxmziAHqpfLE2mC4VFYyEbHJ01JtW3YMpU9QrAzJGJ9LF8bDGA3NFMCoVRAOz-bLE3A/w640-h480/IMG_1584.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My plan had been to do multiple dives but I was thwarted by a traveling dive club. A group of American divers had booked the only dive center in Roseau for the entirety of my stay. On day one, I lucked out when one of them missed their flight and I was able to jump on the boat. They were a nice enough bunch but there was one woman who I'm certain was introduced to diving by her beleaguered spouse in the hopes that she would at least shut the fuck up while underwater. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a shame because the diving was pretty great, with healthy reefs and cool stuff like seahorses and frogfish. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iuxdWP1bxYl5S4TMbTQLiBNJodwqiL4tnThFSIzULgL--jq11Sx93GUuradCCha_JX5IBJQfrxr7TkHR5_XDYP5tfCJg-sHyAo8Ol81QsdS-J2A4qJIvqm2A6JtXF8xeKlwRSXJHYaTBaWmjBDLYNZazTPhTVybxzzq67Q3sZYVLuHXIMkcuP-nVOA/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iuxdWP1bxYl5S4TMbTQLiBNJodwqiL4tnThFSIzULgL--jq11Sx93GUuradCCha_JX5IBJQfrxr7TkHR5_XDYP5tfCJg-sHyAo8Ol81QsdS-J2A4qJIvqm2A6JtXF8xeKlwRSXJHYaTBaWmjBDLYNZazTPhTVybxzzq67Q3sZYVLuHXIMkcuP-nVOA/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecWq1VtruPUICF_DnZUOiPWUxBGGfaz9WnWevGCoqLjr95zlM-yYL1GHVP0RsePlDbNMvUDGgOsXjX1l2f9tM0C9-7_8ZF6Ty_jBGHOLGI7wC6qD7z-1ZeR_iiQXRqBh9b7bbiUcRTysPMnViUTl9TpqvG9pxhvJ1m-yai-sTE-J2muxEf_9WmxlBDQ/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecWq1VtruPUICF_DnZUOiPWUxBGGfaz9WnWevGCoqLjr95zlM-yYL1GHVP0RsePlDbNMvUDGgOsXjX1l2f9tM0C9-7_8ZF6Ty_jBGHOLGI7wC6qD7z-1ZeR_iiQXRqBh9b7bbiUcRTysPMnViUTl9TpqvG9pxhvJ1m-yai-sTE-J2muxEf_9WmxlBDQ/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAjhd3JxlTBybU5i42js4fYDB-Svt9RJkvXM1IDOl4adO1GfLVi79eUC55-4q0kKCv2OkD3dTubF4aFMCbaFgJCm9Y7mG5vavyq0dt5CgH1PwL7OG9MUJP97t8hpWVPrtdbofq5DNNieEqqSjbaAhHZ4ckDB-oJnVIudZglrO-iu6IMGXSy48hX1eAQ/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAjhd3JxlTBybU5i42js4fYDB-Svt9RJkvXM1IDOl4adO1GfLVi79eUC55-4q0kKCv2OkD3dTubF4aFMCbaFgJCm9Y7mG5vavyq0dt5CgH1PwL7OG9MUJP97t8hpWVPrtdbofq5DNNieEqqSjbaAhHZ4ckDB-oJnVIudZglrO-iu6IMGXSy48hX1eAQ/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Lucky for me, the land portion of Dominica was pretty fantastic as well. A short walk from the hostel was the Botanical Garden, home of Smushy the Bus. I don't know if that is its actual name but ever since Hurricane David shoved a Baobab atop it, I think it's fitting enough.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich5GZU5qcl0xEB9EzG9qPkRRbGGUMYHr3qGHVDJlTCT6QsGK79eJLOSpnzzPfIvjyTKeUZgyMYQWHhdi6824LXzaviJSNY-FaQVNDDLxKcLvk44mZTq-Y9XXnevNsugL9K_RuWgzu5UV9FBJwJNeHr1cxNlUVI2_Wzav7UpgAbB7dLBfUQ94wx3-seg/s4032/IMG_1574.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich5GZU5qcl0xEB9EzG9qPkRRbGGUMYHr3qGHVDJlTCT6QsGK79eJLOSpnzzPfIvjyTKeUZgyMYQWHhdi6824LXzaviJSNY-FaQVNDDLxKcLvk44mZTq-Y9XXnevNsugL9K_RuWgzu5UV9FBJwJNeHr1cxNlUVI2_Wzav7UpgAbB7dLBfUQ94wx3-seg/w640-h480/IMG_1574.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to Smushy, the Garden has Jack's Walk, a 20 minute hike to an overlook that stands over the entire city of Roseau.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysIznEwASngQo9-xQ8VMRgN33lijK7Uw69_EjmgNMr2XHmRAiAsvJR9lBU8rz7HKBvwkS_1S5lfYnRBNPRqFw-u5_MsKD18ISpSfuOpJkYBUNVb8dCMtfhnvdPf9UXpoNt_eOkw5SCLXCtO5jepe6uUIy35XRNGneVV5uA9potEr1iKS7b-78hf8Tog/s4032/IMG_1914.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysIznEwASngQo9-xQ8VMRgN33lijK7Uw69_EjmgNMr2XHmRAiAsvJR9lBU8rz7HKBvwkS_1S5lfYnRBNPRqFw-u5_MsKD18ISpSfuOpJkYBUNVb8dCMtfhnvdPf9UXpoNt_eOkw5SCLXCtO5jepe6uUIy35XRNGneVV5uA9potEr1iKS7b-78hf8Tog/w640-h480/IMG_1914.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little closer to home, next to a soccer field, was this play on Sesame Street. As I approached, a young guy watching the game said "Welcome to Cesseme Street, would you like to buy some ganga, weed, marijuana?" It is this level of commitment to clear communication- note all the ways he referred to the same product- that would surely make PBS proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqBJaDFvjiS5l5546EE1JF0R2Tj6I9inKZLUuWxojP2O8vldrVT3wG4kim1F-WMI4y86EDqRa_z4-EH5hW9U7MfCRy_LHzGk5FMrzyHyRHDPDXujhCtqwhI4ikTnmtH_r_4az1424RHazx-Buc9uAi_Iof_AVxDcRnu_BMXmDsmnf9SnXQ7uKq4-pkQ/s4032/IMG_1581.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqBJaDFvjiS5l5546EE1JF0R2Tj6I9inKZLUuWxojP2O8vldrVT3wG4kim1F-WMI4y86EDqRa_z4-EH5hW9U7MfCRy_LHzGk5FMrzyHyRHDPDXujhCtqwhI4ikTnmtH_r_4az1424RHazx-Buc9uAi_Iof_AVxDcRnu_BMXmDsmnf9SnXQ7uKq4-pkQ/w640-h480/IMG_1581.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOePBUpP_NYTPn7B4BmoDiza_EKIBMABxovTmotacGHhIL50qIcBbKRsNDcWeVkVM2N6zIseXvmoxBaabo0NSjWYrxN8JvPUD8HEFzHeIZauNtb-Y-U9WAKLy472H4o3XC5MXqCbJZ1MGJWV3c6guTJgZEF3QRJqHfPbirSeqQB5LQffLZQ_BuqbFmUQ/s4032/IMG_1580.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOePBUpP_NYTPn7B4BmoDiza_EKIBMABxovTmotacGHhIL50qIcBbKRsNDcWeVkVM2N6zIseXvmoxBaabo0NSjWYrxN8JvPUD8HEFzHeIZauNtb-Y-U9WAKLy472H4o3XC5MXqCbJZ1MGJWV3c6guTJgZEF3QRJqHfPbirSeqQB5LQffLZQ_BuqbFmUQ/w640-h480/IMG_1580.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Presidential Palace</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJo7CyVoYZMkkJ7aGiuz3NJTi2u4JJRpMcRjH0XNralGvLWXMvdyvP9sR4rxp6pIX3K3iY0wvkwjONmZSQn9zyqe15hB701o_T3XQmpdjxS8u9oRPus0tsH3XXGXUvDWH05r1mepkISjVDPyi3UYwdpP2vkAfUllrBgJbfA8Ehbf0g8lGJInvyIRatw/s4032/IMG_1578.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJo7CyVoYZMkkJ7aGiuz3NJTi2u4JJRpMcRjH0XNralGvLWXMvdyvP9sR4rxp6pIX3K3iY0wvkwjONmZSQn9zyqe15hB701o_T3XQmpdjxS8u9oRPus0tsH3XXGXUvDWH05r1mepkISjVDPyi3UYwdpP2vkAfUllrBgJbfA8Ehbf0g8lGJInvyIRatw/w480-h640/IMG_1578.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On day two, unable to dive and not willing to pay the exorbitant taxi fees, I was a bit stuck for things to do. I wandered down to the tourism office, which of course is right across from the cruise ship port. There I found a battalion of mini-vans haggling for anyone stepping foot off of the ship. After a bit of haggling, I found myself with two British couples on one of the better tours being offered. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bUwXxQDRjxFooh2iX4xsAz-etdBwNEAy3Lu2CvelgOgwAVxxAouIEZRzG6fGYnpjDYoQWwQE2j1VCrfTZ1oDoqPd20Zi3FABepp_vCziLq6qwkTkj_y536VDtMVPtynoZd_Y6frQz_Sc_nMvV6zrR3nInPdegQALl_V3VzKRbZ8oMu9O-y2WJAR8eg/s4032/IMG_1918.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bUwXxQDRjxFooh2iX4xsAz-etdBwNEAy3Lu2CvelgOgwAVxxAouIEZRzG6fGYnpjDYoQWwQE2j1VCrfTZ1oDoqPd20Zi3FABepp_vCziLq6qwkTkj_y536VDtMVPtynoZd_Y6frQz_Sc_nMvV6zrR3nInPdegQALl_V3VzKRbZ8oMu9O-y2WJAR8eg/w640-h480/IMG_1918.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Ours was one of the few that went to Titou Gorge. Like most attractions on Dominica, this involves a waterfall. What's special about it is how you get to said falls. In the case of Titou Gorge, you have to swim through the titular gorge and then scamper over some rocks before reaching the falls. Sounds easy enough but the yelps of those who went before me, upon touching the cold water gave me some serious pause. I am a Cuban Miamian. It is in my constitution to hate cold water. I expressed this concern to one of the guides on site. His solution: 'no problem, I'll get you an inner tube. You don't have to swim.' I explained that swimming wasn't the issue. I know how to swim. I just don't want to get into freezing water. His response: 'Here is your inner tube. I will push it.' And this, dear reader, is how I ended up Queen of Sheeba'ing it through Titou Gorge, while everyone else had to swim. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOcFnykt95s" width="320" youtube-src-id="tOcFnykt95s"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It was also how I discovered that the water, while plenty chilly, was not as bad as I had feared. This is a good thing because while I was enjoying the waterfall, some miscreant took off with my inner tube. I may have gone in like river royalty but I came out of there a lowly floating peasant.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FdQuINlEG1GFF8iLuFAeBNRPZhJiIbogqpgXB2cDUqgQ4lhObGXAPtnprlmoO2jHPULtX42qEDWztoviu0P8Uc0hn_JaKRH8L1OKsv80UmU9AT9f_Lxlhz5xsqS7V4ZhiB3a4R-8ybBvq8u-RjCg1vjqLvbx1Q5xbOSfri_355zIiJW23Xg9OIxwjQ/s4032/IMG_1850.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FdQuINlEG1GFF8iLuFAeBNRPZhJiIbogqpgXB2cDUqgQ4lhObGXAPtnprlmoO2jHPULtX42qEDWztoviu0P8Uc0hn_JaKRH8L1OKsv80UmU9AT9f_Lxlhz5xsqS7V4ZhiB3a4R-8ybBvq8u-RjCg1vjqLvbx1Q5xbOSfri_355zIiJW23Xg9OIxwjQ/w480-h640/IMG_1850.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXNPutfmwg2mcHL0oTgspR1Ub2BCtF11cvZz2Di3KFw4fQAIpznDul1aECm42EFPrnhwdWVlBODJw4vUDdPFSmp7LMAvZH8sm2Hpt7QRh3EzVOOu2O1PAnbKNEHdExTFDOnQgoMJCPkYpFX3EHsQX_PpeBHyR9yl87voEafY9KeCMjpA-KkuGs_oOtA/s4032/IMG_1864.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXNPutfmwg2mcHL0oTgspR1Ub2BCtF11cvZz2Di3KFw4fQAIpznDul1aECm42EFPrnhwdWVlBODJw4vUDdPFSmp7LMAvZH8sm2Hpt7QRh3EzVOOu2O1PAnbKNEHdExTFDOnQgoMJCPkYpFX3EHsQX_PpeBHyR9yl87voEafY9KeCMjpA-KkuGs_oOtA/w480-h640/IMG_1864.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some tasty local rum helped us warm up from the inside out before setting off for the next stop.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_mR78cW3o4W4yB6um4lHFG_Zmr_lHRFaXXw6DCdJM3RNz5JHBxIvUtUx7R_u0TJNAJRzCGiQDEh13E8QS5LVSvFxxrfaS0Wj7MsxTZE3b1FaLCiPC2ppJQw32MnsfasZfW-VPPda4CmKNt4mHB9VO9lx_liXqylxBV_gg2InpUNQP-8fUxLtxTlURw/s4032/IMG_1888.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_mR78cW3o4W4yB6um4lHFG_Zmr_lHRFaXXw6DCdJM3RNz5JHBxIvUtUx7R_u0TJNAJRzCGiQDEh13E8QS5LVSvFxxrfaS0Wj7MsxTZE3b1FaLCiPC2ppJQw32MnsfasZfW-VPPda4CmKNt4mHB9VO9lx_liXqylxBV_gg2InpUNQP-8fUxLtxTlURw/w480-h640/IMG_1888.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxO0HyrKKtsPEQJ5We3K30DxF086EukTx7hrj3CNcymgzlmlRwe9eE1Jcambwhk8Hbr4ErLCm4hhwwA_XW4CHdyqzZFLgZUNhBqu57k6ywQ9uEWJE22gv8v8DAcJLYIs510hZSj2Y_obzfCNy_aKuDfigdXAv0gVohbOq0TOZdG-LoJ9MdwIrcOP_iQ/s4032/IMG_1892.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxO0HyrKKtsPEQJ5We3K30DxF086EukTx7hrj3CNcymgzlmlRwe9eE1Jcambwhk8Hbr4ErLCm4hhwwA_XW4CHdyqzZFLgZUNhBqu57k6ywQ9uEWJE22gv8v8DAcJLYIs510hZSj2Y_obzfCNy_aKuDfigdXAv0gVohbOq0TOZdG-LoJ9MdwIrcOP_iQ/w640-h480/IMG_1892.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Stop #2 was Trafalgar Falls. If you think this is a waterfall, you'd be wrong. It is 2 waterfalls, Mother Falls and Father Falls. Point being, this island is replete with waterfalls. I was told that they have 365 waterfalls, one for every day of the year. When pressed as to the accuracy of this, I had a guide concede that it is actually closer to 80, which means there is some serious rounding up taking place by the Dominica Tourism Board. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Oxu0oWQvZk" width="320" youtube-src-id="_Oxu0oWQvZk"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN1RFhR-74oYxRn70apPQwOSUmcvoOa1r7bYmrKpdROZVsJSHOI94SjC9o1SzgEnmLFKfyfP-LkW0i3sRo0mAuh1Z4J7fydQmy9V4dykOW8ZjYou_GXtpymjo0jhkLoRXJ7l0HJs6wHFiOUnqngP-zfm4C6DSLkeLv1K2jT2KEFFHxxe6F1gKEL0aIg/s4032/IMG_1901.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN1RFhR-74oYxRn70apPQwOSUmcvoOa1r7bYmrKpdROZVsJSHOI94SjC9o1SzgEnmLFKfyfP-LkW0i3sRo0mAuh1Z4J7fydQmy9V4dykOW8ZjYou_GXtpymjo0jhkLoRXJ7l0HJs6wHFiOUnqngP-zfm4C6DSLkeLv1K2jT2KEFFHxxe6F1gKEL0aIg/w480-h640/IMG_1901.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0YKWvWyFaUAohNz-dWprH_0RKCEHxnZGWLMuJXc7p-N3ZjBft2am9nABzw4QLZ5QLY5vMklaA-BQwMKed07BK6vazJXlLjA-ANvpBmyL6SHiCoVHToUqzb5uQwSBF_-2vqVx3SPEgPNICOBJg5Mo4xUaWP9GsWI1PoaUfMKKe8F7H6b2WqwH438j_A/s4032/IMG_1907.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0YKWvWyFaUAohNz-dWprH_0RKCEHxnZGWLMuJXc7p-N3ZjBft2am9nABzw4QLZ5QLY5vMklaA-BQwMKed07BK6vazJXlLjA-ANvpBmyL6SHiCoVHToUqzb5uQwSBF_-2vqVx3SPEgPNICOBJg5Mo4xUaWP9GsWI1PoaUfMKKe8F7H6b2WqwH438j_A/w480-h640/IMG_1907.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tour concluded with a stop at a small thermal spring and a visit to the same lookout from Jack's walk. All in all a cool day in the company of some very fun Brits. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 3: Diving was out, there was no ship in town thus no tours, it was time to tackle the public transit system. System might be too generous a term. From best I could tell, the locals rely on private jitneys that run on a schedule of their own making. There are no bus stops, per se. You just have to ask where you should wait if you want to go to x place. In my case, I was trying to get to Scott's Head, on the southern end of the island. I waited where I was instructed to and found myself on the local school bus. We waited about 40 minutes while kids in uniforms piled in one by one. The driver, knowing that junior high age children are the most dangerous thing known to man, had me sit in the passenger seat. This was a move he no doubt regretted as every time he turned to say two words to me, it was met by a chorus of "Ooooh, Mr Jones has a girlfriend". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually we dropped off the last little cretin in Soufriere and my boyfriend and I continued to Scott's Head. I'm not sure what I was expecting but what I found was a hill. Nothing more, nothing less. It was a hill, with a bit of informative signage. I almost turned back but at my boo's insistence, I got off and walked to the top. It was by far the nicest view on an island of nice views. On one side was the Caribbean and on the other the Atlantic. In the distance, Matinique was visible. I took at least 20 versions of essentially the same photo, that's how nice it was.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhqiNAu006z6TtvUSb70bq_cTdvmVOSGsyR6gV22Xnp0Fr_9nyMa3QeL6khKdG2DYaU80skOK5hPgowY3C0ljK1uX-Zv6AGGrNSjaB9Ib8zAeO3mvZVA3Pfl0brlX7ZOBZnzLBdqpJZ5_MRjas74EHuNA4HFCSUDe45JhjoKmwAKbjDooCxTH4w05qw/s4032/IMG_1932.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhqiNAu006z6TtvUSb70bq_cTdvmVOSGsyR6gV22Xnp0Fr_9nyMa3QeL6khKdG2DYaU80skOK5hPgowY3C0ljK1uX-Zv6AGGrNSjaB9Ib8zAeO3mvZVA3Pfl0brlX7ZOBZnzLBdqpJZ5_MRjas74EHuNA4HFCSUDe45JhjoKmwAKbjDooCxTH4w05qw/w640-h480/IMG_1932.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mi amor had told me that once I was done, I could either wait at the roundabout or start walking to Soufriere and flag down the first bus I saw. I opted for the walk. 40 minutes later, I was in Soufriere, not a bus in sight. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I did end up on Bubble Beach, thus named for all the gurgling caused by geothermal activity. I bought a rum punch to rehydrate from my walk and went to dip my toes in the pool. I almost lost those toes. It was hotter than 3 pair of balls in that pool. For sure, any prints I had on those toes have been totally erased. I am now free to commit toe crimes with impunity. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hLoJ6Av0FrJv1uzBAzbfqTRpMPrnxcNL8LZZKFTVzZxwUqUp15dinKcY8ofTF3TK-5ZjPpNIAH9kPsRoa__LnnWeLBTtsyrkjLnLcxxurPW-FdC9nJW2LyKJ6KvIh9J45vU9xjqL-gLaEh05x1Oq5hmyqHlGxavfPfV8Xes0qvM3grogCyBy3GrcHQ/s4032/IMG_1941.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hLoJ6Av0FrJv1uzBAzbfqTRpMPrnxcNL8LZZKFTVzZxwUqUp15dinKcY8ofTF3TK-5ZjPpNIAH9kPsRoa__LnnWeLBTtsyrkjLnLcxxurPW-FdC9nJW2LyKJ6KvIh9J45vU9xjqL-gLaEh05x1Oq5hmyqHlGxavfPfV8Xes0qvM3grogCyBy3GrcHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1941.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42XnO-SlWkCJ3RVDqCSCKHrEDHYc2Cxx_buL5zFJcE4mwx8U3tqAQ63tLzSNOyp5O1sp6FObnYqhmcNkzDr0PdkaJRpVtesRnjTMOZ4dOs_PNr7d1c_2KMk3Rd901oq8F19P5l6kwxA76aw1-grIwH9WtrG6cWFxI9Pwf0C9sIYEeeLPnGNEaUjRc0Q/s4032/IMG_1953.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42XnO-SlWkCJ3RVDqCSCKHrEDHYc2Cxx_buL5zFJcE4mwx8U3tqAQ63tLzSNOyp5O1sp6FObnYqhmcNkzDr0PdkaJRpVtesRnjTMOZ4dOs_PNr7d1c_2KMk3Rd901oq8F19P5l6kwxA76aw1-grIwH9WtrG6cWFxI9Pwf0C9sIYEeeLPnGNEaUjRc0Q/w480-h640/IMG_1953.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Roseau was much too far to walk to so I tried once again to get a bus back home. I don't know if that one ever appeared, either, because a nice couple I had been talking to at the hot springs invited me to catch a ride with them and their friends to the next beach to watch the sunset.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56IsA9sQ5Y4NTojKxWh9nYO9sqbPSw_0ZK4zP7foqqu3dyrfBd60gimjGuIko1T5pAcrfxQBciDUS7GCWTbLuvlNigjH9Dw0bLMvLtUJYSZefUGCUAvGwWQ3VpjI5W-DxboPYSLRkgbRYNd2fowVkar8_I7b9xFwMfxgpnxrmFlL99vH043DMgvNCWA/s4032/IMG_1954.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56IsA9sQ5Y4NTojKxWh9nYO9sqbPSw_0ZK4zP7foqqu3dyrfBd60gimjGuIko1T5pAcrfxQBciDUS7GCWTbLuvlNigjH9Dw0bLMvLtUJYSZefUGCUAvGwWQ3VpjI5W-DxboPYSLRkgbRYNd2fowVkar8_I7b9xFwMfxgpnxrmFlL99vH043DMgvNCWA/w640-h480/IMG_1954.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not normally one to hitchhike but they were 2 of the most adorable couples ever and they had a car. Either one of those factors would have been enough to win me over. </div><div><br /></div><div>We ended up on Champagne Beach, taking novelty pics, playing with stray animals and enjoying a pretty epic sunset. Afterwards, they were nice enough to drop me off at the hostel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u4Ah8n-sLKoTFpkzHfoxvUys7g1tVFkTIihOnlQ4_e-QFnUSTeExNuwKzE_EUc49gVCoONVa_XNrjNux3ZyQYLEFLo51WU9o7p9dQidVOsLBTTEDhfXT-Z1Z_PXbotR___3SBOMViWXSLP8OP_Uzp8lI8pDz4HFNC95xMwllBMLTVCIIUwMB-BNVeg/s1599/b81e8337-cb2f-491d-b203-053fba6d598b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1599" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u4Ah8n-sLKoTFpkzHfoxvUys7g1tVFkTIihOnlQ4_e-QFnUSTeExNuwKzE_EUc49gVCoONVa_XNrjNux3ZyQYLEFLo51WU9o7p9dQidVOsLBTTEDhfXT-Z1Z_PXbotR___3SBOMViWXSLP8OP_Uzp8lI8pDz4HFNC95xMwllBMLTVCIIUwMB-BNVeg/w640-h312/b81e8337-cb2f-491d-b203-053fba6d598b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oUBHIusdoWAzXV7pFVmffOH0mgFuXK0Mg792wv0gTUFmv4i9HmhHM1XzuSQXzy4gOv5B6jpP57oywpKOvTd2F3s_HDsQ8eCzyu9LxA55-ntku7NYQteN6JAK-3gimAW0JlKzW7NqwjTcF2DCiEQDl4gjm3LAIeippADz5aDnbuZQ60B1SRTRCppguw/s4032/IMG_1959.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oUBHIusdoWAzXV7pFVmffOH0mgFuXK0Mg792wv0gTUFmv4i9HmhHM1XzuSQXzy4gOv5B6jpP57oywpKOvTd2F3s_HDsQ8eCzyu9LxA55-ntku7NYQteN6JAK-3gimAW0JlKzW7NqwjTcF2DCiEQDl4gjm3LAIeippADz5aDnbuZQ60B1SRTRCppguw/w480-h640/IMG_1959.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh3RhJUv3mswDJ4N5xKXjxYCU1PQjEv6do8JvJDSWzBl3TsdW44onY0ErJYlM95lQPK1gQfH7iWV0Kzj48DzKYayVudIW781WC60zicOHc_hZkD10MBKrIIVDZBhWDtdAnj68U_5Hz0CcgentOgtWHK4iiXF5T-yFFlWUL9GcxrabR4W03EcwXBensQ/s4032/IMG_1964.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh3RhJUv3mswDJ4N5xKXjxYCU1PQjEv6do8JvJDSWzBl3TsdW44onY0ErJYlM95lQPK1gQfH7iWV0Kzj48DzKYayVudIW781WC60zicOHc_hZkD10MBKrIIVDZBhWDtdAnj68U_5Hz0CcgentOgtWHK4iiXF5T-yFFlWUL9GcxrabR4W03EcwXBensQ/w640-h480/IMG_1964.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9lWy7jGOkIT4vLR4jx83J2ckmNaSmmXUGrs5MvlA1403iNLf43dDxbeOOFgq338SqW8fkoat5CbUXaNIR4QZLUDrNvtXfnrJ4XmudeWV1XrnPWfhc4It7YW5hSbiZKDRTMJ1KSwydJXoDbv6sciIZBHW0GBy3PLVaoEWZXtu2DmTIQrTukrQ-3hzOQ/s3104/IMG_1965.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="3104" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9lWy7jGOkIT4vLR4jx83J2ckmNaSmmXUGrs5MvlA1403iNLf43dDxbeOOFgq338SqW8fkoat5CbUXaNIR4QZLUDrNvtXfnrJ4XmudeWV1XrnPWfhc4It7YW5hSbiZKDRTMJ1KSwydJXoDbv6sciIZBHW0GBy3PLVaoEWZXtu2DmTIQrTukrQ-3hzOQ/w640-h494/IMG_1965.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zjJFlsMdXoYhRHGw_fCKx6Sv9CHIxDo1gv6ZiDdL_XND72sulIWMeAZcAOOOq3n_iuFJFR5TopL8ttNJnVNBnsQCmJy1SEN7T-wOAyd3wsIsQ7o11_CDVwBsq2ShtA1ggw-OQp31aszLCRnno8hTCW48-rQNLprFoF7OT3e7rmvA7AKTf1armshvvw/s4032/IMG_1971.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zjJFlsMdXoYhRHGw_fCKx6Sv9CHIxDo1gv6ZiDdL_XND72sulIWMeAZcAOOOq3n_iuFJFR5TopL8ttNJnVNBnsQCmJy1SEN7T-wOAyd3wsIsQ7o11_CDVwBsq2ShtA1ggw-OQp31aszLCRnno8hTCW48-rQNLprFoF7OT3e7rmvA7AKTf1armshvvw/w640-h480/IMG_1971.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On my final day, I had no choice but to hire a pricey taxi but I justified it by throwing in one condition. I wanted to at least make it a bit of a tour, so I had him stop at one last waterfall. He chose Spanny Falls. In order to get to it, there was a lovely 15 minute walk through the rain forest, making it the perfect parting reminder that Dominica is without question the nature island. And also not the Dominican Republic.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD6FAWl65xzpjN1YmZ_QLwVq37256tRiE23smCCUeJDyWsiLg3A-WBCkar_IpiqKRTQdh7p0z33YJcFPg6tmRNAYdlfD--rEZb_PMYAy6lc7cBh6VmA436AZirn7UscJxI-tulP9LDvrOlQpcMB-B_ISx7fANnVqWD0lMC-BKPeR91CpVz4uDiwnpww/s4032/A3EF6F5D-B81B-4B20-98F0-7C5E4D7746A8_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD6FAWl65xzpjN1YmZ_QLwVq37256tRiE23smCCUeJDyWsiLg3A-WBCkar_IpiqKRTQdh7p0z33YJcFPg6tmRNAYdlfD--rEZb_PMYAy6lc7cBh6VmA436AZirn7UscJxI-tulP9LDvrOlQpcMB-B_ISx7fANnVqWD0lMC-BKPeR91CpVz4uDiwnpww/w480-h640/A3EF6F5D-B81B-4B20-98F0-7C5E4D7746A8_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshY40I0CjNTjZSM3j-wS9_lDVI3xt_bYJIIB1UtwsGwVuOP2hy54Qc83TkK0-7gBxzsU4BdfEbOCGgwkKhGbRbfWHcSrqrlOpEqVFU2Vo1deBVewPjPhRxisq1n20A5F9n0LuCzN1Xi0YRpj1bw9sTvj7xo6lwnPU3Ycm3Dlo4K44O9Pqiw1duVZL_Q/s4032/41953428-7C45-46A1-A07D-36F36C392626_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshY40I0CjNTjZSM3j-wS9_lDVI3xt_bYJIIB1UtwsGwVuOP2hy54Qc83TkK0-7gBxzsU4BdfEbOCGgwkKhGbRbfWHcSrqrlOpEqVFU2Vo1deBVewPjPhRxisq1n20A5F9n0LuCzN1Xi0YRpj1bw9sTvj7xo6lwnPU3Ycm3Dlo4K44O9Pqiw1duVZL_Q/w480-h640/41953428-7C45-46A1-A07D-36F36C392626_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFv8lqgcv6__iPMoHpZuwpV6YIdPeNCYqZonMS_qHyZYsuNEUrUx0u4aBlND4p2fRN2gg6FT6RormImpOiorNmB0Ha5sUiwi7A_YlttFfVoP1FvgHXUjVb07L7SK3m_aziT6aZXV8fTBsYqG0CN35OrH74a6QbNktIPxfWXJYqxYfod4xFKZeD6EVrA/s4032/IMG_1991.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFv8lqgcv6__iPMoHpZuwpV6YIdPeNCYqZonMS_qHyZYsuNEUrUx0u4aBlND4p2fRN2gg6FT6RormImpOiorNmB0Ha5sUiwi7A_YlttFfVoP1FvgHXUjVb07L7SK3m_aziT6aZXV8fTBsYqG0CN35OrH74a6QbNktIPxfWXJYqxYfod4xFKZeD6EVrA/w640-h480/IMG_1991.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-60202437625825235212023-01-24T14:46:00.276-05:002023-03-16T16:15:58.969-05:00That time Bogota tried to kill me<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN1iWEaylj1mL9rB_yk5UyedWbAtmrIi_d6MnVM8XiC8tQCBQxJgZMc90gIfAIiC4ebe9S9upOFOHXd7XSPWzOdTTVUTcocygapu_jd1LzCutK0msu9-ITmzS4eOqmvO-OWp3OLBFqWwmOVg2yqv2KnoWwjKMdfvDkQrD6sfHE5skO_S9lcLC6MxrTQ/s4032/8B08C094-FD9F-4F95-B776-7A0B0EC15F03_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN1iWEaylj1mL9rB_yk5UyedWbAtmrIi_d6MnVM8XiC8tQCBQxJgZMc90gIfAIiC4ebe9S9upOFOHXd7XSPWzOdTTVUTcocygapu_jd1LzCutK0msu9-ITmzS4eOqmvO-OWp3OLBFqWwmOVg2yqv2KnoWwjKMdfvDkQrD6sfHE5skO_S9lcLC6MxrTQ/w640-h480/8B08C094-FD9F-4F95-B776-7A0B0EC15F03_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It didn't have to be like this. I'd been to Bogota twice in the last few months. I knew how much cool stuff there was to do and see. I could have gone back to the cool, funky La Candelaria neighborhood and checked to see if there was any new street art to admire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_A9UjpqDnIg2L-kUceBnwsEX_jd1beIAOhmRPlIlKKoHODKbeyHJIrnN90ihVPBcsgajlPW5FrRhZsG0h4-RgoDeYAU-k9coQCsGAxLVXmunovZOuk4Nugz_W0Z7CaZjIPhvkabq-OYAjK_LoxNjAbVfpStAwRoo_E6broM_gzolnOkvbP2XAw-mtA/s4032/08FB5C91-6228-46E0-8942-562F202CB656_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_A9UjpqDnIg2L-kUceBnwsEX_jd1beIAOhmRPlIlKKoHODKbeyHJIrnN90ihVPBcsgajlPW5FrRhZsG0h4-RgoDeYAU-k9coQCsGAxLVXmunovZOuk4Nugz_W0Z7CaZjIPhvkabq-OYAjK_LoxNjAbVfpStAwRoo_E6broM_gzolnOkvbP2XAw-mtA/w640-h480/08FB5C91-6228-46E0-8942-562F202CB656_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWav7HslROO1M-zgvB2Y5YmOH5GPwlaJAlVQjKb0sh6j293UlBxm5yJNjrfx2j6GQon5aebg-Y5ceyFvH0Ca5Pul_6LS3l2MgshgY5Rwwe2Y75jnRZE9veWpa6R1Cspn4wm4UqvqACBsrUYC3QmWpmf23OyENL4LdnJq9z4clxodhqBV35xFq4tZrEsg/s4032/3FFE8C63-F635-4B1B-82F3-095BEF1A0AAD_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWav7HslROO1M-zgvB2Y5YmOH5GPwlaJAlVQjKb0sh6j293UlBxm5yJNjrfx2j6GQon5aebg-Y5ceyFvH0Ca5Pul_6LS3l2MgshgY5Rwwe2Y75jnRZE9veWpa6R1Cspn4wm4UqvqACBsrUYC3QmWpmf23OyENL4LdnJq9z4clxodhqBV35xFq4tZrEsg/w640-h480/3FFE8C63-F635-4B1B-82F3-095BEF1A0AAD_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsorr_olDPW9Bv063lhvpPvsJjgJXMc8KHgqedpGoRjcrQ7fVaLRzG7rvMn9W3pOqzMNgLg-Zh7e-tsatXDK5s30u7ifUlpz_hz9-YJKjsh1y7VqrXpBwVk8mWC4snjacf9OJ-uv2uPtZW286woLjtEXUdx4ZudFLsaI4ZFQXqLngAfNZfysXlcvDag/s4032/921758C3-DDF2-40FF-AF5F-E5EEB816069A_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsorr_olDPW9Bv063lhvpPvsJjgJXMc8KHgqedpGoRjcrQ7fVaLRzG7rvMn9W3pOqzMNgLg-Zh7e-tsatXDK5s30u7ifUlpz_hz9-YJKjsh1y7VqrXpBwVk8mWC4snjacf9OJ-uv2uPtZW286woLjtEXUdx4ZudFLsaI4ZFQXqLngAfNZfysXlcvDag/w480-h640/921758C3-DDF2-40FF-AF5F-E5EEB816069A_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBWhwUO09_8NPz22Ob6yZERD0HKT5OekQijAHJ_qM1JOBWYZ4gFiGmbmo29QegQSjmMvCOCxqgpb_59Ryn_SxDcpnNIn5Z39M1Z2dHescXPNTVCNcZ2bXRXEbbK9GdDX8IVOz3i9BITJm_iFPQBwPr5eRIcWg3qjVNG7UtDSo0E8TymZ0dFs0wLJ97Q/s4032/IMG_9203.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBWhwUO09_8NPz22Ob6yZERD0HKT5OekQijAHJ_qM1JOBWYZ4gFiGmbmo29QegQSjmMvCOCxqgpb_59Ryn_SxDcpnNIn5Z39M1Z2dHescXPNTVCNcZ2bXRXEbbK9GdDX8IVOz3i9BITJm_iFPQBwPr5eRIcWg3qjVNG7UtDSo0E8TymZ0dFs0wLJ97Q/w480-h640/IMG_9203.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefnwvBvwJVYeOoiXQN7f7foKZ5PTdL5a3q0BItiF1l8SzcJJFl1qeBAne8l3BKIcA_sHNcYxOMMaBj7tR4dqdHyvpeZxH1OfIv757b7BtkxcbyWW6UOaNA6jC24HuSB5OFDcArHBFsnqhuCHwo98Jhjk_LdVBgEGpbb-MV51RmmHOvlF7aaZrsgS70g/s4032/FF376B18-4AAA-48A4-86AA-1C24DE1FEBA7_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefnwvBvwJVYeOoiXQN7f7foKZ5PTdL5a3q0BItiF1l8SzcJJFl1qeBAne8l3BKIcA_sHNcYxOMMaBj7tR4dqdHyvpeZxH1OfIv757b7BtkxcbyWW6UOaNA6jC24HuSB5OFDcArHBFsnqhuCHwo98Jhjk_LdVBgEGpbb-MV51RmmHOvlF7aaZrsgS70g/w640-h480/FF376B18-4AAA-48A4-86AA-1C24DE1FEBA7_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEbeqau2qNEkaF5OorNpKm0yLI-0vZQcOvAfzwrE3_Bs3rQY950evlVuwVNu6ffm7SzaSzHUnDwk8yaagrdxP3EiQS6WY4rtRUv2VodhALXUUR-2YrvRvlAWdHBXw84_bQJbiZoh1mo418Bp7qd7USG0F9NLTzp6Q_c4-lqkiDHns4kvY47czoaOYEg/s4032/B33CB513-9CD4-41CB-BEDC-7E7D84AD3252_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEbeqau2qNEkaF5OorNpKm0yLI-0vZQcOvAfzwrE3_Bs3rQY950evlVuwVNu6ffm7SzaSzHUnDwk8yaagrdxP3EiQS6WY4rtRUv2VodhALXUUR-2YrvRvlAWdHBXw84_bQJbiZoh1mo418Bp7qd7USG0F9NLTzp6Q_c4-lqkiDHns4kvY47czoaOYEg/w640-h480/B33CB513-9CD4-41CB-BEDC-7E7D84AD3252_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could have returned to wonderful Botero Museum. Not only does it have a spectacular collection of native son Fernando Botero's work, it also showcases works he collected along the way. Let's just say the guy has a good eye. His collection includes such names as Picasso, Leger, Dali, Monet and Beckmann. Best of all, the cost to get in is $0.00. I'd already bought the giant heavy-ass book of the museum's collection so I wouldn't even have to carry that all over town, again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5akdUowlKBY2NBHyIRQCGxKGOXb3JwA1ocXocIpNEN-hiPIOvhMy0h6g4ysHGzP9BQlWi3TG3nNmqv7TLC8p-JPCpeVB9KoNauX9_NOS_AZsG1oLU4oTt721X_wwu_bwqIafsxdpNXcLfwq_1yg1lfWEk7nIYix5pHZg4XOu--0B8gM5b3ATEcuy_hA/s4032/6FF1EBCE-4227-45D4-8C69-7F4FE68BBA63_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5akdUowlKBY2NBHyIRQCGxKGOXb3JwA1ocXocIpNEN-hiPIOvhMy0h6g4ysHGzP9BQlWi3TG3nNmqv7TLC8p-JPCpeVB9KoNauX9_NOS_AZsG1oLU4oTt721X_wwu_bwqIafsxdpNXcLfwq_1yg1lfWEk7nIYix5pHZg4XOu--0B8gM5b3ATEcuy_hA/w480-h640/6FF1EBCE-4227-45D4-8C69-7F4FE68BBA63_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYrFId3XwFD4LihLSbl_pu-VAku1VGo15BBu_0rzVqA6GsdmkAYDizjQy5lpJQ7nTtO7DpOW84jVOYLm4_1_6Q2WB6tyt34v_tJjhFMbVeJHhdbr3zwkKEH7IA1Cus55Se4OgVA1JtrYBRGBlqFKtuNSLVibsR-W17OE95Zb_K4pPTBsbHCt2n9BGWg/s4032/3CD0E125-918B-4889-A104-A93643206E50_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYrFId3XwFD4LihLSbl_pu-VAku1VGo15BBu_0rzVqA6GsdmkAYDizjQy5lpJQ7nTtO7DpOW84jVOYLm4_1_6Q2WB6tyt34v_tJjhFMbVeJHhdbr3zwkKEH7IA1Cus55Se4OgVA1JtrYBRGBlqFKtuNSLVibsR-W17OE95Zb_K4pPTBsbHCt2n9BGWg/w480-h640/3CD0E125-918B-4889-A104-A93643206E50_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrDo8LytY_obgFGL_a_ybVhKNb3YzFY6ZQSb0g0OZMYojJI55tVZMV_6kstf4r3lUDxiwWmyWIWoYmADb9ap0XUmQhKPWovhW8rUPPTMJEK2OkkEls3jvFn9RagUQcZfuLiw1CxJYjX282ouw1a3jT_0sTri5LybqO6d8korLja2zWkceiNw67mpy9g/s4032/E9542DD7-EE8B-48A1-A426-D239ECE1A090_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrDo8LytY_obgFGL_a_ybVhKNb3YzFY6ZQSb0g0OZMYojJI55tVZMV_6kstf4r3lUDxiwWmyWIWoYmADb9ap0XUmQhKPWovhW8rUPPTMJEK2OkkEls3jvFn9RagUQcZfuLiw1CxJYjX282ouw1a3jT_0sTri5LybqO6d8korLja2zWkceiNw67mpy9g/w480-h640/E9542DD7-EE8B-48A1-A426-D239ECE1A090_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiozHHWKryU4_7fZZl72-OTAnRYC3mpP0d1A5OFc14I1RmBfu-NvJEhLS2uLg2t56ZoWt--zUSGOLcdoynU2Wk8rvLIz14aQYvRG1d9N8mxMMCNRtdobTGHBSYUEPV1HeyMXJu5oRXJMdJJusjZVhyyWoqC_E_JwI4IsEbarKLg0JHbmCVGZui9ORzSw/s4032/FD8FF3CA-D313-4ACC-9BFB-22FB14E28299_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiozHHWKryU4_7fZZl72-OTAnRYC3mpP0d1A5OFc14I1RmBfu-NvJEhLS2uLg2t56ZoWt--zUSGOLcdoynU2Wk8rvLIz14aQYvRG1d9N8mxMMCNRtdobTGHBSYUEPV1HeyMXJu5oRXJMdJJusjZVhyyWoqC_E_JwI4IsEbarKLg0JHbmCVGZui9ORzSw/w480-h640/FD8FF3CA-D313-4ACC-9BFB-22FB14E28299_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>I could have returned to many great restaurants and bars I'd been to on past visits and rekindled my love affair with the vegetarian Bandeja Paisa and its sidekick, aguardiente.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmg7mqqTpHloErXvr9L6zGZ3e7hdo_ZDa0CuCqgpsYwSDDOWEDQOEi4U7-BGyUfK3uf23LeUtoAmIAldpj3tg1Pq-p8JIbuATI0yCjYrazA-8uHovtZfWN9SNsbVbB___iSsX1BBFk4csAXf6STTAM2Wb9jN5UeF7fpLQv8gAt224YwZEUo7QraqTUg/s4032/F70A070B-5349-47C7-982D-AB60F546C243_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmg7mqqTpHloErXvr9L6zGZ3e7hdo_ZDa0CuCqgpsYwSDDOWEDQOEi4U7-BGyUfK3uf23LeUtoAmIAldpj3tg1Pq-p8JIbuATI0yCjYrazA-8uHovtZfWN9SNsbVbB___iSsX1BBFk4csAXf6STTAM2Wb9jN5UeF7fpLQv8gAt224YwZEUo7QraqTUg/w480-h640/F70A070B-5349-47C7-982D-AB60F546C243_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFqROqANULL40yhsKbucPLjiFcDdZyfS5DmJMOeCnQ5MQWCBe7zeU2o0jikz4A2ZmSnN_4mnwIsSeofPSpZMsKjsnsl1bBFU4aDNJSCYb_hZ8ZPnNa_4T40lubTGDz7tben5oE_f0H1TlQ-aUxJe2WkTFtdtkNDWbCQqrttVUXJXW3xl_53J6JdCGBQ/s4032/IMG_8874.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFqROqANULL40yhsKbucPLjiFcDdZyfS5DmJMOeCnQ5MQWCBe7zeU2o0jikz4A2ZmSnN_4mnwIsSeofPSpZMsKjsnsl1bBFU4aDNJSCYb_hZ8ZPnNa_4T40lubTGDz7tben5oE_f0H1TlQ-aUxJe2WkTFtdtkNDWbCQqrttVUXJXW3xl_53J6JdCGBQ/w480-h640/IMG_8874.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBRI9fdOYWMTj58VC2kKIzfOvA8i2einhsy-rrOOHi5d4ruT9RRM6ABD_C0uxwIWLZ2V7zcXEQNnGUnv6-keUjn2TbdJm_2YIdoD8Y6EwE1UJgkEtV_89JkzO6WQtpaUj0yxy3Y5sOCxVhdkQAw9FhkAZBihjPD6nR7orTypjSCJN4g8f1uuffjye8A/s4032/IMG_0088.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBRI9fdOYWMTj58VC2kKIzfOvA8i2einhsy-rrOOHi5d4ruT9RRM6ABD_C0uxwIWLZ2V7zcXEQNnGUnv6-keUjn2TbdJm_2YIdoD8Y6EwE1UJgkEtV_89JkzO6WQtpaUj0yxy3Y5sOCxVhdkQAw9FhkAZBihjPD6nR7orTypjSCJN4g8f1uuffjye8A/w640-h480/IMG_0088.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik571LkdOAVTAACzw9Z0XAhFRTerT4NC5ggv9zY0MIhaOWSNj0JAIvFTTAi36xIXYYBAqApoHYEViIA2pfV06P9PVipdWbhaXLmyimeoX_N7q2JPiRxTflWZBb82KOyzutLzlq5mjf8y1_jDlov8rxXnyQYWQnWIkcs-e4PJw8hKccWawOBhsTAUl9Q/s4032/2E917624-23BC-415C-8AF5-9902770F8428_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik571LkdOAVTAACzw9Z0XAhFRTerT4NC5ggv9zY0MIhaOWSNj0JAIvFTTAi36xIXYYBAqApoHYEViIA2pfV06P9PVipdWbhaXLmyimeoX_N7q2JPiRxTflWZBb82KOyzutLzlq5mjf8y1_jDlov8rxXnyQYWQnWIkcs-e4PJw8hKccWawOBhsTAUl9Q/w480-h640/2E917624-23BC-415C-8AF5-9902770F8428_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwrW3vPkeG74c4SikQFL_xL3QZ92kYVNKH_ckrCIamFTonK4HUxQXwjCb1Q9j6hH6KQnGCuZY61LgFeMK7Xv-7q_2QxCs7UDMoF5zDXz1xNn9vOeTELwc8h247xKehEKz47SFP3v2ExUMrCXOuoV43xiPvPMUo4CuOp2ylhUS8sw6AIxpCvddMxFGlw/s4032/IMG_9194.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwrW3vPkeG74c4SikQFL_xL3QZ92kYVNKH_ckrCIamFTonK4HUxQXwjCb1Q9j6hH6KQnGCuZY61LgFeMK7Xv-7q_2QxCs7UDMoF5zDXz1xNn9vOeTELwc8h247xKehEKz47SFP3v2ExUMrCXOuoV43xiPvPMUo4CuOp2ylhUS8sw6AIxpCvddMxFGlw/w640-h480/IMG_9194.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0I9N_o664rSV5JZ9ZhsTE4JPr9056MGiBsxopjhEDF0WSdRTiJ5vqITiVird3u3j0nlpFPOhNlk1LvL_NHCSurtRBPLZeMMyGLpXBVtDv6mG3XeCH4rXWxRZYDc88bHsLxA20wu_Z3o5TiVCpJqLqz56H7VqdpgbtszxEdNHF_X6uxUu7M5LHdRYDQ/s4032/IMG_9270.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0I9N_o664rSV5JZ9ZhsTE4JPr9056MGiBsxopjhEDF0WSdRTiJ5vqITiVird3u3j0nlpFPOhNlk1LvL_NHCSurtRBPLZeMMyGLpXBVtDv6mG3XeCH4rXWxRZYDc88bHsLxA20wu_Z3o5TiVCpJqLqz56H7VqdpgbtszxEdNHF_X6uxUu7M5LHdRYDQ/w480-h640/IMG_9270.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hell, I could have gone back and taken the nice comfortable cable car up to the top of Montserrate. It takes you effortlessly to the top of the 10,000 ft mountain that overlooks all of Bogota. The views are fricking amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqT9FBq_ZV_aIKmQ9LPDwux8MA8mCN6vX87evlQkT4DE6n5dWWVZo6ED56x5aRJ8X2jxWsJ904AZWcID6n6i7HsjFY6kMKNou-3bnklorG74X3bJKOA9QGmUq3ddIaMeNtFH7iKAbfrXZCO228dt66l1kaVMk8Epc9toA_MDvGmBRQcWjO2SH3xxv3A/s4032/0006495E-4EF2-4CF8-A3E7-B58BD86C44F8_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqT9FBq_ZV_aIKmQ9LPDwux8MA8mCN6vX87evlQkT4DE6n5dWWVZo6ED56x5aRJ8X2jxWsJ904AZWcID6n6i7HsjFY6kMKNou-3bnklorG74X3bJKOA9QGmUq3ddIaMeNtFH7iKAbfrXZCO228dt66l1kaVMk8Epc9toA_MDvGmBRQcWjO2SH3xxv3A/w480-h640/0006495E-4EF2-4CF8-A3E7-B58BD86C44F8_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE7crMAaR_YwnON3DwVwCggsnCxachvMCZ_ByXqBkVw0NTuAX44EZ8OJaNNgZ7b1FkzvkxIwH5suI4PbXUUjgJAHdYcAL0ucFf3jfvXzWJfIGuvgYEImq8deZkdi_ss7eujt_AGArpNxoX6vNO5NcrMgVb3TLwQMiD70ziuqvhAnDsw-rt6MyrZgSEA/s4032/D395FD6F-E669-4FBE-B71B-4416405ADFDB_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE7crMAaR_YwnON3DwVwCggsnCxachvMCZ_ByXqBkVw0NTuAX44EZ8OJaNNgZ7b1FkzvkxIwH5suI4PbXUUjgJAHdYcAL0ucFf3jfvXzWJfIGuvgYEImq8deZkdi_ss7eujt_AGArpNxoX6vNO5NcrMgVb3TLwQMiD70ziuqvhAnDsw-rt6MyrZgSEA/w640-h480/D395FD6F-E669-4FBE-B71B-4416405ADFDB_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAlOShXve8nTxmSyETGOvb2O47VR_Uwgd3J7gKtLfiiZddJnab1ugHzXf45dqq5Uqy2I4r_Ze2imhnDGPZ0ep_ZZbyOjmxJcjiaiRA3IXxDAsISQwAVrCidOUtD8aol9jQvJNUJihAp90BMvhUnms6u_2_tN4EqOqc94G3i-3osLnYI7uIQ3XUHEphQ/s7332/DFD2ED18-D1EA-4089-ABAF-53175544E3D2_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="7332" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAlOShXve8nTxmSyETGOvb2O47VR_Uwgd3J7gKtLfiiZddJnab1ugHzXf45dqq5Uqy2I4r_Ze2imhnDGPZ0ep_ZZbyOjmxJcjiaiRA3IXxDAsISQwAVrCidOUtD8aol9jQvJNUJihAp90BMvhUnms6u_2_tN4EqOqc94G3i-3osLnYI7uIQ3XUHEphQ/w640-h336/DFD2ED18-D1EA-4089-ABAF-53175544E3D2_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5km95rDdnRy6oJXsM1MzWo8CndvC3j-sfJNpEh53owEhjaytCd8eG-vIPdE9w3-wEGg0Tl1AT9_gl_pZb61QH8ljBTUZeCQQTG8e7vx9XfOossURUUAARvofIjjnL8OmLJOUl90VSVN1LJ8QwqsowS50qGlbrwR5UELOCbdyOpcnQs8ienyU2D_ObA/s4032/B8335D21-695B-4196-B5E2-299A37348F49_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5km95rDdnRy6oJXsM1MzWo8CndvC3j-sfJNpEh53owEhjaytCd8eG-vIPdE9w3-wEGg0Tl1AT9_gl_pZb61QH8ljBTUZeCQQTG8e7vx9XfOossURUUAARvofIjjnL8OmLJOUl90VSVN1LJ8QwqsowS50qGlbrwR5UELOCbdyOpcnQs8ienyU2D_ObA/w640-h480/B8335D21-695B-4196-B5E2-299A37348F49_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBlfITuMUFp_yTMIfibhUns9pUoCBnBoYIi7zcrqZm7j0TW_x5DIw01yhWwyOdDNed7izYVrN5EycZUzTtJUeKsNSY58e8wW5Q71QludMtYwBlpBlTeE5g6xmWSWt4xpmJiYMtDwaMZklPQYx3S7bfjX4NtP1K1Q4QO4F8kC5Ye9PZDHujoiGaX3mqQ/s4032/38B4C2B4-699D-4AE7-BAA7-718C208122E3_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBlfITuMUFp_yTMIfibhUns9pUoCBnBoYIi7zcrqZm7j0TW_x5DIw01yhWwyOdDNed7izYVrN5EycZUzTtJUeKsNSY58e8wW5Q71QludMtYwBlpBlTeE5g6xmWSWt4xpmJiYMtDwaMZklPQYx3S7bfjX4NtP1K1Q4QO4F8kC5Ye9PZDHujoiGaX3mqQ/w640-h480/38B4C2B4-699D-4AE7-BAA7-718C208122E3_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'll bet the same lady was by the ticket kiosk selling Big Ass Ants. Now before anyone accuses me of body shaming these shapely insects, know that they are actually called hormigas culonas (aka Big Ass Ants). They have the misfortune that has befallen many a living creature before them in that humans have decided they are an aphrodisiac and thus opt to eat them. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_hyT0TOWlJxCnE3ZbDdnGjMh6RrvEdfw_MFd61IN0sfOdDf49y2w94-ZKHGZd3KQs69lbgI4maj9GAUvsCs5kf4vKW6WKud2S3p0aXIWa07dzucuxHjH-XL-4C6cnSar76M5t59xlxc9m8t4YdXIPT3EtgdkJ9VopAQ46b4damfaLE2rG_ecXByuSw/s4032/C7759B5E-AF06-4BF2-8849-0C58DF453B49_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_hyT0TOWlJxCnE3ZbDdnGjMh6RrvEdfw_MFd61IN0sfOdDf49y2w94-ZKHGZd3KQs69lbgI4maj9GAUvsCs5kf4vKW6WKud2S3p0aXIWa07dzucuxHjH-XL-4C6cnSar76M5t59xlxc9m8t4YdXIPT3EtgdkJ9VopAQ46b4damfaLE2rG_ecXByuSw/w480-h640/C7759B5E-AF06-4BF2-8849-0C58DF453B49_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RXClYM41KGm2vruFN58OZJbjX38Fpj2shBNzFQdOAo21XNg6A1-CDH6h05FPVt2Y3T5N_yE0JXkenizrqFFjiWcmeBGXjvp7MJ6kCEysRzoOKbTC3fIbkkPO0x4BwjYVRtVNu_anBG57jihvTX631RSzQI2qEAOWTqdXNROxaZy1erl-pief7jcGQg/s4032/C2FAD11F-6BAE-4C8B-B5A5-15477FE6E978_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RXClYM41KGm2vruFN58OZJbjX38Fpj2shBNzFQdOAo21XNg6A1-CDH6h05FPVt2Y3T5N_yE0JXkenizrqFFjiWcmeBGXjvp7MJ6kCEysRzoOKbTC3fIbkkPO0x4BwjYVRtVNu_anBG57jihvTX631RSzQI2qEAOWTqdXNROxaZy1erl-pief7jcGQg/w480-h640/C2FAD11F-6BAE-4C8B-B5A5-15477FE6E978_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div></div><br />But no, I did none of those things. Instead, I decided that instead of working out in my room or at the hotel gym like a normal person, it would be a good idea to hike to the top of Montserrate. That is 2,350 meters (or 7,709 feet) worth of hiking! That is 1,115 steps worth of hiking!! And here is the kicker, Bogota sits at an elevation of 8,612 feet!!! That's 3,300 feet higher than Denver aka the Mile High city. The practical ramifications of this that oxygen doesn't fucking work at that altitude. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RBZIAOyDu_xKg0nUuaMTH2o2dy9k-If4F6DEqpq1UX8AN6Kl32SJkoqIp_-s_7L8d67-lTiVbZyj-Z_0-qO0da0k49gO-QTpYsczKMpJMdqJ4XvRCPMP5EhleB8zp4u9rEi8rhGhG6KdMuVqfAK4zO_mpZ9gn3rWFyHxNozdjJfXLFg957dMNmrkXw/s4032/2D36200E-8A56-47B4-8B5C-D2D082FA7330_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RBZIAOyDu_xKg0nUuaMTH2o2dy9k-If4F6DEqpq1UX8AN6Kl32SJkoqIp_-s_7L8d67-lTiVbZyj-Z_0-qO0da0k49gO-QTpYsczKMpJMdqJ4XvRCPMP5EhleB8zp4u9rEi8rhGhG6KdMuVqfAK4zO_mpZ9gn3rWFyHxNozdjJfXLFg957dMNmrkXw/w640-h480/2D36200E-8A56-47B4-8B5C-D2D082FA7330_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHLdOok7Nv2MsiQwZ06-crMW2ZzvxvaJihAjPw2QoZvbACCo9-YLxfT3UW9-JCxPXBwVrhIMpJl9Sig4WlFcAqRO6f2CAVCeOJe0jpZyXUrdHHw3q16xoVx41xly47OwKvQH1AQmCMidXwHo8jHnah35H29uHtoeslAur1zuwzlXKYZyZDbkD92U2JA/s4032/2961CC9B-2F87-41A6-AF84-5B61D0075A84_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHLdOok7Nv2MsiQwZ06-crMW2ZzvxvaJihAjPw2QoZvbACCo9-YLxfT3UW9-JCxPXBwVrhIMpJl9Sig4WlFcAqRO6f2CAVCeOJe0jpZyXUrdHHw3q16xoVx41xly47OwKvQH1AQmCMidXwHo8jHnah35H29uHtoeslAur1zuwzlXKYZyZDbkD92U2JA/w640-h480/2961CC9B-2F87-41A6-AF84-5B61D0075A84_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Yet, none of this factored into my last minute plan to climb this beast. You have to get on the trail before 1pm so having the uber drop me off at 12:50 left no time to buy a bottle of water. I couldn't have been more unprepared for this undertaking. </div><div><br /></div><div>I simply started following the path and was quickly huffing like a 5 pack a day smoker on a runaway treadmill. I was already second guessing the wisdom of this plan when I saw the most shocking thing these eyes have seen. It was a sign welcoming me to the start of the trail. What in the ever-loving fuck was all the walking I had already done?! How was that not part of the trail. Who <i>begins</i> a trail 20 minutes in??? Those Colombian bastards. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9zj2h2_TeF9Wl4fdmseMQZv7FzkswqSMbDqJ3b80HXVxkp41eVpTqH4HigLyJz-opzG08Opq9Tbmkithjs7iNtqAFEusb5ov6nXsEbBbPrjZAfY35D7WQUtEYTdKmhqI9V7WhSDzTRJVJElfO0h0OticQULrSmns9skTzjZROAMJ5MA97vNX47NqKQ/s4032/931F0F4B-D8C8-4BB4-A768-1F3C81CE2C2E_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9zj2h2_TeF9Wl4fdmseMQZv7FzkswqSMbDqJ3b80HXVxkp41eVpTqH4HigLyJz-opzG08Opq9Tbmkithjs7iNtqAFEusb5ov6nXsEbBbPrjZAfY35D7WQUtEYTdKmhqI9V7WhSDzTRJVJElfO0h0OticQULrSmns9skTzjZROAMJ5MA97vNX47NqKQ/w640-h480/931F0F4B-D8C8-4BB4-A768-1F3C81CE2C2E_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>These signs became both my biggest source of hope and my bitter archnemeses. On one hand, they were testaments to how much ground I was covering but in between, I was always certain that someone had swiped the next sign for surely I had already covered the required distance. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnhnkI4Uau9jC4dE_eWXFleYC3PWtThVrl5tI3O09AcgwCNbxpLKm1ig98Ge-xsnNzUfnXN5Mzi3cwNthe4wOF9RHPXzVf5yppZZvF7o_5QGeLzUC0edI9bL1oFYgZYvJ1wlc0fvp2srairv-4uXSL6Z_IZsKsXemZ9oH-Z-qME-SXhFwgYVdXHxoeg/s4032/22464A65-6D1E-4ED2-B33E-3F26E33EA312_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnhnkI4Uau9jC4dE_eWXFleYC3PWtThVrl5tI3O09AcgwCNbxpLKm1ig98Ge-xsnNzUfnXN5Mzi3cwNthe4wOF9RHPXzVf5yppZZvF7o_5QGeLzUC0edI9bL1oFYgZYvJ1wlc0fvp2srairv-4uXSL6Z_IZsKsXemZ9oH-Z-qME-SXhFwgYVdXHxoeg/w640-h480/22464A65-6D1E-4ED2-B33E-3F26E33EA312_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, I eventually found some vendors and was able to buy some water. They also had snacks and beer but I was certain that if I stopped, there was no way I'd be able to keep going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbEtLdVNNMkvHeemZOCc89qQGkoO4_mc3ZQCMpo6cgWUkFXRnJVyu6YWM1ToPahBN_VUg6CZq4-ZI2ix2DbZVPz3Dw1PZgsT-o0yvTiTLPY5iYN8eTnVgDRF6K-W2CkR2CAs9YpdfT6COstebx0v87kreQRYA4gSa-jncn7cskH9mMdl5kN9DxSTMOw/s4032/IMG_1410.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbEtLdVNNMkvHeemZOCc89qQGkoO4_mc3ZQCMpo6cgWUkFXRnJVyu6YWM1ToPahBN_VUg6CZq4-ZI2ix2DbZVPz3Dw1PZgsT-o0yvTiTLPY5iYN8eTnVgDRF6K-W2CkR2CAs9YpdfT6COstebx0v87kreQRYA4gSa-jncn7cskH9mMdl5kN9DxSTMOw/w480-h640/IMG_1410.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4oh7R_PQPIwpYSfRbXGn3vXh0IOLWi43kpZpPA559mh0Va0JnF9BV7dWPwY_wgjl4iWp2LPLts_DNaw_HpYlIwPHyOBFToHmU6Db8x3Cv-QN_Yl06agrkGx2RArZZFOH5Oh0ctStXwFSyhmp4ySHBXVNx0VUoHPPYIV_0TwtGgOtanm2OA3whmv8rQ/s4032/68B3B1BA-03A2-4759-92AF-D8D26BA8F458_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4oh7R_PQPIwpYSfRbXGn3vXh0IOLWi43kpZpPA559mh0Va0JnF9BV7dWPwY_wgjl4iWp2LPLts_DNaw_HpYlIwPHyOBFToHmU6Db8x3Cv-QN_Yl06agrkGx2RArZZFOH5Oh0ctStXwFSyhmp4ySHBXVNx0VUoHPPYIV_0TwtGgOtanm2OA3whmv8rQ/w480-h640/68B3B1BA-03A2-4759-92AF-D8D26BA8F458_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was also the issue of the black menacing looking clouds rolling in. I was struggling as it was. If I had to do this in freezing rain, I would be completely hosed. I pushed on, as quickly as a person gasping like a dying fish could possibly push on. One interesting thing was that the more difficult it got, the more a sense of camaraderie developed amongst us idiots climbing this hill. There were calls of encouragement, offers of candy and a general sense of "we got this"- even when it did not look like I, in fact, had this. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then at the two hour mark, there it was!! The Montserrate sanctuary!! The same one I had seen months prior when I breezily stepped off of the cable car.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_6CMmFJd7jhLR_eXxLs7EBlLJI5NqBiojqdzISqjBFtp5KKBRif5lX3EIc1MsCYEyMU0X5yUHVD52r3z_GW_7MHB3fx5dye4YB5WpLc1VNKpiPwxUIFZMNnS4QgZaBf33h9w1JEwSWxnlm4vutM58dH2OkIV6t-i3IdRDsieKHz_QRjdKLkMoPHr3g/s4032/6B1BFF4C-16FE-45C8-B6CA-53E408BDACE0_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_6CMmFJd7jhLR_eXxLs7EBlLJI5NqBiojqdzISqjBFtp5KKBRif5lX3EIc1MsCYEyMU0X5yUHVD52r3z_GW_7MHB3fx5dye4YB5WpLc1VNKpiPwxUIFZMNnS4QgZaBf33h9w1JEwSWxnlm4vutM58dH2OkIV6t-i3IdRDsieKHz_QRjdKLkMoPHr3g/w480-h640/6B1BFF4C-16FE-45C8-B6CA-53E408BDACE0_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCytvP8Zyq-tDLMXwzZbE9d50vSSUXWeE097bc1bK_TKyfC2K7eu2XWQ9nFxSmq3vA50wNyktEZ7xn53ozVxJ6vR6xJnrn1fSvB_cY8sowfKJMOTO_5xZ4kytr4RS77oRhT6WegzWI8KjQFfBaKFiaTYH7CP3Jf6-znLf0qSLPT3kfVXkkEMfGSWsZg/s4032/D342E4AD-9313-4374-95E1-0666F08C277E_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCytvP8Zyq-tDLMXwzZbE9d50vSSUXWeE097bc1bK_TKyfC2K7eu2XWQ9nFxSmq3vA50wNyktEZ7xn53ozVxJ6vR6xJnrn1fSvB_cY8sowfKJMOTO_5xZ4kytr4RS77oRhT6WegzWI8KjQFfBaKFiaTYH7CP3Jf6-znLf0qSLPT3kfVXkkEMfGSWsZg/w480-h640/D342E4AD-9313-4374-95E1-0666F08C277E_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had made it to the top without dying and had even beat the rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFdEA0mgU4lnWo-CkU3dPYRfUCSkwd_BKz2Rh9O2YXluhz0t6wGauEJqyvnRKEco3uMCkdI4yPotCMpyruj2KCFv2N5yAM20I9J-jXC1vvlH5Y5R4ZEzpVH8VciW9X4Ww9IjpiQUzT1-a98I259B1Dh3VxUUrQh4bfad-SXgMCesWznM_3vE4pDE84A/s3088/IMG_1417.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFdEA0mgU4lnWo-CkU3dPYRfUCSkwd_BKz2Rh9O2YXluhz0t6wGauEJqyvnRKEco3uMCkdI4yPotCMpyruj2KCFv2N5yAM20I9J-jXC1vvlH5Y5R4ZEzpVH8VciW9X4Ww9IjpiQUzT1-a98I259B1Dh3VxUUrQh4bfad-SXgMCesWznM_3vE4pDE84A/w480-h640/IMG_1417.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The rain would eventually come down but by that point, I was safely ensconced in a cafe with the best cheesy bread and coldest beer of my life. Maybe it wasn't but I was just so thrilled to have conquered what at many times had felt unconquerable. Would I do it again? Hell no, I almost left a lung on that trail. But having already done it, I realized that walking up Montserrate was the exact best choice I could have made. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixk2FaJokuiRyDmXE8-FDMjG0X26IdydXAaOEb88iEKFHGcMC1HOr4WFOneV9QwHPTHNcbs4zcvoOv5XKfDSoR_-kmcn4QwLnj7E0qeSZQC0-my2X3JqkfNgyLZvFoO84JuHfRWyXOG6dqqiraKU8e9AJA6YOfmYKs7uVE4S9HdslQLvuQhiqchcKEw/s4032/IMG_1418.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixk2FaJokuiRyDmXE8-FDMjG0X26IdydXAaOEb88iEKFHGcMC1HOr4WFOneV9QwHPTHNcbs4zcvoOv5XKfDSoR_-kmcn4QwLnj7E0qeSZQC0-my2X3JqkfNgyLZvFoO84JuHfRWyXOG6dqqiraKU8e9AJA6YOfmYKs7uVE4S9HdslQLvuQhiqchcKEw/w480-h640/IMG_1418.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLPeiiTNlw9d5ZGy4rkGwzHtkkJL7URl7R_UQmhi8q8_Lk7tJ6TOuTCYhk42Z_DQ20lERjtAljVgpKQCDk-ps8l8rVJdb5HDH-ZHWYXd8HO8DAmNAAs9m9pw4grZsqKQesFgJXY2tlzT2lXi1RjumGtWDna5GOYbC0BgfAEI4zEfz4vU3XOFnTQCfMA/s4032/IMG_1419.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLPeiiTNlw9d5ZGy4rkGwzHtkkJL7URl7R_UQmhi8q8_Lk7tJ6TOuTCYhk42Z_DQ20lERjtAljVgpKQCDk-ps8l8rVJdb5HDH-ZHWYXd8HO8DAmNAAs9m9pw4grZsqKQesFgJXY2tlzT2lXi1RjumGtWDna5GOYbC0BgfAEI4zEfz4vU3XOFnTQCfMA/w480-h640/IMG_1419.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsKU6ku2tthV4gls6nrNgOvcYIKFplYWBiUACGOFIcDAwXWEUldBLay6snoxP3p4m5UkFCj9btGe1HmhKJvYbD1H_T3O1PODJHibWb2JZ8l3HrNGt9hSKTTzUxMEUslebTWbaRxO8GjY_y7qQ9xK-2r3yDKOfz6zHJThgFQTE9M2nHsfUS1T60C5_Sw/s4032/77E6B539-2FD3-427C-8528-D4E6319B374D_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsKU6ku2tthV4gls6nrNgOvcYIKFplYWBiUACGOFIcDAwXWEUldBLay6snoxP3p4m5UkFCj9btGe1HmhKJvYbD1H_T3O1PODJHibWb2JZ8l3HrNGt9hSKTTzUxMEUslebTWbaRxO8GjY_y7qQ9xK-2r3yDKOfz6zHJThgFQTE9M2nHsfUS1T60C5_Sw/w480-h640/77E6B539-2FD3-427C-8528-D4E6319B374D_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-6490003499173865492022-12-14T18:47:00.599-05:002023-04-15T10:43:07.173-05:00Virgin Voyages: Cruising Made Cool<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYxdkb9z8wIvdZSUDucyHppPN3729P1yNVP7m_34YMicuQPrwNxXMN_AwaXyFgY6deg4aiYfE_gAyVncUbWwlTlsUJULoUN6ITzQMXTKq8kSsHz0oJqmXwS6mvtqE5Kjow3BYsMJ25FWfJ3a2NJNSDsyuuUYBAw5vhOXF_80jQAypIDjweEVHW8QrBw/s4032/IMG_0594.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYxdkb9z8wIvdZSUDucyHppPN3729P1yNVP7m_34YMicuQPrwNxXMN_AwaXyFgY6deg4aiYfE_gAyVncUbWwlTlsUJULoUN6ITzQMXTKq8kSsHz0oJqmXwS6mvtqE5Kjow3BYsMJ25FWfJ3a2NJNSDsyuuUYBAw5vhOXF_80jQAypIDjweEVHW8QrBw/w640-h480/IMG_0594.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>I am not a cruise person. I don't like the bland buffets, the unnecessary dress codes, being forced to eat on a set schedule- often in the company of strangers, the banal shows passed off as entertainment and being incommunicado because they treat wifi as a luxury item and not the everyday necessity that it actually is. I particularly don't like the hit and run nature of shore visits. You get, at best, a few hours to experience a new place where they try to railroad you into signing up for an over-priced excursion under the threat of being left behind if you are a minute late. Also, this is not specific to cruises but I'm not all that crazy about children. My niece and nephew are amazing human beings. My friends have some wonderful, bright, curious children whom I enjoy immensely. But let's be honest, lots of children are just plain assholes. There is something about cruises that encourages parents to let their little assholes run feral. <div><br /></div><div>So, why is it that I simply can not wait until the next time I board one of these floating hellscapes? The answer is simple: Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson's latest foray into making travel actually fun. This is a cruise line that is doing everything right. I recently returned from a 5 day foray with my sister, mother and her friend and seriously, no notes. It was perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>For starters, the Valiant Lady is one sexy ship. I happen to have a view of the Port of Miami from my apt. Since her arrival, I have been intrigued by this newcomer, glowing all red at night as she sets out to sea. Even so, when my sister suggested we do a Virgin family cruise I was hesitant. It's still a cruise ship after all. She countered with glowing reviews from trusted sources. She dangled promises of drink packages. Had I heard that it is an 18 and over ship, no children allowed?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNlEBH9t4kY9it5b8PKd-MfSsMjFMU_QUYYnueoqZ1-YfA36DdbDfqplbeu-tTxRUQ05KXi8lU-qnGw9d3Q01t4LXLtqgQgAYpUW7dKJVqJ-V1qWMfo_bBdb5fdQ2P-kKvf888vh2Nudn_BLg8qpACJKOddtCtHQkbGh-0o2RhoLMA_OJMAVTGWbnZQ/s4032/B428B88D-AD01-454B-AEB4-982715B56064.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNlEBH9t4kY9it5b8PKd-MfSsMjFMU_QUYYnueoqZ1-YfA36DdbDfqplbeu-tTxRUQ05KXi8lU-qnGw9d3Q01t4LXLtqgQgAYpUW7dKJVqJ-V1qWMfo_bBdb5fdQ2P-kKvf888vh2Nudn_BLg8qpACJKOddtCtHQkbGh-0o2RhoLMA_OJMAVTGWbnZQ/w640-h480/B428B88D-AD01-454B-AEB4-982715B56064.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sister, a top attorney in her field, definitely knows how to craft an argument. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the day of departure, we travelled the couple of blocks from my apartment to the port and got our first taste of what was to come. Our mother is 87 years old and has limited mobility. The check-in staff assessed the situation, cheerfully wheeled her to the front of the line and had us in our cabins in less than an hour's time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvDZ8SR3vQsf7OkoRxDGaZMEXApWV6uHSopNaa_dzrnhYgLe5PeHuTy1lvidnl2PizwqCjbhx4gbLCYaPcr8XTo5J2LT7GQtxGPbr544vRUq0d9cAwtZU0fdHoJV5BdY6Lp_nGO6TVgeR7HCpJLuDFFq468zIPwa0QYl-v7jqr3WLeAyiQnmZ40OI7Q/s4032/BC90B8A4-EB1C-4C06-BF75-C92E92022848.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvDZ8SR3vQsf7OkoRxDGaZMEXApWV6uHSopNaa_dzrnhYgLe5PeHuTy1lvidnl2PizwqCjbhx4gbLCYaPcr8XTo5J2LT7GQtxGPbr544vRUq0d9cAwtZU0fdHoJV5BdY6Lp_nGO6TVgeR7HCpJLuDFFq468zIPwa0QYl-v7jqr3WLeAyiQnmZ40OI7Q/w480-h640/BC90B8A4-EB1C-4C06-BF75-C92E92022848.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were initially concerned that the mobility issue would be a problem for her on board, but a mobilized scooter rental and whatever the scooter equivalent of a lead foot would be, revealed that our mother would be fine. It was every other guest of the Scarlet Lady who was in now in real danger of being jettisoned into the Caribbean Sea. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UpFtisk33iE" width="320" youtube-src-id="UpFtisk33iE"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The first full day was a sea day, giving us plenty of time to get familiar with our new home. My first impression was that there truly was something for everyone. If you want to get your party on, you can hang out by the pool, where club deejays will have everyone up dancing and living their best lives before lunchtime. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15rqNK7kuec2uhEkZUgveJUKI-O-6whh5wkt0kMfDlfNZLa5a647-2jzgWhL1D9Qa9766AH7mHGsIAGD-ZU8PgBYeB9fh75Zlf0FgNcZwjhdXlg-8-vRV7RgK6iBQOkYsRdZXMKCvhlZUcDTq0zZwtB6KCPP7m8pD0DllqTAuc_dUHOlaQgR6QWnm5A/s4032/IMG_0599.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15rqNK7kuec2uhEkZUgveJUKI-O-6whh5wkt0kMfDlfNZLa5a647-2jzgWhL1D9Qa9766AH7mHGsIAGD-ZU8PgBYeB9fh75Zlf0FgNcZwjhdXlg-8-vRV7RgK6iBQOkYsRdZXMKCvhlZUcDTq0zZwtB6KCPP7m8pD0DllqTAuc_dUHOlaQgR6QWnm5A/w480-h640/IMG_0599.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQipW7u90Wl7vhQLqf4J9TAFAcGHqrsjcVzSnNBn9Bd5D1Vszege5VybUDJAfj9BJBTCNNTcIVqdSRmhtZ6vp2l3wt2kxqq0T7YaZt8PevnQrDADblMOCPBxIAYIYp5TImEgLhTtDpbCYHG48fw6F73rd41wuoDxS_glvCWwvky7BF0Nu2G7QBRI65g/s4032/IMG_0674.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQipW7u90Wl7vhQLqf4J9TAFAcGHqrsjcVzSnNBn9Bd5D1Vszege5VybUDJAfj9BJBTCNNTcIVqdSRmhtZ6vp2l3wt2kxqq0T7YaZt8PevnQrDADblMOCPBxIAYIYp5TImEgLhTtDpbCYHG48fw6F73rd41wuoDxS_glvCWwvky7BF0Nu2G7QBRI65g/w480-h640/IMG_0674.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you are here for the 'gram, you are in luck. So many spaces on this ship are obviously curated with photographic aesthetics in mind.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHzLfFf5WdZHP6iwih-CgtfGT0rlzFai5_69eAYvOt8_2hkDEwdTqI7WRskDJEUdOeFy_z2FSoTTFlZWH9l17XtAQkKMwU95h2nR4O6i6kFrwiKtWYnEZa-tVMKdousfBmVWoOdOKWEuPWOf938PC0pWSBlDvm6FvcEspPaah4N1EHyD5qPCD_6i2Zw/s4032/IMG_0604.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHzLfFf5WdZHP6iwih-CgtfGT0rlzFai5_69eAYvOt8_2hkDEwdTqI7WRskDJEUdOeFy_z2FSoTTFlZWH9l17XtAQkKMwU95h2nR4O6i6kFrwiKtWYnEZa-tVMKdousfBmVWoOdOKWEuPWOf938PC0pWSBlDvm6FvcEspPaah4N1EHyD5qPCD_6i2Zw/w640-h480/IMG_0604.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLGuOtnGXchXokoEbnmywkrPyX-lSF3EFTYt8tsZlVdve8cKl6JBhxGHlgnLIRCxbLzRVmNaf9RLKLUV__PSYWhqKn028qE0PYWfmlKoZS-ktIi6zh84KJxnRgoVpzbHKZqYV3m-v0aPG4a_B-orBuF2HUSXpotLYlpurEyEi_tD1yBdnhMSDWuriow/s4032/IMG_0662.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLGuOtnGXchXokoEbnmywkrPyX-lSF3EFTYt8tsZlVdve8cKl6JBhxGHlgnLIRCxbLzRVmNaf9RLKLUV__PSYWhqKn028qE0PYWfmlKoZS-ktIi6zh84KJxnRgoVpzbHKZqYV3m-v0aPG4a_B-orBuF2HUSXpotLYlpurEyEi_tD1yBdnhMSDWuriow/w640-h480/IMG_0662.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>You want to just chill and read a book or spend quiet time with your travel mate, they've got you covered. There are so many idyllic quiet spaces spread throughout the ship, that you are never far from finding that perfect nook.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkkSbqq_faTezfZ1DKLHxsxpYNfgpDYQHEkDrQBJ9D3mvGQjBzM5brqgHDmMmzeiZMYk5TPFNeC72x_AuMszQGrwoUBbMbRIIZMEEJnfym7_lNYRK7zW_65FsI6hUEY63yGpT-Kx-ak3_k6TPbnNQGGIYwT3U8DC-JPdaM28vZEChr1uIVXwEJ_pZeA/s4032/69237665762__58D852A1-E62F-48E4-8BB6-27F858FBBD6E.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkkSbqq_faTezfZ1DKLHxsxpYNfgpDYQHEkDrQBJ9D3mvGQjBzM5brqgHDmMmzeiZMYk5TPFNeC72x_AuMszQGrwoUBbMbRIIZMEEJnfym7_lNYRK7zW_65FsI6hUEY63yGpT-Kx-ak3_k6TPbnNQGGIYwT3U8DC-JPdaM28vZEChr1uIVXwEJ_pZeA/w480-h640/69237665762__58D852A1-E62F-48E4-8BB6-27F858FBBD6E.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Need to burn off some calories- and you will, the food is incredible, more on that later- they have a killer gym and a pretty sweet looking running track. Not only that, fitness classes are included with the price of admission. During our stay, I took two dance classes and a 90's inspired aerobics class, complete with shake weights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE7KvbjVXOIJJJOWPEAR8DzVddpAXE5WqzCDUKypiiEjpT-EG7t53eG7yax3Yu1QgrQKX1WOuj6gLqzkHZPy2Ej7fl_MJfqUbPUcUNx8xPBmooaGqXFs-raT8ucsB1cyp4Y8iW1GP8iXZ5e8Gi1uTmjQhei3rozFIOYY2EBxhO1JCTPiS37_3F9eyYg/s4032/IMG_0610.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEE7KvbjVXOIJJJOWPEAR8DzVddpAXE5WqzCDUKypiiEjpT-EG7t53eG7yax3Yu1QgrQKX1WOuj6gLqzkHZPy2Ej7fl_MJfqUbPUcUNx8xPBmooaGqXFs-raT8ucsB1cyp4Y8iW1GP8iXZ5e8Gi1uTmjQhei3rozFIOYY2EBxhO1JCTPiS37_3F9eyYg/w480-h640/IMG_0610.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a setting like this, it would be easy to just laze (or dance) the day away but there is also a daily roster of activities going on. Before you get onboard, you download an app and since the ship has free wi-fi at all times, you use this app to check out the day's agenda, make restaurant reservations, contact ship support with questions or even order room service. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Was I checking it constantly and booking everything in sight? Of course I was but how else was I going to RSVP for the first evening's pajama party? I don't have any pics but that's probably for the best. I thought a cute flirty nightie would be a good look, not realizing that it was December and people really love them some Xmas pj's. Most of the party looked like they just put out a plate of cookies for Santa while I was halfway to Hef's grotto. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The app also allows you to book shore excursions, minus the constant pressure and dire warnings I've experienced on other ships. Our first stop was Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. By random chance, I had just spent 4 days there and knew that there is very little to do here. Had we been somewhere more exciting, the stop would have been much too short but as it was, we had more than enough time. My sister and I had some drinks at a portside bar, I strolled through the town and my mother and her wheels of doom terrorized locals and ship staff alike. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hUL1ou_q1TWuk6GMdamWtjBU9c2_gUHsbOTwtJwyizwApiVEh-VteYXP4FaqSyRBdDcxD_xqmn1sAXW-d19jUoMS57rftZyMkMIuf8XYqOQSEi-2cMTfkway-KrrotPN6cWoo2T7X72hm6S7rcVnYPYxY_npylNDDCkHp0fR3x6CjxVoJXHUE4GR-A/s8878/IMG_0648.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3790" data-original-width="8878" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hUL1ou_q1TWuk6GMdamWtjBU9c2_gUHsbOTwtJwyizwApiVEh-VteYXP4FaqSyRBdDcxD_xqmn1sAXW-d19jUoMS57rftZyMkMIuf8XYqOQSEi-2cMTfkway-KrrotPN6cWoo2T7X72hm6S7rcVnYPYxY_npylNDDCkHp0fR3x6CjxVoJXHUE4GR-A/w640-h274/IMG_0648.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh469uenJIO_-32NqtZNZ2WHABxPwBq9UBBwgp3MVxqSjw9zkaeK0snFkrwR5c7SfC9ZIxpX0PF6v5XFkdNhvwx0kEU39lkpNf9gkew31yzZuiSNoD0E8yQ13hgO1J4qRDd9OEIak8hK2998Ox444qyslXCIwxe2CPSSdmZsuBH0HN7tmAthn8ILgvF-A/s4032/IMG_0178.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh469uenJIO_-32NqtZNZ2WHABxPwBq9UBBwgp3MVxqSjw9zkaeK0snFkrwR5c7SfC9ZIxpX0PF6v5XFkdNhvwx0kEU39lkpNf9gkew31yzZuiSNoD0E8yQ13hgO1J4qRDd9OEIak8hK2998Ox444qyslXCIwxe2CPSSdmZsuBH0HN7tmAthn8ILgvF-A/w480-h640/IMG_0178.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJA0dKXr27G6liyA7hGbq5N6X-0N3A8KQqsp1hkFfCG2e4X8h0-zReSCnvtiU0hdyn_Vs1JqcWL05lnJZtLvwiDLX4k3mknvg5TPUVBysd79biV3d_bHYORfuSY-SNiEGfNccCWykjtih3XvI4QG6e_JXZMaxTGRjmHQ_26rjemBSi6c___bY1TGdiA/s4032/IMG_0170.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJA0dKXr27G6liyA7hGbq5N6X-0N3A8KQqsp1hkFfCG2e4X8h0-zReSCnvtiU0hdyn_Vs1JqcWL05lnJZtLvwiDLX4k3mknvg5TPUVBysd79biV3d_bHYORfuSY-SNiEGfNccCWykjtih3XvI4QG6e_JXZMaxTGRjmHQ_26rjemBSi6c___bY1TGdiA/w480-h640/IMG_0170.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU5a6ohNEJnrMYKM5jjZJJuPgpvQfV3-OC9B63xiBmC1j_k6M2wHCqZF12cgbO95GK3cBaxI9P144z2WAZyxvoIOBwDb9JO6NHIj8YYmn-hoZ-ZtBRBz8ZXAAtVPkWtj36dBWuDXXNN9sqFEBjiFSA3n5zZEZcYBJGQdhkBzYHJnQ0VQkdw50Olm4MA/s4032/IMG_0171.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU5a6ohNEJnrMYKM5jjZJJuPgpvQfV3-OC9B63xiBmC1j_k6M2wHCqZF12cgbO95GK3cBaxI9P144z2WAZyxvoIOBwDb9JO6NHIj8YYmn-hoZ-ZtBRBz8ZXAAtVPkWtj36dBWuDXXNN9sqFEBjiFSA3n5zZEZcYBJGQdhkBzYHJnQ0VQkdw50Olm4MA/w480-h640/IMG_0171.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was more than happy to return to the ship, partly because I was hungry. That meant my first stop was the sports bar for what may have been my 3rd vegetarian hot dog. The 1st one was shortly after boarding the ship, while watching the World Cup. From that moment on, I was hooked. It was, no joke, the best veggie dog I've ever had. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6HERWfBy6DJCakea9VpyI0LZHlEYCKVeVqRrAXFrfxIRjHJ2hIyTyq8zBRXleh5B33y-3oEAhMyKMr5rWWuckWUw_duSLIPjFWaaqdrXOa6k6hymJg6QEDCrjGrkAP5TL25aRbfVKPrN-rZT-ULjv0hOcRibL3dmPe-KRM8u9rDn-ZDDF4VzzVYYDg/s4032/IMG_0676.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6HERWfBy6DJCakea9VpyI0LZHlEYCKVeVqRrAXFrfxIRjHJ2hIyTyq8zBRXleh5B33y-3oEAhMyKMr5rWWuckWUw_duSLIPjFWaaqdrXOa6k6hymJg6QEDCrjGrkAP5TL25aRbfVKPrN-rZT-ULjv0hOcRibL3dmPe-KRM8u9rDn-ZDDF4VzzVYYDg/w640-h480/IMG_0676.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't just the veggie dog, though. Every single thing I had during those 5 days was so ridiculously good. Instead of a 'stuff your face at the buffet because it's there' type-situation, the ship has a bunch of specialty restaurants with proper menus, all with plenty of vegetarian options. You just make a reservation via the app for whatever time you want. For something more casual, there is a proper food hall with about a dozen "vendors" to choose from. If say, you left the club at 2 in the morning and wanted a late bite, the made to order pizza place was still open and you could grab a pie with the hopes that your sister was still awake and would want to split it with you only to find that she was dead asleep and now you ate an entire pizza before going to sleep. Hypothetically speaking, of course. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhglZONvAjUQv_VsyFiB-z7Br_bqe83vHtcUNbHudJ8cjEX0aQEqt2e8LnT2aoMZIOvkSRPVuDVa8C-96yWUr7HayH5uPBgcrcMwR7uiEwkT1MZIr43igVZ4M7uQYuVl9F3e-9vTzZ8N57AVZx6y0V2umzHNpotHC8ZE_6PV4ksc-1qic1Dy-zhFLYw/s4032/IMG_0598.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhglZONvAjUQv_VsyFiB-z7Br_bqe83vHtcUNbHudJ8cjEX0aQEqt2e8LnT2aoMZIOvkSRPVuDVa8C-96yWUr7HayH5uPBgcrcMwR7uiEwkT1MZIr43igVZ4M7uQYuVl9F3e-9vTzZ8N57AVZx6y0V2umzHNpotHC8ZE_6PV4ksc-1qic1Dy-zhFLYw/w640-h480/IMG_0598.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglysn90iUFAmyiMdlxy5Jkn5T8PhII6BiFuDaS4E-hN3nfc_u3MtU54y2Vl9jvTcIOAe9A2WjMZtnBn5jiBa_aKDlBZXI4vYZqjT3yHSrqwSNnTd7tx9cwRhl6wLIv0Y80-2m8nGdXFZwgpqkoZfKEOABEivwj_qoFT_W2XaG6uUzT8UIfPyTdCJjrDg/s4032/IMG_0726.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglysn90iUFAmyiMdlxy5Jkn5T8PhII6BiFuDaS4E-hN3nfc_u3MtU54y2Vl9jvTcIOAe9A2WjMZtnBn5jiBa_aKDlBZXI4vYZqjT3yHSrqwSNnTd7tx9cwRhl6wLIv0Y80-2m8nGdXFZwgpqkoZfKEOABEivwj_qoFT_W2XaG6uUzT8UIfPyTdCJjrDg/w480-h640/IMG_0726.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZVFlZRtn1ADKR3bY7abMNcikvsU_EIUVR0f4lOxp3pSyE32Yv3QqjxktF9HimD70PHRxJpaLz-6zcV1YJRiH4_wz7g_gr8WfEkqRdsoHR-ZNBGz5rVJ0BZ84MQuWRQ_SRttkgYMiZsRtGSu4NGU5l3E7Jnumjk7XgQuiUZmvAJx2Ml4nLtYBtv5uew/s4032/IMG_0743.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZVFlZRtn1ADKR3bY7abMNcikvsU_EIUVR0f4lOxp3pSyE32Yv3QqjxktF9HimD70PHRxJpaLz-6zcV1YJRiH4_wz7g_gr8WfEkqRdsoHR-ZNBGz5rVJ0BZ84MQuWRQ_SRttkgYMiZsRtGSu4NGU5l3E7Jnumjk7XgQuiUZmvAJx2Ml4nLtYBtv5uew/w480-h640/IMG_0743.HEIC" width="480" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of nightlife, evening #3 came with a fair amount of hype. That is when we would celebrate Scarlet Night, the ship's signature party. All I knew was that we were supposed to wear red. I figured the club would be similarly decked out for the occasion and that would be that. Why 72 hours in, I was underestimating the Virgin experience simply betrays a lack of imagination on my part. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNY6-7xHabyYce6PbsGP-l9DF-wBOA4uBPM5_uDP3pFnB-YqBAeEJyvYb2FUMbPAfq-SSU8OrBLpaAM4V5Llx3YtRem5pLjdP0nhbkghOYvLyku_wLQDXDFPDJeRRQj3B40MlXl6nTfeJ_B_15NW8J2IWg5uOr-eb7xn3bPDTm4MLotu9gov6IFY6hA/s4032/IMG_0694.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNY6-7xHabyYce6PbsGP-l9DF-wBOA4uBPM5_uDP3pFnB-YqBAeEJyvYb2FUMbPAfq-SSU8OrBLpaAM4V5Llx3YtRem5pLjdP0nhbkghOYvLyku_wLQDXDFPDJeRRQj3B40MlXl6nTfeJ_B_15NW8J2IWg5uOr-eb7xn3bPDTm4MLotu9gov6IFY6hA/w480-h640/IMG_0694.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcB9o7jqTBcxGydZ0OnkknJA3OHdj-6KKHqpm2wK2h6pNmGqikC7aZKkSeMXpkRdPauBu5Si91qyN8p6-JW8u-MVfBiF4gDTMjhgwYoUvJvkmQ890dsy-arG7Viayq-wWpZTl7Ys6xxFcifLiQVw4RmXiT8AjHbzbUUzMKFNn2n7wQsKXVGdNIttvrQ/s3088/IMG_0686.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcB9o7jqTBcxGydZ0OnkknJA3OHdj-6KKHqpm2wK2h6pNmGqikC7aZKkSeMXpkRdPauBu5Si91qyN8p6-JW8u-MVfBiF4gDTMjhgwYoUvJvkmQ890dsy-arG7Viayq-wWpZTl7Ys6xxFcifLiQVw4RmXiT8AjHbzbUUzMKFNn2n7wQsKXVGdNIttvrQ/w480-h640/IMG_0686.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_ioumZRbs0ZzfY8GCh4Ru1w08cqVNedtMyqEcnEM779c4rG-CNwQGHRcxqsoOgjj3_g0HvdXozINB3p5f92ToOD0eOMbvL2haZ6HpHV_Eyqb-uMw2dkURbIHbOq5SpU3t1Wd4XrbmHHImLpkMd0TuFSy5UvjoJVFr7_pcUA9iNcBpy5ZdbfaeSTNGw/s900/1670901469222.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_ioumZRbs0ZzfY8GCh4Ru1w08cqVNedtMyqEcnEM779c4rG-CNwQGHRcxqsoOgjj3_g0HvdXozINB3p5f92ToOD0eOMbvL2haZ6HpHV_Eyqb-uMw2dkURbIHbOq5SpU3t1Wd4XrbmHHImLpkMd0TuFSy5UvjoJVFr7_pcUA9iNcBpy5ZdbfaeSTNGw/w426-h640/1670901469222.heic" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The entire ship had turned into a massive party, with mystical inflatable marine creatures on every level and surprise activations from the ship's entertainers popping up everywhere you looked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BC_Sc5vutw0" width="320" youtube-src-id="BC_Sc5vutw0"></iframe></div>Somewhere around 10pm, all the guests were invited to come up to the pool deck. Not surprisingly, there were more inflatables. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhWfW4BPRp4aAD7qknQ--QkZli669R_Qf10WxaWsbZdRyCI87HU1a-a6ayWdo9ZXUbGoHUhKpUUyJaGssebTqFk1dWPczOdcqTHhbF2ua9fI2YHY8mFj3aL9CCXyVVGgVeyx2lOQlnr0nzlgCO5Yhs--xxxNmWwEN5pZwFPdY0Eux1MV1GIwETQvaZA/s4032/IMG_0700.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhWfW4BPRp4aAD7qknQ--QkZli669R_Qf10WxaWsbZdRyCI87HU1a-a6ayWdo9ZXUbGoHUhKpUUyJaGssebTqFk1dWPczOdcqTHhbF2ua9fI2YHY8mFj3aL9CCXyVVGgVeyx2lOQlnr0nzlgCO5Yhs--xxxNmWwEN5pZwFPdY0Eux1MV1GIwETQvaZA/w640-h480/IMG_0700.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I did not expect was that there was going to be a full-on dance performance, first around the pool and then ultimately <i>in</i> the pool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DczfQ8DepBM" width="320" youtube-src-id="DczfQ8DepBM"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Even less expected was that the moment the performances were over, us, the guests would take over dancing around the pool and, yes, very much <i>in </i>the pool. I had been watching all of this from the upper level but the moment that the pool takeover began, I sprinted down to the pool level and proceeded to genuinely dance like no one was watching. It was magical. It was cathartic. It was exactly the release I needed after a month-long brutal work schedule. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am perfectly aware that Scarlet night and it's pool dance party take place on every single sailing, yet somehow it felt very organic, like we had all spontaneously decided to take over the pool. I know how crazy that sounds but at the risk of invoking the cliche police, you had to be there. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4tolRfPQPk" width="320" youtube-src-id="F4tolRfPQPk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was worth staying up late even if I had booked an early morning dive for the next day. We were docked in Bimini, home of excellent dive opportunities. Sadly, if there was one miss in the whole of this cruise, it would be this. The problem was that they combined divers and snorkelers on the same boat. As a result, we went to very shallow sites, where us divers had to constantly be wary of the many kicking snorkelers immediately above us. These were not dive sites, they were snorkeling sites, where we happened to have scuba tanks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRrWihRoXZA38ID9ywFJpRtf9lN4vngqlvPdKJMev8WzoTmNxQYhQTJHwMAhUkV-U4Rm7zqc5gfl1HOyOwGaxi7HW-nha-6jVG6pf0RgLWA-ui7NGw0s8UQPR7eGg8L2xgw9YXF7OKJdE9BIaWkEznPtdXSagBJQnHqXbMleDkuZojlLF-pi9D9Y7Xw/s2514/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="2514" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRrWihRoXZA38ID9ywFJpRtf9lN4vngqlvPdKJMev8WzoTmNxQYhQTJHwMAhUkV-U4Rm7zqc5gfl1HOyOwGaxi7HW-nha-6jVG6pf0RgLWA-ui7NGw0s8UQPR7eGg8L2xgw9YXF7OKJdE9BIaWkEznPtdXSagBJQnHqXbMleDkuZojlLF-pi9D9Y7Xw/w640-h448/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4ym0UVlTL23nbWXmgDs9Lv2tWd4fngoQ1pJZf4ELFlFUriAhNF6QN6LRvmLLg1mj6XLkBOX8oUnI6zf9xe2AISrHjlm90_1FteYfd28V2nguMLZ3MQ0S_RgdpHMp_D4iwmNpwr5OmGcdkiR6RDwrsdQ_swkDmSagtOsHHkuPbTAVg8E7gMbvPTAjxg/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4ym0UVlTL23nbWXmgDs9Lv2tWd4fngoQ1pJZf4ELFlFUriAhNF6QN6LRvmLLg1mj6XLkBOX8oUnI6zf9xe2AISrHjlm90_1FteYfd28V2nguMLZ3MQ0S_RgdpHMp_D4iwmNpwr5OmGcdkiR6RDwrsdQ_swkDmSagtOsHHkuPbTAVg8E7gMbvPTAjxg/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYzruVP_DFUwB4f6on_oERKmhhqC0_nKLqdDUSQWK0GaQR0thGaUAfoPVkn6CNQ6zdg6fS3Gkbh4Y21B6j6hkQZ3gXZYVaR9tjgBE2M3IK0eTQsmh5gEjvlJARbpG5cJGJnWWfJBnCNyDyICPbXiIVOz6pnvlf-8H5t6uMiDc8IQeXXkXbsdAm4ZFw/s4000/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYzruVP_DFUwB4f6on_oERKmhhqC0_nKLqdDUSQWK0GaQR0thGaUAfoPVkn6CNQ6zdg6fS3Gkbh4Y21B6j6hkQZ3gXZYVaR9tjgBE2M3IK0eTQsmh5gEjvlJARbpG5cJGJnWWfJBnCNyDyICPbXiIVOz6pnvlf-8H5t6uMiDc8IQeXXkXbsdAm4ZFw/w640-h480/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_iSDn1ckNWHUSimhMzlfXyt_RTJf5LE5uQF57gRYRM3mQpDIoJfr47ajh5dMdEgmkWfn1OzjM_1ujGIC_PbCdOYz4jx-zNecoTShcS7GXAAFiQd6oN5J7SB1clTlCmHpN1fdDN317ZbggA5LmpA5OGVwpc2KaBBIHDZXhyH_nRO_V4vDo9cWe1ureg/s2312/GPTempDownload.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2312" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_iSDn1ckNWHUSimhMzlfXyt_RTJf5LE5uQF57gRYRM3mQpDIoJfr47ajh5dMdEgmkWfn1OzjM_1ujGIC_PbCdOYz4jx-zNecoTShcS7GXAAFiQd6oN5J7SB1clTlCmHpN1fdDN317ZbggA5LmpA5OGVwpc2KaBBIHDZXhyH_nRO_V4vDo9cWe1ureg/w640-h546/GPTempDownload.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only memorable moment came during the second dive, at a site frequented by Caribbean reef sharks. After the snorkelers get back on the boat, the sharks are rewarded for their participation with buckets of fish. The sharks are familiar with the program so as soon as the snorkelers got out of the water, they started getting excited. We were still in the water and had the chance to hang out with them a bit longer as they began to gather behind the boat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YXRb0ICvlGs" width="320" youtube-src-id="YXRb0ICvlGs"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WK3OIf47bsw" width="320" youtube-src-id="WK3OIf47bsw"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Once the diving was over, I joined my sister at the ship's private beach club. Once again, it was a short-ish stop, but with a limited amount of things to do, it was kind of perfect. In this case, pretty much the entire ship was just lounging at the beach club. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnOEBDkck6zPq-tkuQJG3WTw-LClj3vPlaUMD_IyinP7sWQllqGHMJkFDH7GpkXjtG8pR8V_clqko0AResjIRUmYW9Id6i3FUJhIRdx1B1aNtfUj09-QkxhViuh6pICSFV5lqs3yp8pgXQtYLgqQJrp64vKdOlkJjAMBkLDFsJdxtCEdSfQOgOvnXTg/s3088/IMG_0717.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnOEBDkck6zPq-tkuQJG3WTw-LClj3vPlaUMD_IyinP7sWQllqGHMJkFDH7GpkXjtG8pR8V_clqko0AResjIRUmYW9Id6i3FUJhIRdx1B1aNtfUj09-QkxhViuh6pICSFV5lqs3yp8pgXQtYLgqQJrp64vKdOlkJjAMBkLDFsJdxtCEdSfQOgOvnXTg/w480-h640/IMG_0717.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VKwVBd7Dwk_WP2Jp2yCIx8Oq9GyM_9eQ_thhyXriDiQhmq-FTWJgbVAAnD72r3N7zPHkcvnNF6D6mEvLM8_NkSMQxwtznhUB1frZY5yMbjSKaOfr71BOHRPPZ-eEqBpL-41Zy-Fs3zgASmzHI5fXuj8-p8iscS8w9E36Esiqnd465uixUvWX6yyGUw/s4032/IMG_0714.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VKwVBd7Dwk_WP2Jp2yCIx8Oq9GyM_9eQ_thhyXriDiQhmq-FTWJgbVAAnD72r3N7zPHkcvnNF6D6mEvLM8_NkSMQxwtznhUB1frZY5yMbjSKaOfr71BOHRPPZ-eEqBpL-41Zy-Fs3zgASmzHI5fXuj8-p8iscS8w9E36Esiqnd465uixUvWX6yyGUw/w480-h640/IMG_0714.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzvnOi400LnHqoDDIFUTvYykLbKMaFImcZme8QEGyKpzIFINCm55cql3UTmgdQlGuEkqZcLuK8TAxoNayqC9KZ2eCBfey_wEvdeehGDP-2tqdlhyYCWQ2OnGNe5SYiWP9cMHGfyaKGobnYmtZNobU6Q8JkU_mmvotI881LoIznxSTHY2oLIgJaegMPQ/s4032/IMG_4089.HEIC"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzvnOi400LnHqoDDIFUTvYykLbKMaFImcZme8QEGyKpzIFINCm55cql3UTmgdQlGuEkqZcLuK8TAxoNayqC9KZ2eCBfey_wEvdeehGDP-2tqdlhyYCWQ2OnGNe5SYiWP9cMHGfyaKGobnYmtZNobU6Q8JkU_mmvotI881LoIznxSTHY2oLIgJaegMPQ/w480-h640/IMG_4089.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last evening had come way too quickly. In the span of a couple of days, I had gone from avowed non-cruiser to absolutely loving it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning, thanks to their late check-out policy, I lingered as long as I could, looking at my apartment in the distance. Thoughts of stowing away for the next sailing danced in my head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xKDaocnPDzc" width="320" youtube-src-id="xKDaocnPDzc"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHIaN5I1SDfGyERSgB1k_fsfIU5GGlL2ruI46HKuaTTp6CYfJCECr6CseKn5Dq28-AZ9npEa3250dCstWa5Q9egsLhTKTdIxWqUrUgjL-77TZoVf9aWyJW9teQAsfKrET_Su803LWpNvIeslVjz5HYoaGwNmWa8lwV2NV-WRP_DGLoM5Yo74bDBYrtQ/s4032/IMG_0724.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHIaN5I1SDfGyERSgB1k_fsfIU5GGlL2ruI46HKuaTTp6CYfJCECr6CseKn5Dq28-AZ9npEa3250dCstWa5Q9egsLhTKTdIxWqUrUgjL-77TZoVf9aWyJW9teQAsfKrET_Su803LWpNvIeslVjz5HYoaGwNmWa8lwV2NV-WRP_DGLoM5Yo74bDBYrtQ/w480-h640/IMG_0724.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxB31ORHFwUFrxunFgx-ZiISTFFq_MJxg9ysRrtf0aU41a_qqbsNAeqOoPw67MJtpsg10PRk4JFsrKMwWdAyu9q3WFPNfks9W4hMigZBAzUYSRcA0FsgrcspvyNVTraigxmyjxm2lJ-pna4mRnalgFTKhOfvTzN3LEYFcaDUPuWhNhTF7WrNZv2H1jA/s4032/IMG_0746.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxB31ORHFwUFrxunFgx-ZiISTFFq_MJxg9ysRrtf0aU41a_qqbsNAeqOoPw67MJtpsg10PRk4JFsrKMwWdAyu9q3WFPNfks9W4hMigZBAzUYSRcA0FsgrcspvyNVTraigxmyjxm2lJ-pna4mRnalgFTKhOfvTzN3LEYFcaDUPuWhNhTF7WrNZv2H1jA/w640-h480/IMG_0746.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC0F_HXAMn3Qfcnxtx4Nabc9FlqDApy513xmRDos6qz0_6IAK_8S_3d5U5CnJWER6-KAn8hn1pQvaydPGqWHNorQkFDG4xmr3FYsdCrMwN2oxGWkHEzmQ86UxOYb7BcMt7QWyZb_0gPpAyCk7boo7ccVxafmb4MWrA0y4YSEtk4LPTmu9zv8AjfZGpg/s4032/IMG_0748.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC0F_HXAMn3Qfcnxtx4Nabc9FlqDApy513xmRDos6qz0_6IAK_8S_3d5U5CnJWER6-KAn8hn1pQvaydPGqWHNorQkFDG4xmr3FYsdCrMwN2oxGWkHEzmQ86UxOYb7BcMt7QWyZb_0gPpAyCk7boo7ccVxafmb4MWrA0y4YSEtk4LPTmu9zv8AjfZGpg/w640-h480/IMG_0748.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>My time on the Virgin ship certainly went a long way towards changing my perspective. I will always prefer independent travel and long stays leisurely exploring my environs. I don't think I will ever identify as a cruise person and will continue to inwardly (and probably outwardly) mock those who do. However, there is no denying that this cruise rocked. As I write this, I am looking at that sexy glowing ship and I know that sooner rather than later, I will be back. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-88294306122401189672022-06-29T10:43:00.506-05:002022-07-06T20:37:13.853-05:00Zooming through Zion<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG0TPRf6EpT0iAln1o-Hm5HLDbiSvikLMRGw0cgJwqg_DL5OS989xKPobU3ePvRd8on2i0Y6K_ih5JCXE8vjvEze5pUf36RoZ9ICl6l42o6TxQ3V0IV6fwsGfJLKeR2LtMl9Nk7vWlupzWgTFbq5NWjrrhTOK8RRLj4OPS90P2zbRjX5SewDA8Ro3ZA/s4032/IMG_7970.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG0TPRf6EpT0iAln1o-Hm5HLDbiSvikLMRGw0cgJwqg_DL5OS989xKPobU3ePvRd8on2i0Y6K_ih5JCXE8vjvEze5pUf36RoZ9ICl6l42o6TxQ3V0IV6fwsGfJLKeR2LtMl9Nk7vWlupzWgTFbq5NWjrrhTOK8RRLj4OPS90P2zbRjX5SewDA8Ro3ZA/w480-h640/IMG_7970.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> There are plenty of things that come to mind when one thinks of Vegas: the non-stop jingling of slot machines, tourists sipping daiquiris from novelty cups the size of toddlers, oppressive summer temperatures so hot that I believe it is legally permissible to bitchslap anyone who uses the term "dry heat". Then there are things that one couldn't possibly be prepared for, things like texts telling you to be ready and outside your hotel at 4:45am. Yet, this was my reality. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why? Because I had signed up for a tour to Zion National Park, which sits a little over 2 hrs from Vegas. I had been wanting to visit this park for ages, I finally had a chance to do so and let's be honest, my National Parks passport needed some stamps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The drive was captivating enough that I abandoned all plans to nap my way to Zion. That, combined with the lively narration from Jason, co-owner and guide extraordinaire for <a href="https://www.mojavewavellc.com/">Mohave Wave</a>, caused the time to fly by. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvImO5HorHT2Z0Xf-a2xgidllK-oO6Oj7Mikj0Ogrn_Pu8ihmgQzI1llEgOMkhWA9kKY8YlMvkQi21ViQP1jNyLoT-e6b3e8T8rk_PY84KLTMxD3gQf2NWIYGNniV4xAbwS4x1wHlTFyHZ8d7M6cVI_3UG64jJ1RleoPIyswKi27Z4eEfAQmxsAxMg9g/s4032/A2BFC0E1-456F-47C5-96DA-AE9765C74E9A_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvImO5HorHT2Z0Xf-a2xgidllK-oO6Oj7Mikj0Ogrn_Pu8ihmgQzI1llEgOMkhWA9kKY8YlMvkQi21ViQP1jNyLoT-e6b3e8T8rk_PY84KLTMxD3gQf2NWIYGNniV4xAbwS4x1wHlTFyHZ8d7M6cVI_3UG64jJ1RleoPIyswKi27Z4eEfAQmxsAxMg9g/w640-h480/A2BFC0E1-456F-47C5-96DA-AE9765C74E9A_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As soon as we arrived, we had to say goodbye to our comfy bus. The park is so crowded that they don't allow private vehicles to enter, choosing instead to shuttle visitors to a number of stops. This is a good idea in theory but the reality of it is Disney-length lines to get onto the shuttle, particularly at the Visitor's center. We only had six hours to enjoy the park, which is longer than what is offered by any of the other tour companies but still not enough to fully appreciate all the splendor on view. <div><br /></div><div>Luckily, we had been well-briefed on how to maximize our time. Most people get on and hop off a couple of stops in, before proceeding north along the route. Jason suggested we take the shuttle all the way to the end and make our way south, thus enjoying the nicest part of the park at its least crowded time. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgR5jKoQrhUm6TQFKtiOpzLvTuyzp17PnNBgBbvn8rKNeLMKS2-76yfRFqab6-kUOobOvhwYm27IOlZeKOn1DBGdbAyC0h6jsnDU77nCI7GQDhig0jInNbWBxgTqIVrQ61W6qwTu7LdJ3jjvwReRvfI_PfEr0mV46t5RousD_R_nc7Ic7xL9O2DCJgw/s4032/IMG_7916.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgR5jKoQrhUm6TQFKtiOpzLvTuyzp17PnNBgBbvn8rKNeLMKS2-76yfRFqab6-kUOobOvhwYm27IOlZeKOn1DBGdbAyC0h6jsnDU77nCI7GQDhig0jInNbWBxgTqIVrQ61W6qwTu7LdJ3jjvwReRvfI_PfEr0mV46t5RousD_R_nc7Ic7xL9O2DCJgw/w480-h640/IMG_7916.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7__OB4GSAy7HvGv9zOb8XcRjf9Lixexsv4NAV3_L1D17oc8uAzVKmnAzVnGYTjXd2l_U5B-yIFAGkeuHP9vTXFfn0Qnj0zudD4SiWlb3kgDiyIRnNFlcHolmvVp59WryiPSzfqlZq5nvwxk9no-XJkE7_j46U7fF5bzQvabpbn-ejRngAAKd5Fhc93A/s4032/IMG_7919.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7__OB4GSAy7HvGv9zOb8XcRjf9Lixexsv4NAV3_L1D17oc8uAzVKmnAzVnGYTjXd2l_U5B-yIFAGkeuHP9vTXFfn0Qnj0zudD4SiWlb3kgDiyIRnNFlcHolmvVp59WryiPSzfqlZq5nvwxk9no-XJkE7_j46U7fF5bzQvabpbn-ejRngAAKd5Fhc93A/w640-h480/IMG_7919.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That would be the part where the Virgin River cuts through the red rocks, creating dramatic views everywhere you look. It is also the site of the Narrows, one of the park's most popular hikes. This trail takes you through the bottom of the canyon, while crossing back and forth across the river. You want to know who intends on hiking the Narrows? It's easy, look for the people wearing special water shoes and carrying sticks. Since we had bussed directly into the park, I did not have any stick/ shoe renting opportunities, but was totally cool with going as far as the start of the trail and moving on.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgF01Qdb-S6MyS7OgSGqOGShF3OEaZAJZGDpVdZMWDAJtAC3JIio62C0znp38FtFEPHaIp1-k__OGuVIjXeitqwDCLipTZbLAZURK_45BwK7PkD1o8_qPgs28aaFDyJc1fskNJ3JL0OSvOWvk_-90EaBD9m09qJ3FNoWpHzY8JdexSIcyJDWNG3dKlQ/s4032/IMG_7922.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgF01Qdb-S6MyS7OgSGqOGShF3OEaZAJZGDpVdZMWDAJtAC3JIio62C0znp38FtFEPHaIp1-k__OGuVIjXeitqwDCLipTZbLAZURK_45BwK7PkD1o8_qPgs28aaFDyJc1fskNJ3JL0OSvOWvk_-90EaBD9m09qJ3FNoWpHzY8JdexSIcyJDWNG3dKlQ/w480-h640/IMG_7922.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhRI4br41qifxcYx4O5Vh4jx42ty3SbjDT0ebOC4cU4k7qdYpCcOmMRRNtKj-Ke719Ih9w1WevlP7mWMeQYpXaJPZh9_MhK9VqoMFjiDgInpjc1oJAUm7HOF3XfJ1lRnXnVxvKQxZLKX-ZTk80lOLHkW9E8iGmtinnZRGI7SsceYJ3ei7dEa2abJGjg/s4032/IMG_7923.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhRI4br41qifxcYx4O5Vh4jx42ty3SbjDT0ebOC4cU4k7qdYpCcOmMRRNtKj-Ke719Ih9w1WevlP7mWMeQYpXaJPZh9_MhK9VqoMFjiDgInpjc1oJAUm7HOF3XfJ1lRnXnVxvKQxZLKX-ZTk80lOLHkW9E8iGmtinnZRGI7SsceYJ3ei7dEa2abJGjg/w640-h480/IMG_7923.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKWlYThxxBYzRTxpXxA2j9gZ0G9EA_-iQzI52OwMuQylSoZIYChgjFs7BOtmnotF_QM401pZUSKteS4OzTcauvfFlae8ZkBeNTY7XffjWlI4rFa34SphU00JvpLtVcrVjdRbKKUvFlY0xB8YDl9JneHUOIlMvYFreiiSFWWrn0EpBOOqjxcVreTE_Qw/s4032/IMG_7929.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKWlYThxxBYzRTxpXxA2j9gZ0G9EA_-iQzI52OwMuQylSoZIYChgjFs7BOtmnotF_QM401pZUSKteS4OzTcauvfFlae8ZkBeNTY7XffjWlI4rFa34SphU00JvpLtVcrVjdRbKKUvFlY0xB8YDl9JneHUOIlMvYFreiiSFWWrn0EpBOOqjxcVreTE_Qw/w480-h640/IMG_7929.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbCojCoaxyJgHD1as64DJlUmDhZTH51U2thX_JggQZiHSr-jYd9tqz4-QyR4sj0wfchipfMjljJYXgSfjXOxi4KRTImbtQ5XRN9np-Bsmar4io40ng75CxVCCf-Wx-aDguNyUtt2bbc0x6K2MdcU1S8Ckf2FEYzLzuLOqqGxq3jEAQSa7ALmJCEHU-Q/s4032/IMG_7934.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbCojCoaxyJgHD1as64DJlUmDhZTH51U2thX_JggQZiHSr-jYd9tqz4-QyR4sj0wfchipfMjljJYXgSfjXOxi4KRTImbtQ5XRN9np-Bsmar4io40ng75CxVCCf-Wx-aDguNyUtt2bbc0x6K2MdcU1S8Ckf2FEYzLzuLOqqGxq3jEAQSa7ALmJCEHU-Q/w480-h640/IMG_7934.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not sure if this is actually a woodpecker but I can attest to the fact that he was, in fact, pecking wood. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />That was, until I got there. Then FOMO kicked in and I wanted to hike the narrows. I had on a pair of Nike sneakers, which I had no problem getting wet, but here I was Berti the stickless in a world full of stick-wielding people.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAmdkC2m5BzZmCql_8KoZYAqmNSbXAGICFtmF9stss1meXfMZ-l0izkuNjc0XE62m9iz4WTnb44tWL6E5KacARqt8NGYeg2Y66lkbwxHLvk5S3YE3Rmu5Wvt7fpwLDqLZaz4XnFY885iLX4WmQItdRQwUVjZxfeFh7atj9UpB8NjyDKvuUQvjyBfK8w/s4032/IMG_7936.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAmdkC2m5BzZmCql_8KoZYAqmNSbXAGICFtmF9stss1meXfMZ-l0izkuNjc0XE62m9iz4WTnb44tWL6E5KacARqt8NGYeg2Y66lkbwxHLvk5S3YE3Rmu5Wvt7fpwLDqLZaz4XnFY885iLX4WmQItdRQwUVjZxfeFh7atj9UpB8NjyDKvuUQvjyBfK8w/w480-h640/IMG_7936.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I made one tentative step into the water and right onto a trickster of a slippery rock before quickly recoiling back to dry land. I could easily see myself going ass over elbow in the river only to have someone ask me "You didn't actually think you could do this without a stick, did you?" And then I would have to beat them with their own stick.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was just about to reluctantly turn back towards the shuttle when I heard someone calling my name. It was Jason, joined by two German girls from the bus. They had come to do a portion of the Narrows (the entire hike is 16 miles and requires a special permit so most people only do a portion before doubling back). None had special shoes or sticks but they were going in regardless. The Germans grew up by a river and were whatever the aquatic equivalent of a billy goat would be, jumping easily from river rock to river rock, one of them barefoot. Jason knows the park better than I know my own apartment so he was clearly comfortable traipsing from one side of the river to the other. I, on the other hand, still had concerns, enough so that I asked a question that required impeccable enunciation "Jason, will you be my stick?"</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1CtemTK5Nx1FTNIh1YGwK94Gqptem_BnV1sotNalg3xg8OAw9MI8umV4qXSTqnje6dSiGCxQ6FXcyczPhFAnDigo2j3y8TlQWAU1QvaEPsTSqt97uV8aapSVlyzzTGJjnpuSzp8aKseTmMP-ZxN-Iar1jJ-DrU-b9jcGg86NgpCKFYrljlLH938M_Q/s4032/IMG_7941.HEIC"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1CtemTK5Nx1FTNIh1YGwK94Gqptem_BnV1sotNalg3xg8OAw9MI8umV4qXSTqnje6dSiGCxQ6FXcyczPhFAnDigo2j3y8TlQWAU1QvaEPsTSqt97uV8aapSVlyzzTGJjnpuSzp8aKseTmMP-ZxN-Iar1jJ-DrU-b9jcGg86NgpCKFYrljlLH938M_Q/w640-h480/IMG_7941.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpHI7CxfuJ3r-henS6JaiBTUdoLK2wcao7nz4YXWKqqRq-Hz10d9QTuXPi1e0Fsnyxs2hc7zkDoCvDE-5ZVZ9ZA9Ivyv2QlVRBYeeLNHCSdtVKTM4naKJhJ3aZhd3WO4u6yknEvl9MHZaPnha_x9D3EhMwT0mWEJmyA8t4NoGxkti1o2ydjCf08sE6A/s4032/IMG_7944.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpHI7CxfuJ3r-henS6JaiBTUdoLK2wcao7nz4YXWKqqRq-Hz10d9QTuXPi1e0Fsnyxs2hc7zkDoCvDE-5ZVZ9ZA9Ivyv2QlVRBYeeLNHCSdtVKTM4naKJhJ3aZhd3WO4u6yknEvl9MHZaPnha_x9D3EhMwT0mWEJmyA8t4NoGxkti1o2ydjCf08sE6A/w480-h640/IMG_7944.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I will forever be grateful that he said yes. With his help, particularly in the areas where there were mini-rapids, we followed the trail for a good 2 hours (plus another 2 hours back) and amazing does not begin to describe it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjG2cee2rZrfkG6xa8kfu-yCPh_NpksY1nJlNt_ABLe7Xl2RTRpwvYmsiVBiXeIzQj1W4OmGweppfs1yrBc1i5_6nZHyxvGrpmE4FlNutomTqYsZnJarALiVN34jWRuwnzx5uFr50ZiW9VZO0fQcFxDuIadIG1FBXIaKoYAbZIiqoYrcLz6Z7yMg8AQ/s4032/IMG_7945.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjG2cee2rZrfkG6xa8kfu-yCPh_NpksY1nJlNt_ABLe7Xl2RTRpwvYmsiVBiXeIzQj1W4OmGweppfs1yrBc1i5_6nZHyxvGrpmE4FlNutomTqYsZnJarALiVN34jWRuwnzx5uFr50ZiW9VZO0fQcFxDuIadIG1FBXIaKoYAbZIiqoYrcLz6Z7yMg8AQ/w480-h640/IMG_7945.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Every turn brought with it a new and even more impressive view. I spent a lot of time looking down so as to not misstep and take us both out but every time I glanced up, I couldn't help but blurt some variation of "Holy shit, this is beautiful!!"</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA53fnp2H64NRPy203DxLDRJ3NTfBkP18I5VtijWpUlxxusCtW2Albr9KMep3iZkq-oOGSLbDeEan1aZlTqbyaFslyb01qqugSmk-m-rLrKDWz-yzQgOPzR3vKahDzaQtJon-l_YT2mG1s4XgK_i-PEHso0LPGqMnzyWgh8MWAScip1JyAsT3QQ35jNg/s4032/IMG_7951.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA53fnp2H64NRPy203DxLDRJ3NTfBkP18I5VtijWpUlxxusCtW2Albr9KMep3iZkq-oOGSLbDeEan1aZlTqbyaFslyb01qqugSmk-m-rLrKDWz-yzQgOPzR3vKahDzaQtJon-l_YT2mG1s4XgK_i-PEHso0LPGqMnzyWgh8MWAScip1JyAsT3QQ35jNg/w480-h640/IMG_7951.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEFAKQrUxpJIChpCVOo0jPTRqwUQVOM2yJIzN9B0f5IrU3aKC185krle9gJZjC4r7BlD4fttNXkRZ1fXQk0mTdqsYTs0U9nTPKEt0J7U8jo3VdiJEON5kjLewh-k1a1GcIBu7_CRHZLK0EH4-H8cp546PoJ8I6TaPY5AKtXgbti5dxx9nLnSHbFllzQ/s4032/IMG_7953.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEFAKQrUxpJIChpCVOo0jPTRqwUQVOM2yJIzN9B0f5IrU3aKC185krle9gJZjC4r7BlD4fttNXkRZ1fXQk0mTdqsYTs0U9nTPKEt0J7U8jo3VdiJEON5kjLewh-k1a1GcIBu7_CRHZLK0EH4-H8cp546PoJ8I6TaPY5AKtXgbti5dxx9nLnSHbFllzQ/w480-h640/IMG_7953.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For most of the crossings, the water was about ankle to shin deep but every now and then, there was a chilly surprise in store. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJX6H9KU-QuYNgYOmnrz3TjTQFCVAioYCazDtVBgbOSb67JqrwYT5yPhSEQ53flPBDGUePiEu2YYOMmoVsEvk8ysglZ-l7qtB2WfBFlLXnhW4jMSIxEr1ah1YGQj2AJrYX-i3EaSFYqkAayapOzY4myAa7lMssGFtj0R6WYPf9WTpVgtmWElY9C8u3A/s4032/IMG_7955.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJX6H9KU-QuYNgYOmnrz3TjTQFCVAioYCazDtVBgbOSb67JqrwYT5yPhSEQ53flPBDGUePiEu2YYOMmoVsEvk8ysglZ-l7qtB2WfBFlLXnhW4jMSIxEr1ah1YGQj2AJrYX-i3EaSFYqkAayapOzY4myAa7lMssGFtj0R6WYPf9WTpVgtmWElY9C8u3A/w480-h640/IMG_7955.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig05RMOLj_KhRSFOYpT5Eurf3Zdx7YycB0FzYlKeJrHf55Qxw5tXgR__6AyyhNiRNQKUjgMDANuE5NIYSNhNv-Wn05nWO8dhYM0ML9-FjOj3_0rWZkILSyHKEOwlXNdNoOFoBhSUTg51ZKYgMEaZ-qDgxJKeVF1bT8ZhNbNgEI05NNcj1G6HXPZMIubg/s4032/IMG_7956.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig05RMOLj_KhRSFOYpT5Eurf3Zdx7YycB0FzYlKeJrHf55Qxw5tXgR__6AyyhNiRNQKUjgMDANuE5NIYSNhNv-Wn05nWO8dhYM0ML9-FjOj3_0rWZkILSyHKEOwlXNdNoOFoBhSUTg51ZKYgMEaZ-qDgxJKeVF1bT8ZhNbNgEI05NNcj1G6HXPZMIubg/w640-h480/IMG_7956.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jason, master guide and best stick in town.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuVbo7ipI321uG_iNlyD95MDVhVAsxynC4RKDKkcgCCJ-SnmC8GPJgPCxC5CR-1pDt35NqsvscaD8Yc5CJqr_KlZvIWB42VGIVdMXX9sL00jezpnyTfRxsfOkD6KTF7-b0GXSvWF4DcZRUJ8FBiE8jsR0w9xaul_jf4UJjnDlZzGw1GqRuk9zrL4PZw/s4032/IMG_7958.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuVbo7ipI321uG_iNlyD95MDVhVAsxynC4RKDKkcgCCJ-SnmC8GPJgPCxC5CR-1pDt35NqsvscaD8Yc5CJqr_KlZvIWB42VGIVdMXX9sL00jezpnyTfRxsfOkD6KTF7-b0GXSvWF4DcZRUJ8FBiE8jsR0w9xaul_jf4UJjnDlZzGw1GqRuk9zrL4PZw/w480-h640/IMG_7958.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not generally one to take a lot of selfies but two factors altered my usual behavior. One, did I not just mention how fricking gorgeous this place is (and trust, these photos don't even begin to capture it). The second reason, more significantly, were my friends who balked at the early report time and chose to hit the clubs and sleep in instead. This was to be the most scenic "I told you so" in the history of "I told you so"'s. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4iK7Lk3OP-FYrg11_qW8QyswBZ47ndyw85udVdPNGO0ysMht7y8LdM0vUCUdXWirFBEiQs1MpbuuwafPWg-ZVtK2whIQ9zY_6NadTB8cN_qHsSaGloEp29dtvXOvIvG8eAwN8HFo2S7WyULZ5xaKiad2cQZ0JmOZBH3ELvlhT7FKEIiURLnKsXGtBQ/s4032/IMG_7963.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4iK7Lk3OP-FYrg11_qW8QyswBZ47ndyw85udVdPNGO0ysMht7y8LdM0vUCUdXWirFBEiQs1MpbuuwafPWg-ZVtK2whIQ9zY_6NadTB8cN_qHsSaGloEp29dtvXOvIvG8eAwN8HFo2S7WyULZ5xaKiad2cQZ0JmOZBH3ELvlhT7FKEIiURLnKsXGtBQ/w480-h640/IMG_7963.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduV4km0BM7bUhrCR2pAKw59jeFElEi298hDp_ylxtRUBHMHQc6QwLXEK4kHHlT1Z56kVe3rdWB-JsCe1B1m3u6KlOawi7xgf0tEklh0d0mj6rv3BHn5UmFLUl0oQHc7Mc4gctwaRdPZZm3WZTWAKfQ4bqQ9R_YIdJcSTfSkBxk07NWTMSQ1aBs5MYRQ/s4032/IMG_7969.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduV4km0BM7bUhrCR2pAKw59jeFElEi298hDp_ylxtRUBHMHQc6QwLXEK4kHHlT1Z56kVe3rdWB-JsCe1B1m3u6KlOawi7xgf0tEklh0d0mj6rv3BHn5UmFLUl0oQHc7Mc4gctwaRdPZZm3WZTWAKfQ4bqQ9R_YIdJcSTfSkBxk07NWTMSQ1aBs5MYRQ/w640-h480/IMG_7969.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sWpu4L-pNZArQADpVbUl8-pQOGrjMtHkFCNxEzw196dVPh-iABmdeGYEhEQZXy95cyDPGkPc9JZZfbWo9llG8jOsgOovrPPV43FSoa5GpIg6V4b5_6vQ9SipCFhimEjXHj5XWkrPvx5uIS_rcikVBhXBcLbGEhBqBSWxPnWwbKSAgFnuQUaPAuTcjg/s6068/IMG_7973.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6068" data-original-width="3786" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sWpu4L-pNZArQADpVbUl8-pQOGrjMtHkFCNxEzw196dVPh-iABmdeGYEhEQZXy95cyDPGkPc9JZZfbWo9llG8jOsgOovrPPV43FSoa5GpIg6V4b5_6vQ9SipCFhimEjXHj5XWkrPvx5uIS_rcikVBhXBcLbGEhBqBSWxPnWwbKSAgFnuQUaPAuTcjg/w400-h640/IMG_7973.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJtTURPL9Gzg6a1wYqUcjHBmE3JJylpAoe--e6HsQyL1e4mUBhUVnv1jx9_x555EcbrBjtoWiAMPFFfXqTBQC1l4mRs5cI2cHmGgbwbPZtugGAGvB_T6c15iTjg9Q6B_2jwF3izzeq2i5VOebl_oxBveo6VwkmgrRHqHnAgK_W_XUJnsjdcWpH-2_ag/s4032/IMG_7982.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJtTURPL9Gzg6a1wYqUcjHBmE3JJylpAoe--e6HsQyL1e4mUBhUVnv1jx9_x555EcbrBjtoWiAMPFFfXqTBQC1l4mRs5cI2cHmGgbwbPZtugGAGvB_T6c15iTjg9Q6B_2jwF3izzeq2i5VOebl_oxBveo6VwkmgrRHqHnAgK_W_XUJnsjdcWpH-2_ag/w480-h640/IMG_7982.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNjwZLQJrAyMJQzaiWqBOt9kWlhWf1ZdMwW4vq3svTqRDzRrjdjBBImEZxMwJ3ft1oSg5Hpkij9dyc7RryNqbwzYh3IFi-rudds_NsJgxYqp2hdeBHR8mq1q-HmbG76_guVz1gYzB3RQB74o8apoCasmijczlJRS4gfI7ejrEP0F570XqVKm1xJofqg/s4032/IMG_7983.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNjwZLQJrAyMJQzaiWqBOt9kWlhWf1ZdMwW4vq3svTqRDzRrjdjBBImEZxMwJ3ft1oSg5Hpkij9dyc7RryNqbwzYh3IFi-rudds_NsJgxYqp2hdeBHR8mq1q-HmbG76_guVz1gYzB3RQB74o8apoCasmijczlJRS4gfI7ejrEP0F570XqVKm1xJofqg/w480-h640/IMG_7983.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3NnUgxT-0-3wgMtW4MRWS8WYtmLSjSrmZzKQHUzdIjfY6VIOAbLX8XZYyl9pmt3fvHXtepnAAvWi45TpN2MUA2eF5kaVSdPV9l1XvcyXwlMuE1ty4acXReqPt5y2e-Y5sf2EP0Wp6R0-AVvmXbxyg7QLKuPfevF_AFO-lAwwIlQRM7XBb6qotRmuLA/s4032/IMG_7986.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3NnUgxT-0-3wgMtW4MRWS8WYtmLSjSrmZzKQHUzdIjfY6VIOAbLX8XZYyl9pmt3fvHXtepnAAvWi45TpN2MUA2eF5kaVSdPV9l1XvcyXwlMuE1ty4acXReqPt5y2e-Y5sf2EP0Wp6R0-AVvmXbxyg7QLKuPfevF_AFO-lAwwIlQRM7XBb6qotRmuLA/w640-h480/IMG_7986.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRJxfueCiH9Asuyfb1orL-fbSYSPpq6oc6cNR8BKw96d_GfCLdub_IZ01KDqs7B3Ky9NMPyo0gN4tU1z2euOiFzOB5bOGzfq0Vwu4-Cvrgbziux9zRd2BMl49gfGtGu-TdqC0NChXFEhWtUu6dJ4eXYRfNHWfVR6MCJrw0gRxV9LuZUwB1pSMY1iSZA/s4032/IMG_7990.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRJxfueCiH9Asuyfb1orL-fbSYSPpq6oc6cNR8BKw96d_GfCLdub_IZ01KDqs7B3Ky9NMPyo0gN4tU1z2euOiFzOB5bOGzfq0Vwu4-Cvrgbziux9zRd2BMl49gfGtGu-TdqC0NChXFEhWtUu6dJ4eXYRfNHWfVR6MCJrw0gRxV9LuZUwB1pSMY1iSZA/w480-h640/IMG_7990.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3allf0wZeDPFvV_u04ZHKiCx-CV-EqXC2Dy83_AYP0TjehpXu35KZCsGSn9CeusU-jP5DZ1XmV6kb-3zZTmX2_f19oMT2zWED3lJ4hDyxq_DwRrHFN-ykgfljd5UdiypWXV37KnTgeqUw_WUNE5lzlMk4bT5SyZAEl95vLHfExO8kEJgXHUaNsPKeg/s4032/IMG_7995.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3allf0wZeDPFvV_u04ZHKiCx-CV-EqXC2Dy83_AYP0TjehpXu35KZCsGSn9CeusU-jP5DZ1XmV6kb-3zZTmX2_f19oMT2zWED3lJ4hDyxq_DwRrHFN-ykgfljd5UdiypWXV37KnTgeqUw_WUNE5lzlMk4bT5SyZAEl95vLHfExO8kEJgXHUaNsPKeg/w640-h480/IMG_7995.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>By the time we got back to the starting point, almost 5 of our 6 hours had elapsed. We would have to skip all the stops on the way back to the Visitor's Center but I can't imagine there being anything more spectacular than the Narrows (and if there is, I don't want to hear about it until I can get back to the park, please and thank you).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lRikAJMxBjrlUe0TlaNSafgY_KZYmIcMjzPPUEhntSVND02urQTk_mkwJhUoL32n-D0piH51XtcPPC3MHtkVf1kTNwj01r4LLr0ojogs5G4R-Ol6qnEArAnF74F3lfqX_IzFskdaq_utEUv4o_jhMfz51TzK4PpHObrKF37uTkcxYmDeB7GoZ1Hwxw/s4032/IMG_7998.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lRikAJMxBjrlUe0TlaNSafgY_KZYmIcMjzPPUEhntSVND02urQTk_mkwJhUoL32n-D0piH51XtcPPC3MHtkVf1kTNwj01r4LLr0ojogs5G4R-Ol6qnEArAnF74F3lfqX_IzFskdaq_utEUv4o_jhMfz51TzK4PpHObrKF37uTkcxYmDeB7GoZ1Hwxw/w480-h640/IMG_7998.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the very least, staying close to the water may have spared me from being attacked by what appear to be some very aggressive deer. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6UtGwvOUWF4sNOU2aJhdUcB8OOAq3qQBTS3WVrmz_0Gfg8U-FN17lt6F1HVB99-dMNRh6rY8E8qjfuHd6F6n8CkZvxU6Je9A29ux4gdYWN4ZoiXD1v0pLhxgEqdXf-8VP2V85L53Nunb6XX7s2ODpf7uNSAcLUYqNq-sKfllleuRKjhzg_PLbY3lRQ/s4032/IMG_8002.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6UtGwvOUWF4sNOU2aJhdUcB8OOAq3qQBTS3WVrmz_0Gfg8U-FN17lt6F1HVB99-dMNRh6rY8E8qjfuHd6F6n8CkZvxU6Je9A29ux4gdYWN4ZoiXD1v0pLhxgEqdXf-8VP2V85L53Nunb6XX7s2ODpf7uNSAcLUYqNq-sKfllleuRKjhzg_PLbY3lRQ/w480-h640/IMG_8002.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; text-align: start;">♪ </span>Doe, a deer, a gangster deer ♪</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Once back at the visitor's center, I had just enough time to do the very start of the Watchman's trail and of course, get that park stamp. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoQNfs2pIzVSW3sZigb-kjmgV_bL8PB0N8pvdR9mfBLwIG6fu9bMHhhjHTxHELUW-U8Sy7BdSSeA3W3ptXYu6A2exUfSi9Y1NO_YYP2m4oenXGzGL8xoA45DeaPk1j3cEB7AZgrtinLbuj1OLXyg51OS9FQzHgEbDO1ekux1Wy6UHzRctTaH5P6cq6A/s4032/IMG_8003.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoQNfs2pIzVSW3sZigb-kjmgV_bL8PB0N8pvdR9mfBLwIG6fu9bMHhhjHTxHELUW-U8Sy7BdSSeA3W3ptXYu6A2exUfSi9Y1NO_YYP2m4oenXGzGL8xoA45DeaPk1j3cEB7AZgrtinLbuj1OLXyg51OS9FQzHgEbDO1ekux1Wy6UHzRctTaH5P6cq6A/w640-h480/IMG_8003.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRX1dXEDrePez1UQbPx_Hwe47LHeUtYMibqPv2Rm_9GqcZ7l9-1qgYuGlyrlzpvP22EoAynp6qQ-a_XXvKrQaCjKKTIOn2M7jKGVVrmu8LkxGVMg-sGzgKKVlmRazyqH2_1DnNGx3HoamMW6bet8hc1u_fD4OXQv2MXCrr0kC9h4g6W9x-T3Que8msw/s4032/IMG_8005.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRX1dXEDrePez1UQbPx_Hwe47LHeUtYMibqPv2Rm_9GqcZ7l9-1qgYuGlyrlzpvP22EoAynp6qQ-a_XXvKrQaCjKKTIOn2M7jKGVVrmu8LkxGVMg-sGzgKKVlmRazyqH2_1DnNGx3HoamMW6bet8hc1u_fD4OXQv2MXCrr0kC9h4g6W9x-T3Que8msw/w640-h480/IMG_8005.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A quick fuel stop on the return allowed to me to grab some local beers and settle in for the return ride.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXUmwfm3XseyWI-QPghdUOvOSwmNCzjAucv4fO3zbGYJCNluHJtHOgNH8dVlGYF2sbSsvZ8PFl7VAh5146YMAWckaWZZTCtgFrxaR6RX0S7dSYhHsdRRNkErv0VWn2T-IvZxs4_Tu_F21KOBatXttM5KHHiVMRENPtokgOTtNzUGE3xaVyd8PcgkoeQ/s4032/IMG_8006.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXUmwfm3XseyWI-QPghdUOvOSwmNCzjAucv4fO3zbGYJCNluHJtHOgNH8dVlGYF2sbSsvZ8PFl7VAh5146YMAWckaWZZTCtgFrxaR6RX0S7dSYhHsdRRNkErv0VWn2T-IvZxs4_Tu_F21KOBatXttM5KHHiVMRENPtokgOTtNzUGE3xaVyd8PcgkoeQ/w480-h640/IMG_8006.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Love me some devil water.</i> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a spectacular day with an awesome guide and one of the best hikes I've ever done. Totally worth the early alarm, even if it was in Vegas. </div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0Zion National Park, Utah, USA37.2982022 -113.02630058.9879683638211532 -148.1825505 65.608436036178844 -77.8700505tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-54934420377126852682022-05-18T23:18:00.005-05:002022-05-19T06:26:49.194-05:00Sauntering Back to Life<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5y1Ruc448ogdB8l53jx3w4tlRrBafY7jsfpY3rqdpymxQqcaIhq7Eegzs7GyMdcRKDjvdaDHF8G1PGTxFlAAKUEtv8KJUmcyxnVg2vM0FR-wv8KNdVYfay4fxQ8SQiqY5lLSpF2XAeAJ9-tsd4fSyV8bydMbJTTNsloH0j62d3tctXMxAWO7nSZBQ/s4032/IMG_7232.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5y1Ruc448ogdB8l53jx3w4tlRrBafY7jsfpY3rqdpymxQqcaIhq7Eegzs7GyMdcRKDjvdaDHF8G1PGTxFlAAKUEtv8KJUmcyxnVg2vM0FR-wv8KNdVYfay4fxQ8SQiqY5lLSpF2XAeAJ9-tsd4fSyV8bydMbJTTNsloH0j62d3tctXMxAWO7nSZBQ/s320/IMG_7232.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">So, uh, it's been a minute. How's everyone doing? How have the last 2 years been treating you? Actually, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">don't answer that. If its been life-affirming and you learned how to make bread, good for you. If it has sucked and you are still processing the jarring changes that were foist upon us, I'm right there with you. Either way, I only mention it by way of explanation as to why this, a travel blog, has been dormant. To give the short answer, not only did the world shut down but on May 8, 2020, I also lost my dream job, the one that facilitated so many of my wanderings. In the time since, I have been trying to regain my footing and figure out the next step. There have been a couple of trips here and there, including a new country- Hi, Republic of Maldives aka Country #119, welcome to the club- but I just have not been motivated to write anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That needs to change. Two years of moping is one year, eleven months too many. With that and a birthday coming up, I decided to shake it up and do something I'd been wanting to do ever since I heard about it many many years ago. I would be doing the Great Saunter. Although this may sound like the name of a dance move or a second rate magician, it is actually an annual event going back to 1982 involving a fair amount of sauntering. As in 32 miles in one day's worth of sauntering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This event, which is essentially a one day walk around the entire perimeter of Manhattan began with conservationist Cy A Adler's book <u>Walking Manhattan’s Rim, the Great Saunter.</u> He wanted to inspire people to get out and walk, while also pushing for more waterfront access. His cause caught on and led to his founding <a href="https://shorewalkers.org/">Shorewalkers</a>, a non-profit dedicated to the very same aims. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's fair to say that Cy succeeded. The Great Saunter has been continuously growing in popularity, celebrating its 35th year by reaching the 2500 registrant max weeks before the actual event. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Among those 2500 were my sister and my friend, Susie. The fact that both agreed so easily and eagerly for this boded really well. Both are in great shape (the sister does these insane paramilitary mud slog Spartan Races and Susie does 5k for fun, in costume even!) and are fantastic company so the 12 hr walk was going to fly by. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Only as the day got closer, some causes for concern arose. Susie, who had managed to avoid a global pandemic for 2 years, came down with Covid. My sister mentioned that she was feeling a cold coming on. Most troubling of all, the weather forecasts for May 7th were becoming increasingly grim. Overnight, I became both a virologist, trying to determine how quickly one could shed a virus and a meteorologist, studying weather radars and throwing around phrases like "stalled storm fronts". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, Shorewalkers social media posts and emails started gently suggesting that perhaps we would like to add a raincoat or poncho to our ever-growing list of gameday items (along with extra socks, snacks, bandages, phone chargers, water, more snacks). I began obsessively checking NY weather forecasts and rejoicing whenever the chance of rain dropped from 100% to a mere 80%- before going right back up to 100%. At one point, Shorewalkers optimistically posted that it couldn't actually rain for 12 straight hours. Unfortunately, Mother Nature herself clearly saw this post and responded with a "Oh wood nymph, would you be so lovely as to hold my beer". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It rained the day prior, when I arrived in NY. It rained the entire night leading up to the Saunter. And yes, it rained the entire 11 hours it took us to walk the trail. Not content with just rain, the forecast also called for 40 mph wind gusts. Now, I don't actually know if those materialized but if you ask me if was windy enough to cause a cheapo red poncho to flail about and cause its wearer to look like a crazed Little Red Riding Hood/ Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate hybrid, the answer is absolutely. But more on that later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sadly, Susie's Covid not only persisted but it also got a hold of her family. That combined with the looming battle of the elements caused her to bow out. My sister, who had defeated her cold and I, had flown up from Miami for this so we were doing it, crap weather be damned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Initially, it was just a light drizzle. We set off at 6:30am for the short walk to Fraunces Tavern, which acts as both starting point and finish line. Along the way, we passed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fearless_Girl">Fearless Girl </a>, an ode to female empowerment and took it as a good sign. This plus the fact that this was the first time we had seen her free from touristic hordes called for a photo stop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDtm8moU_xb9NQgz3ECgmZy5bxX9I59jKo4eyu3Gwn815V7H1uHrCBEnPNpOJ0xvBHXc15iPwYQDsNZpGv4gCykZJktqIWur1cwzN5MTO33Ny3e_FwLnJWvkaujVXXndDEA72xOdQBEz163oGOEvm84Nh1OGV8-_nOsVjUO6s8ZPZCwnB0G3-qvlTKg/s4032/IMG_7224.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDtm8moU_xb9NQgz3ECgmZy5bxX9I59jKo4eyu3Gwn815V7H1uHrCBEnPNpOJ0xvBHXc15iPwYQDsNZpGv4gCykZJktqIWur1cwzN5MTO33Ny3e_FwLnJWvkaujVXXndDEA72xOdQBEz163oGOEvm84Nh1OGV8-_nOsVjUO6s8ZPZCwnB0G3-qvlTKg/w480-h640/IMG_7224.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Note the optimistic pair of sunglasses perched upon my head.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we reached the Tavern, a crowd was already gathered, collecting their commemorative pins and hats and preparing for the day ahead. It was later <a href="https://shorewalkers.org/saunter-strong-the-35th-anniversary-great-saunter/">reported </a>that out of the 2500 registrants, approximately 1500 showed up, which is still an impressive number considering the dire forecast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uQAubjvcon4YF54Noqky4sxY01gsfOALRpCv_xQDin0ngr0Y4rVjU5FsnMR6NCyuxeE_zAMoLIhz0K3sX3IP3fvSDSA7yfKhsn2Lr4V-Bke2gxZPKDnQ5i39JdeVfEx4PH1sfyh-KUkk1cvwxtoQEOJdewmr9RMpsANHLpzgce-XQJN94S0yjGdjJA/s1080/AEC2935D-834B-4254-85D9-EE7542848678.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1080" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uQAubjvcon4YF54Noqky4sxY01gsfOALRpCv_xQDin0ngr0Y4rVjU5FsnMR6NCyuxeE_zAMoLIhz0K3sX3IP3fvSDSA7yfKhsn2Lr4V-Bke2gxZPKDnQ5i39JdeVfEx4PH1sfyh-KUkk1cvwxtoQEOJdewmr9RMpsANHLpzgce-XQJN94S0yjGdjJA/w400-h304/AEC2935D-834B-4254-85D9-EE7542848678.jpeg" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In case you are wondering if there a man dressed like Gandolf standing behind me, yes, yes there is.</i> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the 7am start time arrived, we were all expecting some kind of grand gesture: a starting pistol, trumpet flare, ceremonial horn blowing, something... Instead, there was a volunteer saying "Ok, you guys can start.", followed by confused looks from the attendees. "No, really, there is no official start. Just go." No movement. "Um, ok, I'm declaring that this is the official start. Please, go, start walking." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That did the trick. We set off, en masse, towards the West Side Highway, which we would follow all the way up to the northern tip of the island. This has not always been the case, as the first Saunter reportedly involved climbing fences, crossing through abandoned lots and other obstacles of dubious legality. Now, thanks in large part to Cy and his staff, there is a continuous well-maintained walkway.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQERZNMCq3dfp-1lyCwUJo6v0xJuYwOt6FzD8W5ZU3GTumMnf3vJTTtax51arUScj7UjGvpTI-nIHxbaEOQPnr77W2UXOvPVY9UYeFptilvBHM9IOZY0iutIQ5qmjp683GrmWCUFMvtGdU5Y7XPzuTRh51Y8sy67hbAHosxM0XUrEkzs4SMqTM9J_32Q/s4032/IMG_7227.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQERZNMCq3dfp-1lyCwUJo6v0xJuYwOt6FzD8W5ZU3GTumMnf3vJTTtax51arUScj7UjGvpTI-nIHxbaEOQPnr77W2UXOvPVY9UYeFptilvBHM9IOZY0iutIQ5qmjp683GrmWCUFMvtGdU5Y7XPzuTRh51Y8sy67hbAHosxM0XUrEkzs4SMqTM9J_32Q/w640-h480/IMG_7227.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoxoJhrP39_0LbpKZqBWJcG8M_AlP8HN9KdI_S_3fMH4hrHsUHXIqf2B3rFd5LlpdMom_0d7yvzXU_cjlxqvszgHOgWNdrPWrmomgfOBWARp8LVaKkVSFVzwDNAOXdUcTxMnDydi3nzIjvi8fNIoZTiWN-xI_zMNh390HAzVGlZWOxTUeU5b0jEH9ZA/s4032/IMG_7231.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoxoJhrP39_0LbpKZqBWJcG8M_AlP8HN9KdI_S_3fMH4hrHsUHXIqf2B3rFd5LlpdMom_0d7yvzXU_cjlxqvszgHOgWNdrPWrmomgfOBWARp8LVaKkVSFVzwDNAOXdUcTxMnDydi3nzIjvi8fNIoZTiWN-xI_zMNh390HAzVGlZWOxTUeU5b0jEH9ZA/w640-h480/IMG_7231.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Those first hours were spent making mental notes of places I wanted to return to, given more time and better weather. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlsodvgGYqKHKVoram86TXEPUj3hAbeSPaOHc48_gz_JNk6jx4DnVbFZWPGmwfXcyBFC69lJvIlUT_jADKZSaQU41XNKUrEjN4JpKKSqXhv0CMmx8wze5-RfpwyM6QpI_TMNnM-b5BAFP6_hpX-o73VO_bBxGlL1lsrY-Ewvc2pd-RJzmFzhD-lvXEw/s4032/IMG_7233.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlsodvgGYqKHKVoram86TXEPUj3hAbeSPaOHc48_gz_JNk6jx4DnVbFZWPGmwfXcyBFC69lJvIlUT_jADKZSaQU41XNKUrEjN4JpKKSqXhv0CMmx8wze5-RfpwyM6QpI_TMNnM-b5BAFP6_hpX-o73VO_bBxGlL1lsrY-Ewvc2pd-RJzmFzhD-lvXEw/w640-h480/IMG_7233.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once we hit the 5 mile mark, we had our first encounter with the superheroes. Technically, I believe they are called volunteers, but for people to give of their time to root on the Saunterers and provide us with snacks, to me, is the stuff of superheroes and no one is going to convince me otherwise. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Ieu9bHyKwmAZSKNdPq73_-qX7sydCSq4SLooG2L_1fKCKuOlRFDTzwJ3oddJymnsbTJJeovujmrQdLta1UpTIjbdDh-Nn0CoTtm3FCUt6eg68zhhpHp-269Hv3vZgboQNqpVFT-51NrMb0hmppZ0oHZNib2cjpyKyJlWynKe8v-fYWkvHcVpcJRAA/s4032/IMG_7234.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-Ieu9bHyKwmAZSKNdPq73_-qX7sydCSq4SLooG2L_1fKCKuOlRFDTzwJ3oddJymnsbTJJeovujmrQdLta1UpTIjbdDh-Nn0CoTtm3FCUt6eg68zhhpHp-269Hv3vZgboQNqpVFT-51NrMb0hmppZ0oHZNib2cjpyKyJlWynKe8v-fYWkvHcVpcJRAA/w480-h640/IMG_7234.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The mile five heroes gave us granola bars. Mind you, I had enough snacks in my backpack to keep a ravenous family of squirrels content through the most brutal of winters but due to the increasingly shitty weather, I could not fathom removing my poncho to dig through said backpack. That granola bar was perfectly timed. It also brought with it a troubling realization. Did I mention that the temperature was in the low 40's? It was. That combined with the generally wet nature of the day and lack of gloves, led to totally numb hands. Have you ever tried to open the packaging of a granola bar with wet, numb hands? Those things are impenetrable!! I gnawed at it like an angry badger but the nutty treat eluded me. Eventually, my sister managed to break through but the problems did not end there.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ46zbLNdFbze1XZv5d5kTFbMsF8pz7_WE4_btJZI3YWjsIABVya0w4UZgW8w_dVD8teGL8j4kardtqWrZZfpzM1Bdz9bUa_uzt_h4_UraB0yCcwRgTRmuDD1yMLjPAukwRaTLW94KYFDDiOYgmQp2JO9k9SkNqMSO1zNX7EYtYUGQtApZHWVpXRkAA/s2990/Attachment-1.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2990" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ46zbLNdFbze1XZv5d5kTFbMsF8pz7_WE4_btJZI3YWjsIABVya0w4UZgW8w_dVD8teGL8j4kardtqWrZZfpzM1Bdz9bUa_uzt_h4_UraB0yCcwRgTRmuDD1yMLjPAukwRaTLW94KYFDDiOYgmQp2JO9k9SkNqMSO1zNX7EYtYUGQtApZHWVpXRkAA/w640-h426/Attachment-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Somewhere around the 10 mile mark, we stopped to use a public bathroom. Specifically, we went to seek out the hand blower, which had a longer line than the toilets themselves. Since we were there already, I decided I might as well use the facilities. Related question, have you ever tried to pull down very tight lycra pants with wet numb hands, all while trying not to pee on your poncho? It ain't easy. Harder still, pulling those pants back up. I literally could not feel my hands, meaning I could not grip anything. Try as I might, the pants wouldn't budge. I was either going to have to live out the rest of my life in that bathroom stall or complete the rest of the saunter ass out. At that point, I saw my sister over the bathroom door and called for help. She laughed and continued to go about her business. I stressed that I genuinely needed help. After no less than 3 rounds of "Do you really need help?" she entered my stall to help pull those suckers back up, which by this point had gotten all kinds of twisted around. When I think back to the glory of the Great Saunter, this moment will not make the highlight reel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our next set of heroes appeared around W125th, roughly the 10 mile mark. These came bearing apples and bottles of water. It warmed my heart, if not my hands, to get a snack that I could literally just bite into. If on my deathbed you ask me which was the best apple I ever tasted, I will tell you that it was the one that I got on the Great Saunter 2022. The water also came in handy because even though I was wearing a camelbak and carrying roughly a gallon of water on my back, the amount of sucking that infernal little tube required was more than I had in me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Along the way, there was a friendly professional photographer that kept popping up to take our pictures. It was through his photos that I later learned that Will Farrell was sauntering amongst us. Based on the order of the pics, it looks like he may have been maybe 15-30 minutes ahead of us. One of the things I was most looking forward to was meeting fellow saunterers. Anyone willing to spend the day circumnavigating Manhattan was clearly my people and would surely have great stories to tell. Had one of those people been Will Farrell, all the better. Unfortunately, the heads down, power through nature of this particular walk cut down significantly on the opportunities to interact with others. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT2wj_QKywk3bwpM1jp7BW278BS17rYaV8o2TdozLRGgY7tBXjP6MRpm09NRCCC_9LuEUD2l0AOh333ebEi5HVknQ32Ny1wYhgT7pgFNaVrGSF1788Olhy20ITkuOIKoA5bUzy9IpL97eJto-LVnpsMQNDHyaNxOEHTpzvnxc_noovtqmk9maORS0TJg"><img alt="" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="3360" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT2wj_QKywk3bwpM1jp7BW278BS17rYaV8o2TdozLRGgY7tBXjP6MRpm09NRCCC_9LuEUD2l0AOh333ebEi5HVknQ32Ny1wYhgT7pgFNaVrGSF1788Olhy20ITkuOIKoA5bUzy9IpL97eJto-LVnpsMQNDHyaNxOEHTpzvnxc_noovtqmk9maORS0TJg=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One thing that the weather could not mess up was the beauty of the trail itself. As a lifelong wannabe New Yorker, I have spent a fair amount of time in the coolest city on earth, yet this walk revealed to me so many areas I never even knew existed. As we got towards the northern part of the island, it began to look more and more bucolic. At one point, we had a rocky hill to our right and a charming little lighthouse to our left...in Manhattan!! Who knew?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyUEHYnnUlDlOpiffU1XtpGaDANzgiA-GwW-EHX7rnTE8yFjMpgczYG66pguSgn4nhhd_YULjHj2RxbRwCWixn8NhfGrryCmZ3s3tCRnOUOKhhEnPAFs3THe567NQ96mYC-evtakGGscqvsXjnfNjeSvn5Cebqpg0x7Mxqvqq_OXz3uj-oJy72zvDXw/s4032/IMG_7237.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyUEHYnnUlDlOpiffU1XtpGaDANzgiA-GwW-EHX7rnTE8yFjMpgczYG66pguSgn4nhhd_YULjHj2RxbRwCWixn8NhfGrryCmZ3s3tCRnOUOKhhEnPAFs3THe567NQ96mYC-evtakGGscqvsXjnfNjeSvn5Cebqpg0x7Mxqvqq_OXz3uj-oJy72zvDXw/w640-h480/IMG_7237.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5572Sk_vw3iufO6NfjryisrZz9xUWgaaKZhGRk7Ai_c7_eO_tYRVjh7dU_ywzAXGkPs8Z0uwMB9zXpKiDyncZrLS-yBC6r4IBEwVf4HGexcnoEFbDyvKT87a1OoMj4NgbsDSSVHA83OzLc7CCIsnPz2H6ZaAdNhmxAjbTT0Wftr9Oz2Cg0QDL3PQcbw/s4032/IMG_7239.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5572Sk_vw3iufO6NfjryisrZz9xUWgaaKZhGRk7Ai_c7_eO_tYRVjh7dU_ywzAXGkPs8Z0uwMB9zXpKiDyncZrLS-yBC6r4IBEwVf4HGexcnoEFbDyvKT87a1OoMj4NgbsDSSVHA83OzLc7CCIsnPz2H6ZaAdNhmxAjbTT0Wftr9Oz2Cg0QDL3PQcbw/w480-h640/IMG_7239.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejUZ8jnt6jRxynBhpbb1RlVsXf3wJFsIJXIVCWW2yJdzwUeGuqCW4DjIIx-XuW9mb1Tq-Nf3rVk14_pz7htn7ALsUyYt8F19pcFq-SoLUzKLw8PjueB4frxNkGlw-J8G6Enjb0fZ32fO99-uZVdOh3Vu_o6Anlt-kK-r96EE_7hY6HE41uwSNknOpcQ/s4032/IMG_7240.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejUZ8jnt6jRxynBhpbb1RlVsXf3wJFsIJXIVCWW2yJdzwUeGuqCW4DjIIx-XuW9mb1Tq-Nf3rVk14_pz7htn7ALsUyYt8F19pcFq-SoLUzKLw8PjueB4frxNkGlw-J8G6Enjb0fZ32fO99-uZVdOh3Vu_o6Anlt-kK-r96EE_7hY6HE41uwSNknOpcQ/w640-h480/IMG_7240.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Around noon, we reached Inwood Park, the halfway point and designated lunch stop. We had been averaging around 3.3 mph and spent the morning struggling with mathematical calculations of the 'we have now completed 1/4 of the walk' and 'I think we have hit the 1/3 mark' variety.</div><div><br /></div><div>The park was lovely and there were plenty more heroes to point the way, as this was where things began to get tricky. There was a farmer's market going on, which would have been ideal for a mid-walk picnic. There were more heroes at the lunch spot, this time offering pringles, goldfish crackers and Gatorade. The problem was that the weather had somehow managed to get even colder, windier and wetter and who wants to sit in a park under those conditions. We grabbed our snacks and soldiered on. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQcvbT7hmP1c2BmQsTcnxStWbWABecHECMIJKRZfHdM8j77pWskJlQFL8E1Sgvla1EsMSE-zSt1LweKkGea4hVvnzS4G_eC37_vHuWfKWwFGQpxkPaxqw3babQF5C4PBKmj6t9GrctV9mhvOxQO4LqmgSQUDI7fCfgx4JKClXAw51SXpBYU9vOyXUXw/s4032/IMG_7241.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQcvbT7hmP1c2BmQsTcnxStWbWABecHECMIJKRZfHdM8j77pWskJlQFL8E1Sgvla1EsMSE-zSt1LweKkGea4hVvnzS4G_eC37_vHuWfKWwFGQpxkPaxqw3babQF5C4PBKmj6t9GrctV9mhvOxQO4LqmgSQUDI7fCfgx4JKClXAw51SXpBYU9vOyXUXw/w480-h640/IMG_7241.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVmU9JfB2UX_5Zg965PcsS0mM75vBSYEmHoXSqbWgJLsjuPov9e4CvRDrn45qnusiHFw_jnKiUuQnZ7kaw55IRqYckhLl4lKxWAjg3vyOUvE9o7iYRTTWwgqnaRRvmI7dmSXJdU50KofA0dVmjljH2BwlYiYLMBi2BZaIfNuYTpZfesI1Wj0PEB630A/s3131/020A4525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="3131" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVmU9JfB2UX_5Zg965PcsS0mM75vBSYEmHoXSqbWgJLsjuPov9e4CvRDrn45qnusiHFw_jnKiUuQnZ7kaw55IRqYckhLl4lKxWAjg3vyOUvE9o7iYRTTWwgqnaRRvmI7dmSXJdU50KofA0dVmjljH2BwlYiYLMBi2BZaIfNuYTpZfesI1Wj0PEB630A/w640-h426/020A4525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was also a very real fear that if we stopped for any extended amount of time, we might not be able to keep going. A piece of sidewalk grafitti I had seen the day before came to mind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPBv0q5OhfmqRGnu7Ywa7guu0jUPO6AibcHnlXq8TxKaqfsM8Z0Ui7j1FYdJwN_PlbHuXGD1AxUob-MNGbdqv31l0n6IFuzvAbmpbRrQeQUqJThplzM7715KM3BUTyQgGTBoz3brVU4yk-Ei5d1IBHU_i9w1hofE9Op52CWqUBMZW5uQlwmmwj8Xj1Q/s4032/IMG_7219.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPBv0q5OhfmqRGnu7Ywa7guu0jUPO6AibcHnlXq8TxKaqfsM8Z0Ui7j1FYdJwN_PlbHuXGD1AxUob-MNGbdqv31l0n6IFuzvAbmpbRrQeQUqJThplzM7715KM3BUTyQgGTBoz3brVU4yk-Ei5d1IBHU_i9w1hofE9Op52CWqUBMZW5uQlwmmwj8Xj1Q/w400-h300/IMG_7219.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another factor was a navigational one. The Shorewalkers people had sent a map along with our numbered bibs, I had printed out point by point directions, there was a link to a google map...all things that would have helped immensely if I could stop and dig through 35 protein bars and 7 different size bandaids in my backpack to locate them or had working fingers to use my phone. None of that was happening, meaning we were at the mercy of whoever happened to be walking in front of us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that we were on the East side, it was no longer as simple as following the waterfront. Due to construction, there were turns, lot of them, which took us through the middle of the city. We sauntered through Harlem, past shopkeepers wondering why this mass of people was out strolling in this deluge. We turned left, right, up pedestrian bridges, across parking lots, all the while hoping that the people in front of us knew where they going. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A substantial portion of this part had us walking alongside a highway. There was a usually a waist-high wall protecting us from the speeding vehicles, but you know what the wall did not protect us from? Splashing. Now, I have long defended NY'ers against the stereotype that they are rude or discourteous. I think NY'er are wonderful, they just have stuff to do and don't always have time for foolishness. However, these fucking drivers... Had it happened once, maybe twice, I could tell myself that it was an accident, but no. These fucking drivers were intentionally speeding up through the puddles, causing walls of nasty muddy water to wash over the already beleaguered saunterers. It became a damn game of Frogger, trying to time one's crossing just so between vehicles and their aquatic onslaughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somewhere around the 20 mile mark, we entered into the upper east side. It was here that we saw the first spot where we could actually stop and sit for a bit. It was a Starbucks. Anyone who knows me is aware of my disdain for Starbucks. I feel like they push out small mom and pop coffee shops out in favor of generic corporate branding. My pet name for them is 'the evil empire'. I once had a boyfriend whose car broke down in a Starbucks parking lot. He called every single person in his phone for help before resigning himself to calling me and admitting that he was, in fact, at a Starbucks. Point is in any other circumstance, I would have railed against this particular stop. However, we had now been walking for seven hours straight, I was no longer sure if my sister was kidding with her repeated invocations of Uber rides and the thought of a warm beverage was too great a siren's song. We joined the multitude of saunterers warming themselves inside while applying bandages and changing socks. To their credit, if the baristas found this behavior strange, they did not let on, cheerfully directing people into separate bathroom and coffee lines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While in the bathroom line, I struck up a conversation with a weary looking woman. More to herself than to me, she said "I shouldn't quit, right?" I responded in kind, speaking to us both. I said "If you were going to quit, you should have done it at mile 5. Maybe mile 10. But you have made it all the way to mile 20. You are almost 2/3 of the way there. Quitting now doesn't even make sense." Somewhat energized by this, we finished the conversation with "See you at the finish line!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we rejoined the saunter, it was somehow even colder and wetter than before. My poncho, which had failed in so many of the roles of a poncho- mainly the keeping dry part- was now actively trying to kill me. The hood, which stubbornly refused to stay on my head, now kept spinning around to the front and blowing squarely onto my face. Trust me, you have not lived until you have been repeatedly blinded in the middle of the street by an angry poncho. Add the frantic struggle to get your arms free so you can maybe see where you are going and you have quite the show. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It got so frigid that I do not have a single photo from the east side. Not a one. The idea of taking my phone out and trying to work the camera with those numb fingers was enough to deter me, a serial photo taker. Yet, I can honestly say, on a certain level, I was truly enjoying this. Every mile that passed felt like a victory to me. If you would have asked me if I thought I could walk 25 miles under these circumstances, I would have said not a chance. Yet, here we were doing the most difficult saunter in the history of saunters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I tried to point this out to my sister, what a fantastic accomplishment this was, but she was operating on a different plane. She was being powered by anger. There was anger at the weather, at Cy A Adler and the mother that bore him and most likely at me, as well. When we passed a hero handing out oranges and announcing that we had only eight miles to go, I loudly "Woo Hoo'ed". Her response "Why the fuck are you woo hoo'ing, we thought it was six!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somewhere near the United Nations, a woman with the dulcet voice of Fran Drescher in the midst of an allergy attack, announced that she was joining us because the people that she had been walking with had quit. After a couple of minutes of her narration of doom "I'm cold, this is terrible, oh no, now we have to go uphill", it dawned on me that those people had most likely not quit but were instead enjoying a quiet saunter a couple of minutes behind us. The whole thing was too much for my sister, who was now power walking at a heretofore unseen speed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I feared things could get ugly when she asked a hero, giving directions near the lower east side, how much longer. Her response: "I'm not going to tell you that but you are close." That lady has no clue how close she came to getting smacked on the head with a gatorade bottle. The cause for her vague and troubling response was not revealed until the next day when Shorewalkers posted that due to all the construction-related reroutes, the saunter had actually ended up being 34 miles- 2 more than originally advertised!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon seeing the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge, I knew we were close. I cheerfully pointed this out but the guy we had been following for this portion of the walk was very precise with his language. When my sister fact checked my pronouncement, he would not concede that we were in fact close. It was not until we were blocks from Fraunces Tavern that he was willing to declare that we were truly close. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there it was, eleven hours later, the finish line!!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY655meqJDZRdP9pko-AJJ7wnd-otN-Pl4RFTOajo3gRJHz_Ry9zwe5mYHoS4pdMS3ly8JVOFR7pQySAQnGdhRZ0KQIUSdQZXntkmWVCYLCwh59CP5L6gANIj3nT9vX64obe7HLXfL8Q5JhJooSzBexixZdEzhaiCaqMoG99hb7Fg69XonheQ0byHwXA/s4032/IMG_7242.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY655meqJDZRdP9pko-AJJ7wnd-otN-Pl4RFTOajo3gRJHz_Ry9zwe5mYHoS4pdMS3ly8JVOFR7pQySAQnGdhRZ0KQIUSdQZXntkmWVCYLCwh59CP5L6gANIj3nT9vX64obe7HLXfL8Q5JhJooSzBexixZdEzhaiCaqMoG99hb7Fg69XonheQ0byHwXA/w480-h640/IMG_7242.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were heroes cheering us on, handing out certificates and taking countless pics of happy faces. We had done it!! In the end, 560 people completed the 34 mile soggy saunter and we were 2 of them!! As much as I wanted to go into the Tavern to have a celebratory drink, maybe check if the Starbucks lady had made it, the lure of dry clothes and a warm hotel room proved too tempting. The celebration was to take place at the downtown Marriott, where I and a no longer angry sister toasted our success with the mini bottles of bourbon I had packed along with all those snacks. But the where didn't matter, the fact was we had come, we had sauntered and we had conquered. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmvyKbJhtvLGxOA7E9jpYxzAsAz89sUIv0di2t36rYoNR-A-BP2tJC5JXS7CVzEyEp2KgASHRXXFPwCDtO3JzXoj4JQmdIUDHW0m_jFVyDd7y17AwkBXGVHGR3Z2eDuCWukmgSdz0w9V_dX_NUhou2XFWygN_gXiXkY5_xlICwLmFOVvWqLnlYqYowA/s4032/IMG_7243.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmvyKbJhtvLGxOA7E9jpYxzAsAz89sUIv0di2t36rYoNR-A-BP2tJC5JXS7CVzEyEp2KgASHRXXFPwCDtO3JzXoj4JQmdIUDHW0m_jFVyDd7y17AwkBXGVHGR3Z2eDuCWukmgSdz0w9V_dX_NUhou2XFWygN_gXiXkY5_xlICwLmFOVvWqLnlYqYowA/w480-h640/IMG_7243.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O_uMvzZ5ZlQqlPbSz6Mief8pbxTHM8-A0cGoEiPFXxFkhnn_5gpRfYgaXN-iu2gxc8B7Cxh4e168NqVmcDwZUBOhrIIKzd8VrV2oSgDwefeQS-aWu56VOFfeV86TGMmca0N87YHEXKIE0_McTaF2JZ9iP9Vv7TPCYdOAj5xd3O1XSVR10fSNTzCu_A/s4032/IMG_0331.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O_uMvzZ5ZlQqlPbSz6Mief8pbxTHM8-A0cGoEiPFXxFkhnn_5gpRfYgaXN-iu2gxc8B7Cxh4e168NqVmcDwZUBOhrIIKzd8VrV2oSgDwefeQS-aWu56VOFfeV86TGMmca0N87YHEXKIE0_McTaF2JZ9iP9Vv7TPCYdOAj5xd3O1XSVR10fSNTzCu_A/w480-h640/IMG_0331.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V9J4ikoNUXsTiUy3qEkF2O17aeSwIuvo9B8Q2tUaCZ9ttZ9QW5Fzv-wPNm1ZGIUIWnW8TWy7AsWHkkaHMX9Ukfao45rcQm7cUG-4cTmlK0YIe6t6UFI_HsjxkQIndcY1hUYWh4zywHxUpxeKMhze1vUAOv3KHy3DKztZpXfWc8zVrPijRLZnk_6mLQ/s2958/Attachment-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2958" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V9J4ikoNUXsTiUy3qEkF2O17aeSwIuvo9B8Q2tUaCZ9ttZ9QW5Fzv-wPNm1ZGIUIWnW8TWy7AsWHkkaHMX9Ukfao45rcQm7cUG-4cTmlK0YIe6t6UFI_HsjxkQIndcY1hUYWh4zywHxUpxeKMhze1vUAOv3KHy3DKztZpXfWc8zVrPijRLZnk_6mLQ/w640-h426/Attachment-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXMLjf9COwgmnHetKjUyMJ7cr6caPznkTmgCMDZhG4Vhmf7LnVdnNfl1M08MzQFNY0uTNqFzEuG415X3io85E0EzCnDGFpZQySvI6GhRxNKywLFlgYvVMe-0gdzX1VSHquSymY3M_XGunuLvBNvoc9eqZeeFiQrLOzicMWJYbL27P1aZH1JVWuwyKKA/s4032/IMG_7246.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXMLjf9COwgmnHetKjUyMJ7cr6caPznkTmgCMDZhG4Vhmf7LnVdnNfl1M08MzQFNY0uTNqFzEuG415X3io85E0EzCnDGFpZQySvI6GhRxNKywLFlgYvVMe-0gdzX1VSHquSymY3M_XGunuLvBNvoc9eqZeeFiQrLOzicMWJYbL27P1aZH1JVWuwyKKA/w640-h480/IMG_7246.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anyone interested in doing this next year, hit me up. Assuming the weather is better (note- short of hail and locusts, it can't actually be worse), I'm putting together a Saunter Squad and plan on doing it all over again. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajdoXgXCNbu1lG0S_40tEC-SbDjeB2NGXzvN1askWiTTIc_Hpjgg_qmR5wfAHbVRsiwRe7JUVvakVi_jABxwmi7DX5yVvLy2ceKPrLeQ6bFvUC5wstItzqUGJjU6F5-dFnKsbQrJFen_nCTPgT7WX1ZtKhfKYe6oezsG76K4fwxpimxhogi5N3YseOw/s2532/IMG_7247.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajdoXgXCNbu1lG0S_40tEC-SbDjeB2NGXzvN1askWiTTIc_Hpjgg_qmR5wfAHbVRsiwRe7JUVvakVi_jABxwmi7DX5yVvLy2ceKPrLeQ6bFvUC5wstItzqUGJjU6F5-dFnKsbQrJFen_nCTPgT7WX1ZtKhfKYe6oezsG76K4fwxpimxhogi5N3YseOw/w296-h640/IMG_7247.PNG" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253410676198532324.post-75620072885061441472020-01-18T16:13:00.004-05:002021-02-19T16:18:11.411-05:00I want Kandy: A tale of Trains, Teeth and Haunted Hotels<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ6d3sWLWa9INrIFO1NMAtZGo4TkWSFAFu-vzxsrVuB7_IEnyWRn7Eyba799QbGGsuZpJFQqf7dedbnI6YIxaNAKL2moyR_ENZJga4V9eBpWK1n-8cLyvDA_6w_Z198RuvYieebdMrBEt/s2048/fullsizeoutput_888b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ6d3sWLWa9INrIFO1NMAtZGo4TkWSFAFu-vzxsrVuB7_IEnyWRn7Eyba799QbGGsuZpJFQqf7dedbnI6YIxaNAKL2moyR_ENZJga4V9eBpWK1n-8cLyvDA_6w_Z198RuvYieebdMrBEt/s320/fullsizeoutput_888b.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Public transportation rocks. I love me a subway, bus or train ride. You don't have to worry about driving, you are free to read or knit or do whatever it is you enjoy doing on your free time and at the end, assuming you got on the correct conveyance, you are at your destination. If said mode of transportation is world famous for its scenic properties, all the better. In this case, I am referring to the journey between Ella and Kandy, considered one of the <a href="https://nerdnomads.com/sri-lanka-train-travel-ella-kandy">world's most beautiful train trips</a>. While researching things to do in Sri Lanka, you could be forgiven for thinking that this ride is the only thing the country has to offer. That's how often it comes up, along with a myriad of articles about how to get tickets on the oft sold out train. If you have seen an IG pic of some some lithe young thing hanging out the side of an old locomotive that is barreling through lush green countrysides (note: you have seen some version of this pic, I assure you), you have seen the Ella-Kandy train. It's a famous voyage, is my point.</div></div><span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So it goes without saying that FOMO goes to Sri Lanka had to do this. I think I may have booked the train ticket before I even booked the actual flight, which is a bit problematic for a couple of reasons. For starters, I was now locked into a date I had to be in Ella, which thankfully did not become an issue but is a very typical overplanner concern. The bigger snafu was that only the first class compartment could be pre-booked, which on its face may not sound so bad. However, part of what is cool about these long train rides (7 hours in this case) is the chance to hang out with locals and partake of all the goodies sold by food vendors that jump on at the many stops. Sadly, neither local nor vendor make it onto the first class compartment. It is a hermetically sealed tourist caravan, albeit a very nice one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gN8T7ulLbVHhU7ZyDCTuHh8RoCuPH46vS8yBuCoGGwx6sJj78N1s8En7YjKXo2MrVxPgvsytAmCdTaN4FzPu164MjpUNLWTfkO0xrt2EV6ULD0fjp95Rk-ZpN4X1KM6tzKu3_DEkikje/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8876.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gN8T7ulLbVHhU7ZyDCTuHh8RoCuPH46vS8yBuCoGGwx6sJj78N1s8En7YjKXo2MrVxPgvsytAmCdTaN4FzPu164MjpUNLWTfkO0xrt2EV6ULD0fjp95Rk-ZpN4X1KM6tzKu3_DEkikje/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8876.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I got...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ_zm5Yhly0JVONblrSjtXvntCl_OJHNEwkUVgyo19S2Ral8jpnWhfByohDhzFqlhkR01LGAfR3u99UYKToOH-4zPlZHA-GtEsVqQ3fT1FaQY96vqLuZHpRNOwpf8GolKPvWZnKQr8gqj/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8878.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ_zm5Yhly0JVONblrSjtXvntCl_OJHNEwkUVgyo19S2Ral8jpnWhfByohDhzFqlhkR01LGAfR3u99UYKToOH-4zPlZHA-GtEsVqQ3fT1FaQY96vqLuZHpRNOwpf8GolKPvWZnKQr8gqj/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8878.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I wanted...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The good news is that even the boujee brigade passes through the same stunning countryside. The route through lush rolling tea plantations is not coincidental. The Brits built this railway in order to transport those beloved tea leaves.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18hyphenhyphenk1X8B5rDRiGs355ZKARHhhAc_-NK2_6GHlciKLazkKUgNIpdLj8tLEEz_6XuavxqAPCpikU1bW7zXMajKNiLOsydrS0RH0yZDZTH1EWMa1mE1zwugi8Qbjr_UGokFYforCJrNMlUF/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8883.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18hyphenhyphenk1X8B5rDRiGs355ZKARHhhAc_-NK2_6GHlciKLazkKUgNIpdLj8tLEEz_6XuavxqAPCpikU1bW7zXMajKNiLOsydrS0RH0yZDZTH1EWMa1mE1zwugi8Qbjr_UGokFYforCJrNMlUF/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8883.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNDQAINcLeeSVlNiQblTCQ2Rf7L2l9zChUa4dnVO2vF8vPvRv14J8JnylkPPvBj5ep1Akf-qcExxSmJQLG-4oHyBLfejO7TX2x6sfocFyIdbriL-DGptDsVSEKUhR7imhejXjcZ_OOCWt/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8885.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNDQAINcLeeSVlNiQblTCQ2Rf7L2l9zChUa4dnVO2vF8vPvRv14J8JnylkPPvBj5ep1Akf-qcExxSmJQLG-4oHyBLfejO7TX2x6sfocFyIdbriL-DGptDsVSEKUhR7imhejXjcZ_OOCWt/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8885.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That railway may be the best thing the Brits did for the country of Sri Lanka. It's not only a fairly efficient means of transportation (when it's running on time) but it truly is a stunning ride. </div><div><br /></div><div>You would think that after a couple of hours, the scenery would become old. I mean how many undulating ridges can one ooh and aah at before it becomes a cause for concern? Turns out the answer is: a lot. The endless varieties of the color green alone is reason for celebration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50eiqiEFU74Gdqf2zbUaqBWTlACx_ACkJuCi7Hm79hvGPFnN4S7eX6ABsVi0NojDw8gelxyhGZmNzD3-CZIwn2dxMu0_DbqxSJdU4e5ccohQQn_wbXPcJIqkXXidoWKVaoMk1Isfdo6jM/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8891.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50eiqiEFU74Gdqf2zbUaqBWTlACx_ACkJuCi7Hm79hvGPFnN4S7eX6ABsVi0NojDw8gelxyhGZmNzD3-CZIwn2dxMu0_DbqxSJdU4e5ccohQQn_wbXPcJIqkXXidoWKVaoMk1Isfdo6jM/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8891.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmfaxB6ML1m6V1HluK-yOB3QzJN1bTeoHZlIZcSjfCkpWB3K7ehEIczFTckgAhOgJg4WseqBNJnsY-ZkagOXaXwDoWMhaw7y8V9WROOQ5r8mquhM6LFwoBawCsaVYaLofdmEDBPqZOW8O/s2048/fullsizeoutput_887b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmfaxB6ML1m6V1HluK-yOB3QzJN1bTeoHZlIZcSjfCkpWB3K7ehEIczFTckgAhOgJg4WseqBNJnsY-ZkagOXaXwDoWMhaw7y8V9WROOQ5r8mquhM6LFwoBawCsaVYaLofdmEDBPqZOW8O/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_887b.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZojOrzxbYHBZTQ7_ga7dLXF75X3RGz1RztsGHl4oQSeQPiOhNWrzmb5ZJr2KtPI7s3krwNxS24TYSZ8MBJJbyRFvaEYv2t9CWSq9zOixVJ12vDHfVvJwn7w1r5owTcPKHVwOksPhBX969/s2048/fullsizeoutput_887c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZojOrzxbYHBZTQ7_ga7dLXF75X3RGz1RztsGHl4oQSeQPiOhNWrzmb5ZJr2KtPI7s3krwNxS24TYSZ8MBJJbyRFvaEYv2t9CWSq9zOixVJ12vDHfVvJwn7w1r5owTcPKHVwOksPhBX969/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_887c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>If I'm being honest, the disappointment of being secluded in the 1st class car was somewhat ameliorated by the wifi, electrical outlets at each seat and excellent service providing a steady supply of ice cold Lion beers.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46l5UcL6rxoLEX39XA8dIze8mBsUGKogFFXAOrck3suB5jFx1lLMxi0HOJVci70XWYyPybHm9aOP_7qX1yUW1v0sWrwB6As0qa0YAmJcKcPyVskoBK5L44gdCrxH790z_lsnTj6-SPj73/s2048/fullsizeoutput_887e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46l5UcL6rxoLEX39XA8dIze8mBsUGKogFFXAOrck3suB5jFx1lLMxi0HOJVci70XWYyPybHm9aOP_7qX1yUW1v0sWrwB6As0qa0YAmJcKcPyVskoBK5L44gdCrxH790z_lsnTj6-SPj73/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_887e.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRQOScEju1DDXm9-pIEuCsgy0hAt5A1489lxru3f9tlvN8nkcj5bhx7__3x5J5chKvD5WoJAl1UPH-lvYFcfU9mzXOzqG3vmClhuDnLHw_EAPHYVh6T4P2jYE_HcWv7eB32tZKu5fNA75/s2048/fullsizeoutput_887f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRQOScEju1DDXm9-pIEuCsgy0hAt5A1489lxru3f9tlvN8nkcj5bhx7__3x5J5chKvD5WoJAl1UPH-lvYFcfU9mzXOzqG3vmClhuDnLHw_EAPHYVh6T4P2jYE_HcWv7eB32tZKu5fNA75/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_887f.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-O_74ThxafEqhKColv9QwSAeBtGjIjumirWWGsQYevPeKMN1pn3ATdRG8QGmeiPwwbQJf1D17V1WfWwCLFUFyElLWMif09RBuPCBdjO05nccALGIxH_mza6eFeKhfXftdHMbOo8KOsyp/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8186.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-O_74ThxafEqhKColv9QwSAeBtGjIjumirWWGsQYevPeKMN1pn3ATdRG8QGmeiPwwbQJf1D17V1WfWwCLFUFyElLWMif09RBuPCBdjO05nccALGIxH_mza6eFeKhfXftdHMbOo8KOsyp/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8186.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RC_vdy8w53KLlhD3je-nJC9D0RllSyGhIIlMZyJZPP6FeUElNwwIlGZiJNgYnqeY-GYvP_HvRvnsuY0X_ODCx3-98lIdO1XcK6N0Yw1lRABaHjvkEe4gczTqsSedLReanavOPVbm5nSP/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8af8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RC_vdy8w53KLlhD3je-nJC9D0RllSyGhIIlMZyJZPP6FeUElNwwIlGZiJNgYnqeY-GYvP_HvRvnsuY0X_ODCx3-98lIdO1XcK6N0Yw1lRABaHjvkEe4gczTqsSedLReanavOPVbm5nSP/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8af8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The air-conditioned car was nice too, considering I had read about the sweltering heat in the other compartments. Unfortunately, the cost of this was that the doors remained closed and the windows did not open. This and this alone was the only thing that stood between me and a lucrative career as an IG influencer. How could I get my dangling out of the train shot under these conditions?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The answer was to enlist the help of one of the waiters. At one of the stops, he and I ran off the 1st class compartment and back onto the next car (there is no connecting door between the two so this is the only way). Once there, he stood at one open doorway as I leaned out the next one. This took a couple of minutes and then we just kind of hung out until we got to the next stop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I still may have been doing it wrong. I later heard stories from someone who watched as a group of girls changed through a variety of outfits to maximize their train photo shoot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9_iKbjDkCch_Sg4L3APLedAXFeTGW2taGIW60fU82LaebYns0xv8ulS0S2HfChmyq2uBFzpHt26Xlj4oNgR1gd033MIQM82GXy0zpgzoxaGtnp2MhulbcD25IUS0sZXYspGKrFFGBCwi/s2048/fullsizeoutput_815e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9_iKbjDkCch_Sg4L3APLedAXFeTGW2taGIW60fU82LaebYns0xv8ulS0S2HfChmyq2uBFzpHt26Xlj4oNgR1gd033MIQM82GXy0zpgzoxaGtnp2MhulbcD25IUS0sZXYspGKrFFGBCwi/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_815e.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I arrived late in the evening and was picked up at the station by someone sent from my hostel. The<a href="https://hiranya-mountain-view-hostel-kandy.booked.net/"> Hiranya Mountain View hostel </a>was a bit outside of the center of town but compensated by being run by the loveliest couple. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the moment I checked in, they were always on hand to offer a cup of tea or provide advice in planning out my stay. If I have one regret from this entire trip, it was that I did not think to record the scene that I witnessed in this home. On day 2, I came back around dusk to find the soft-spoken gentleman who had welcomed me the night before, grunting and wearing some kind of monkey mask whilst running from window to window in his kitchen. I stood in stunned silence, not knowing whether to join him or flee into the streets with the actual monkeys that were returning home after a long day of whatever it is that they do. I did neither. Once this interpretative dance was over, he explained that the only thing keeping the monkeys from over running his home was their belief that there was a bigger crazier primate living therein. Everyday at sun-up and sundown, he recreated this display. I personally prefer to believe that the monkeys know exactly what is happening but are so enthralled with these performances that they have chosen to just play along. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOao6SfdXlC3kdYkJNdxcE0QzQvkfRS0byyRLYTeEE3KiyLiB6fFCJeRo8avZAIFQOVkpeGlJNUFss_mlo2RRAPyPiJQ07KGGoaYA3Q7He6uEJzeomIcmUUggniSFszM-Pyqz__xDUtESV/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8afa.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOao6SfdXlC3kdYkJNdxcE0QzQvkfRS0byyRLYTeEE3KiyLiB6fFCJeRo8avZAIFQOVkpeGlJNUFss_mlo2RRAPyPiJQ07KGGoaYA3Q7He6uEJzeomIcmUUggniSFszM-Pyqz__xDUtESV/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8afa.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I began my first day with a visit to the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue. It stands (or sits) a bit outside of town and has steps leading up to the top, providing a great view of the city. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj105sCo9Aojv6Olvf9XCs9hj7v3Zrb94xnLYCyY5pBVVngzumsME9S7IoOTjntFiDldCyl2Pxbkfryt3F8OZpiMXxUfi_V20qKaTd-DzebEqTwq-63ETI0QVr0PxtJamXmX_Qf2S9SpR7R/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b68.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj105sCo9Aojv6Olvf9XCs9hj7v3Zrb94xnLYCyY5pBVVngzumsME9S7IoOTjntFiDldCyl2Pxbkfryt3F8OZpiMXxUfi_V20qKaTd-DzebEqTwq-63ETI0QVr0PxtJamXmX_Qf2S9SpR7R/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8b68.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK74rc-cbgfXu-SoLZQ7N3g08MmCi3-Pili-Sf6dKiMzkbXN4zIGnJqRaYwdvhlT2Twa4Nnz2OG0HZ65Fx7n9uqRI-ZumLxhvWZ0n3-gdPBjh-PTkaydRWmiFQq3hRo5gVWs1d02X7xEYv/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8af9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK74rc-cbgfXu-SoLZQ7N3g08MmCi3-Pili-Sf6dKiMzkbXN4zIGnJqRaYwdvhlT2Twa4Nnz2OG0HZ65Fx7n9uqRI-ZumLxhvWZ0n3-gdPBjh-PTkaydRWmiFQq3hRo5gVWs1d02X7xEYv/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8af9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6M_Uv9L65OG1uv2tdkvkem7r4eFbKukucBV7xwJgQZlgqPbAkRdeTXLuQKPNmSJDkCyMm148P8yxhxlcBNslZpnzWuLlURHig5QeUqB2qmDfJi0rwvsILzLpkmnyMz1Kk1SWpPg8YTBe/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8afb.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6M_Uv9L65OG1uv2tdkvkem7r4eFbKukucBV7xwJgQZlgqPbAkRdeTXLuQKPNmSJDkCyMm148P8yxhxlcBNslZpnzWuLlURHig5QeUqB2qmDfJi0rwvsILzLpkmnyMz1Kk1SWpPg8YTBe/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8afb.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lovely as it was, the truth is that I was at the Buddha killing time. I had gotten up early and it was not yet tooth time. What is tooth time, you ask. Good question. I was waiting for the hour when the line opened up to make offerings to the holy tooth. Still unclear? So.... Kandy's main attraction is Sri Dalada Maligawa, better known as the Temple of the Tooth. This UNESCO world heritage site is believed to be in possession of a tooth that previously resided with the head of Lord Gautama Buddha. The story of how it got here is long and convoluted but it involves someone snatching the molar from the Buddha's funeral pyre in India, which you would think would be a major bad luck thing. A princess then smuggled the tooth into Sri Lanka and it was somehow decided that much like a magical sceptre, whoever held the tooth also held the political power. The temple was built, it was attacked, the tooth was moved, the tooth returned, another temple was built and here we are. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, this is now a major pilgrimage site and people line up three times a day to present their offerings to the tooth. Mind you, they don't actually see inspired incisor, only its gold enclosure, but it is still very much a thing. I was not there to present an offering because (a) I am not Buddhist (b) the line was super long and (c) what do you get the tooth that has everything but I did very much want to watch the spectacle. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E1crLvhP88ytlOXDDr7LbK49DAC0M9cbgUst6VPPoy97MFo-CJTOWT1xKIH9prtLjrMbUddRiGc3jACZp-VitZc91vcs-PMfUUNfNCaBBV1klizzxOw45o4IyQEWVDOVURukcvrAJ6Tn/s2048/0NWyd4LHQ6qyWxKL1mp30A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E1crLvhP88ytlOXDDr7LbK49DAC0M9cbgUst6VPPoy97MFo-CJTOWT1xKIH9prtLjrMbUddRiGc3jACZp-VitZc91vcs-PMfUUNfNCaBBV1klizzxOw45o4IyQEWVDOVURukcvrAJ6Tn/w480-h640/0NWyd4LHQ6qyWxKL1mp30A.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NjG_LXdyqv8IAFazE4lnmZAVbQF3F8_DnutFmfZBlfuupY3FMBKkK4jJPgafllqwc8QvhEhiRcx1gxK8C1zCO_RiMkpyay6Vu_C5L-_N52_6iq9e6qKaLeMCga40oKrWqiBMDY4ar2PM/s2048/fullsizeoutput_81a9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NjG_LXdyqv8IAFazE4lnmZAVbQF3F8_DnutFmfZBlfuupY3FMBKkK4jJPgafllqwc8QvhEhiRcx1gxK8C1zCO_RiMkpyay6Vu_C5L-_N52_6iq9e6qKaLeMCga40oKrWqiBMDY4ar2PM/w536-h640/fullsizeoutput_81a9.jpeg" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When it is not time for the offering, this window is closed and it is not possible to see the dental reliquary.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhRD6CimrOQjnHdIqCvQLw04Tz_HQxZLNOj-x4eVYPTVE28mm-FdmSd_HwTPL7vvkXd4-3P3nsxhl-RjVwDckJHwsi51Gf6WKO6_H9X30StFjrxlVVjiyC4rcMGY5DoDoMKjhJlPWqpw4/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8afc.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhRD6CimrOQjnHdIqCvQLw04Tz_HQxZLNOj-x4eVYPTVE28mm-FdmSd_HwTPL7vvkXd4-3P3nsxhl-RjVwDckJHwsi51Gf6WKO6_H9X30StFjrxlVVjiyC4rcMGY5DoDoMKjhJlPWqpw4/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8afc.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Because of the size of the complex and the level of activity therein, I hired a guide to make sure I did not miss anything. He expertly led me both through and around crowds, all while explaining the tooth's significance. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw1dWjzIKLul_Faq2KqTZndYonFAvU3gYcqdYywJ1i3wTuxEzHwycCSe1Ge_RvngFHWLV_VDj12lWawhb8KbkwkkDFSuM2fOPRixXhZ_pQGcOnWcNYOp4yBdU79lwRmFXxoZ91w7GiA_d/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8afd.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw1dWjzIKLul_Faq2KqTZndYonFAvU3gYcqdYywJ1i3wTuxEzHwycCSe1Ge_RvngFHWLV_VDj12lWawhb8KbkwkkDFSuM2fOPRixXhZ_pQGcOnWcNYOp4yBdU79lwRmFXxoZ91w7GiA_d/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8afd.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4gyAsrHPnu4Ozxf77ok7n1KHluV1Vkw5tqFFXfgU86fIV5iHmIrbtTSYN3-XAQhztHZJyesy4zBaWZrf_rAwSmm_iQmFBPbQk0-y1WUdWB0TBCpFdNfAYWnbP3DZE7TWIwRimaA3jR0_/s2048/fullsizeoutput_81a8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4gyAsrHPnu4Ozxf77ok7n1KHluV1Vkw5tqFFXfgU86fIV5iHmIrbtTSYN3-XAQhztHZJyesy4zBaWZrf_rAwSmm_iQmFBPbQk0-y1WUdWB0TBCpFdNfAYWnbP3DZE7TWIwRimaA3jR0_/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_81a8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is a separate hall with a collection of donated Buddhas, classrooms and even a small museum displaying the taxidermied remains of an elephant who was once responsible for carrying the holy tooth during ceremonial processions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrP4GDiS2oyR2W-WwlKkh4oM5j6Rtg-5p4L6Y_BOnxAhdBinZ4ihYYmVwQb7m7g_e3mvd_ZWOuRDgXrLYblZaIb1d-N7VFi1ufzja-ote-FbzwoaYTYeZfx16mcaL_fswjng7QeXHxjrn/s2048/DLjqjmPaTgyrbfAZGvOw6Q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrP4GDiS2oyR2W-WwlKkh4oM5j6Rtg-5p4L6Y_BOnxAhdBinZ4ihYYmVwQb7m7g_e3mvd_ZWOuRDgXrLYblZaIb1d-N7VFi1ufzja-ote-FbzwoaYTYeZfx16mcaL_fswjng7QeXHxjrn/w640-h480/DLjqjmPaTgyrbfAZGvOw6Q.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME1ZEm9PVEtnh8uXLVc4_zjaDouBUNfeyegyDOPqxoRr8Itd4MQmEO60YnGw5zi48VsK1jrVF1k8ZRtsjuOwEZ6CzYtWW2VgNNRKbRKQQiGvCGba1DRuH8_ilcJ9Kn5FZpYUadgrY73ZT/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8afe.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME1ZEm9PVEtnh8uXLVc4_zjaDouBUNfeyegyDOPqxoRr8Itd4MQmEO60YnGw5zi48VsK1jrVF1k8ZRtsjuOwEZ6CzYtWW2VgNNRKbRKQQiGvCGba1DRuH8_ilcJ9Kn5FZpYUadgrY73ZT/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8afe.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cZGo_wZLmyVmsm84CFvA6w7XVG6byWLxHWPlI7SAlJfGgUznx3R_zEXyrM9Cpe_AM8dTYLSvB23Tswt_6IPYMYCh55re92RMnHq-uGwPLLz2paAQUJNfot809J8InM9UFLIciNOxQ_UM/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8aff.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cZGo_wZLmyVmsm84CFvA6w7XVG6byWLxHWPlI7SAlJfGgUznx3R_zEXyrM9Cpe_AM8dTYLSvB23Tswt_6IPYMYCh55re92RMnHq-uGwPLLz2paAQUJNfot809J8InM9UFLIciNOxQ_UM/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8aff.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkSeoDiva4BVJniTgpshXMSgOKOVXZDEH2Xx6sfFY3yHpK6fq9cnunyRaes_xVX2k-Y3CXdtkpXtj2Hqc_oV4L3_DCPD2A5E97rkQ_CfDWQrJ8K9WuzIP1rfd73YOfwiD-2pK6qDKZ-ct/s2048/fullsizeoutput_81a7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkSeoDiva4BVJniTgpshXMSgOKOVXZDEH2Xx6sfFY3yHpK6fq9cnunyRaes_xVX2k-Y3CXdtkpXtj2Hqc_oV4L3_DCPD2A5E97rkQ_CfDWQrJ8K9WuzIP1rfd73YOfwiD-2pK6qDKZ-ct/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_81a7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFoozCvNC64XG5eBzPp6NBkxD7t71vqMM_lWpc5SlxtjceY8lrLNSg4wUeii-c_mUaADVLvix_39ZsslF_k2ZMIy7Vf0t1fOX9OrysAdf3wpICUNAHIlclhfLp24ig724N6fyZVqirvJe/s2048/y%2525xN%2525lGVTeqaMP5Uug%252B8lA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFoozCvNC64XG5eBzPp6NBkxD7t71vqMM_lWpc5SlxtjceY8lrLNSg4wUeii-c_mUaADVLvix_39ZsslF_k2ZMIy7Vf0t1fOX9OrysAdf3wpICUNAHIlclhfLp24ig724N6fyZVqirvJe/w480-h640/y%2525xN%2525lGVTeqaMP5Uug%252B8lA.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div>But without question, the tooth is the star of the show. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once you have visited the tooth temple, your options in Kandy become somewhat limited. I had already visited a tea factory in Ella so that was out and the elephant "sanctuary" seemed ethically dubious so instead I just wandered around town.</div><div><br /></div><div>In doing so, I encountered a surprising amount of street art, most of it very recent and was able to catch a good number of artists are work.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoXy7DSKrpxnMzZ2VM5zlLR5-2JLq6xYlFBO6ubcFJrPNBBzY-b78FiZTEiZUvcYsFjavuBbNVdg3M-dqUEuWWK6Ezzi-AzDGjLCsW7PUnofCPpY0FGfsja0HVFArpyfAZG4ngoNSiao2/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b00.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoXy7DSKrpxnMzZ2VM5zlLR5-2JLq6xYlFBO6ubcFJrPNBBzY-b78FiZTEiZUvcYsFjavuBbNVdg3M-dqUEuWWK6Ezzi-AzDGjLCsW7PUnofCPpY0FGfsja0HVFArpyfAZG4ngoNSiao2/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b00.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5DWZhIExnlZNAYHBA8Dz-xlN6VkXxTpefOVTdZhcybCc3XKzB5gshC2fgCsljkM6WQtRVuPT-Fj2MBG7IvPOP1Vy5Zm5CTJcvLGOPpklldLTlZM95oXFFO8MqXdQBmH2vD8FEy2Ei_u/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5DWZhIExnlZNAYHBA8Dz-xlN6VkXxTpefOVTdZhcybCc3XKzB5gshC2fgCsljkM6WQtRVuPT-Fj2MBG7IvPOP1Vy5Zm5CTJcvLGOPpklldLTlZM95oXFFO8MqXdQBmH2vD8FEy2Ei_u/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9ixJT_UBLl0tvjhjjCe88KuNz8KRBYCzXgMJMr645W1bh_53zQRV9MNiimABN-s6bl7p_GTmnybpIlkIud6Y0bgeZIS5mppg9MOlAxnk8-Xd2IPsvosM00uFn3zhdhW-CWic3fNF-3fl/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b03.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9ixJT_UBLl0tvjhjjCe88KuNz8KRBYCzXgMJMr645W1bh_53zQRV9MNiimABN-s6bl7p_GTmnybpIlkIud6Y0bgeZIS5mppg9MOlAxnk8-Xd2IPsvosM00uFn3zhdhW-CWic3fNF-3fl/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b03.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmafEE6EQqauMCRU7gTv0jhtrgAfMJ_9TmiZfitJRTspLaNytONTmPlYgjhCy7FT_cMXCHMIB2l6q58pu9BLqwGsBiZ7XO8Adco5tsd6P-3YSL4PCJrSLZ1KaWY48kcBpsYD0t67WZ79E/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b04.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmafEE6EQqauMCRU7gTv0jhtrgAfMJ_9TmiZfitJRTspLaNytONTmPlYgjhCy7FT_cMXCHMIB2l6q58pu9BLqwGsBiZ7XO8Adco5tsd6P-3YSL4PCJrSLZ1KaWY48kcBpsYD0t67WZ79E/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b04.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These wanderings led me to Arthur's seat, which is not so much a seat as it is a viewing platform with a nice view of the Lake and the aforementioned tooth temple. I'd been walking all day so I sat for a bit enjoying the view. While simultaneously relaxing and politely shooing away the phalanx of souvenir salesmen that surround all visitors, I pulled out my Lonely Planet to see if there was anything I had missed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS2lA9goiKvF95BtilZFwlaVtafoHtVFPjFDJHnCHwAQxm8708K8YBz_ttbTcdRKGImYc6mH-thzCYkXGE0mgns2DDs8sDY22tjCDzFEojdECjexsbQMFVH8_YCWMHt8iPJn2CH75ITAQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b06.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS2lA9goiKvF95BtilZFwlaVtafoHtVFPjFDJHnCHwAQxm8708K8YBz_ttbTcdRKGImYc6mH-thzCYkXGE0mgns2DDs8sDY22tjCDzFEojdECjexsbQMFVH8_YCWMHt8iPJn2CH75ITAQ/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b06.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I saw a blurb about <a href="https://www.helgasfolly.com/">Helga's Folly</a>, a colorful hotel ensconced within the nearby jungle. It sounded cool and was probably not big with the 999 t-shirt vendors that were presently surrounding me. I hopped in a tuk-tuk and off we went.</div><div><br /></div><div>You ever catch the first sight of something and realize "Oh, this is going to be good"? This was like that. It was a krazy kitschy kool explosion in the middle of nowhere. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTa8yr6lC1btQCVIhAu3nUXTZP8rphybRzoqaEuOSTG137a3Cav1LqeoGj4H8YFQ114D4PvAr2TN1QAnlRhaUcogchCk3nuLS7ZhIAoIOjSvKWOhzbLw2WSi0lyDe16PM3REfSMePcKWl/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0f.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTa8yr6lC1btQCVIhAu3nUXTZP8rphybRzoqaEuOSTG137a3Cav1LqeoGj4H8YFQ114D4PvAr2TN1QAnlRhaUcogchCk3nuLS7ZhIAoIOjSvKWOhzbLw2WSi0lyDe16PM3REfSMePcKWl/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b0f.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wandered in, fully expecting to find guests and staff mingling about, only that was not the case. I saw no one. At all. So I roamed from room to room, each one more elaborate than the one before, wondering where everyone had gone. </div><div><br /></div><div>The place smelled moldy and there were random noises so for sure there were ghosts but where were the live folks?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdgZNL-ktKDPcIap7NR8rVTP0YOsgmMHElX19KSBCPKjRGvihGu49jdIkVoEQVwclevb9J1BG0cS_Xbr6Gfsl5j8r9lfOMrLN6fAPPm5by09Z_GrrQvzuo56y4_B0xmEBspl9tKc1nLjW/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdgZNL-ktKDPcIap7NR8rVTP0YOsgmMHElX19KSBCPKjRGvihGu49jdIkVoEQVwclevb9J1BG0cS_Xbr6Gfsl5j8r9lfOMrLN6fAPPm5by09Z_GrrQvzuo56y4_B0xmEBspl9tKc1nLjW/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b0a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FbixGopwcHRW-utMFS54mRodAJlSc-r-L88Q_pZFkOETRIap_qTmgcZHu43BnNmS-FbjGrImGYpLKy91lbyNuDOH4MseLJ7TilmBPl0eCJYWOiMXW9V3yL7xnFTr_kcwkQFkHwZvPQBo/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FbixGopwcHRW-utMFS54mRodAJlSc-r-L88Q_pZFkOETRIap_qTmgcZHu43BnNmS-FbjGrImGYpLKy91lbyNuDOH4MseLJ7TilmBPl0eCJYWOiMXW9V3yL7xnFTr_kcwkQFkHwZvPQBo/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8b0b.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At one point, I must have tripped off a sensor because this completely insane old-timey music started playing. Like straight up American Horror Story/ victrola sounding madness. It both annoyed me and intrigued me that I was surely going to meet my end in this wackadoo hotel. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE3P2Cja0tgHfJpMHo97w3fZQLJYUCsEhlWa-I26nGEaIrFfG808Hjcke4mgO8uitgFsdQPmnGk6fyCqv0wQgPX_VSqGWcvA0qu_Pnuu-_sEg2qTNtZFsqgEi3IA8YnMflc7uOpv15_5_/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE3P2Cja0tgHfJpMHo97w3fZQLJYUCsEhlWa-I26nGEaIrFfG808Hjcke4mgO8uitgFsdQPmnGk6fyCqv0wQgPX_VSqGWcvA0qu_Pnuu-_sEg2qTNtZFsqgEi3IA8YnMflc7uOpv15_5_/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b0c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq2pWuU_Z816bxfCgkH_foYC2AoUiy6ZDKnMt4Lx3zg33HcxiHuRDDRv1Rc2Lag_xMoCpzKFgWSGLZmUEwhtlndyUIFHjckpUoWrNqp-V04UT18zU4d77-f3Dk9mZLh1YKA7BxSTHNPEQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq2pWuU_Z816bxfCgkH_foYC2AoUiy6ZDKnMt4Lx3zg33HcxiHuRDDRv1Rc2Lag_xMoCpzKFgWSGLZmUEwhtlndyUIFHjckpUoWrNqp-V04UT18zU4d77-f3Dk9mZLh1YKA7BxSTHNPEQ/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b0d.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At that moment, a caretaker appeared. At least, I think he was real. He told me about the proprietress, an eccentric thrice widowed socialite who used the place as her personal doodle pad. He explained that due to the recent loss of tourism in Sri Lanka, the hotel had no guests at the moment, which contrasted dramatically with its past, when the hotel had played host to Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivian Leigh, Gregory Peck and a bunch of other A-list celebs who were probably the ones playing the creepy-ass music. More recently, the hotel's unique delirious charms had inspired the Stereophonics to write <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjJVDtKJYfc">Madame Helga</a> about the woman who made this all possible. Sample lyrics:</div></div><div><br /></div><div>She's been married not once</div><div>Not twice, but three</div><div>And that's the livin' lovin' woman</div><div>I want me to be</div><div>There were pictures and paintings</div><div>Of freaks like me</div><div>So I drank with my devil</div><div>For my company</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm-iQTaRu68HwjT8mtCvsodKSxZ3E6bgfL2WYJgx10lbs5sjuMUoxoKkuu-t45qsc7-PdOWKQ2IWSTfoNuMuZ-rjAK-fpFYiguV12NX_q1FDImEi00QsomvDwXuuZ4GvVn5jtTuNLAfCL/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b0e.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm-iQTaRu68HwjT8mtCvsodKSxZ3E6bgfL2WYJgx10lbs5sjuMUoxoKkuu-t45qsc7-PdOWKQ2IWSTfoNuMuZ-rjAK-fpFYiguV12NX_q1FDImEi00QsomvDwXuuZ4GvVn5jtTuNLAfCL/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_8b0e.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I673BsbNZ07sEbrcXTzIbm5JCPmsArtk9_m2utAqcUvyfviTct06HLIimYpg1rSiXmbafOXXbu-13UpwJOVZLY0MyplM148Tyd6THg4vOo6JQY09UIpl6UZW_b2ofMe3izRBtkMl3Ie9/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b07.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I673BsbNZ07sEbrcXTzIbm5JCPmsArtk9_m2utAqcUvyfviTct06HLIimYpg1rSiXmbafOXXbu-13UpwJOVZLY0MyplM148Tyd6THg4vOo6JQY09UIpl6UZW_b2ofMe3izRBtkMl3Ie9/w640-h480/fullsizeoutput_8b07.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31Mf2-UqpQDWvh6MDun4hzq0UMiWEoAH48K4lUfc5kocYnfl9ACezlgSbxvbD_f-h6cH25ETCQh4y1JE3xdmXH9v64S_6tguOhPMSwlRO-qNFfd4DAi23_o0CaGlmV_UkYdQvMIANMPAy/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8b08.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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This place has personality for days. </div><div><br /></div><div>It also was a perfect bookend to my Kandy experience. I had come in on this super scenic train, checked out a holy tooth and was closing off my visit wandering around the most photogenic fever dream imaginable. </div><div><br /></div><!--more-->bertihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682069914725076676noreply@blogger.com0Kandy, Sri Lanka7.2905715 80.6337262-47.904102767933608 10.321226199999998 62.485245767933606 150.9462262