Elephants are a national symbol in Southeast Asia. Woven into the cultural fabric of Asia, the animal was elevated to a special status upon Lord Buddha’s birth when, scriptures say, his mother dreamed a white elephant came to her with a lotus flower. Practically though, the massive temples in Southeast Asia, staggering in size and monument were possible only with the strength and effort of elephants. Historians estimate that over …
Thailand is known as “land of a thousand temples”, each stunningly unique and overwhelmingly beautifully Buddhist. It’s also known as the “land of a thousand smiles”. I think there’s a connection… First, it’s hot. Plan your adventures for mornings, late afternoons and evenings. Not during the heat of midday. The city comes alive at night. It’s an easy city to get around. Tuk-tuks are everywhere, as are taxis. Buses circumnavigate …
It’s an 11th century Buddhist VM! Thangka roughly translates to “recorded message” in Tibetan and is an ancient form of Buddhist art. The art of India and Nepal is one of flamboyance! Color in capitals! Flags fly, ropes of marigolds are offered to visitors along with welcoming red bindis and bracelets. Each with a prayer. Carvings, sculptures, paintings…all celebratory and strange. But so beautiful! I watched artists in the city of …
It was the most imposing structure I have ever visited, dominating the landscape, miniaturizing the “Blue City” below. On par with the Great Wall but so much richer in ornate decoration and impossibly grand. Mehrangarh Fort stands four hundred feet in splendor on a perpendicular cliff above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sandstone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written …
Many claim there are more gods than people in the Kathmandu Valley. It feels that way. Spiritually pungent, deliciously rich in culture and tradition. Flower petals, vermilion powder and rice are offered on brass trays daily at these sacred spots. The contrast with frenetic India is dramatic. Chill, more peaceful. An absence of car horns. The Himalayas loom, menacing with tectonic threat but grand and gorgeous. Nepal is the country of …
I loved watching Indian women draped in brightly colored, embellished silks managing to accomplish, to me, awkward side-saddle motor bike rides, managing unruly kids, raking basmati, worshipping at the temple all the while composed and lovely in their saris. In Indian culture, the sari symbolizes respect, dignity, modesty and confidence. The word “sari” means “strip of cloth” in Sanskrit. But for the Indian women—and a few men—who have been wrapping …
Dress up night!
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country`s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight.
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru live direct descendents of the ancient Inca people, invaded by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500`s. This indigenous group of people are called the Q`ueros.
#abroadtravelingabroad #incahistory #incatrail #peru #sacredvalley #seniortravel #shaman #soloseniortravel #solotravel #womentravelingsolo
Although the trail to the remarkable Inca engineering and cultural achievement called Machu Picchu is Peru`s most famous destination, Cañon del Colca, or Colca Canyon is a grand and extraordinary experience...one not to miss!
#abroadtravelingabroad #colcavalley #condors #peru #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel
We did it! #Machupicchu #incatrail #wiracocha #abroadtravelingabroad #hirambingham #sevenwonders
Sacred Valley of the Incas #ollyantaytambo #peru #wiraquocha #abroadtravelingabroad
Near Saqsayhuaman Inca site #shaman #shamanism #perushaman #healingrituals #abroadtravelingabroad
Island life #uros #urosfloatingislands #laketiticacaperu #Peru #abroadtravelingabroad
Colca Valley #condors #chivay #andes #andeancondor #abroadtravelingabroad #peru #inca #incatrail #colcacanyon
A day in Arequipa, La Ciudad Blanca #santacatalinamonastery #laiglesiadelacompañíadejesús #elmisti #ceviche #peru
Croatia`s Secret Genius: Sculptor, Artist, Designer...Meet my friend Ivan Midzic
#abroadtravelingabroad #croatia #ivanmidzic #jewelry #midzojewellry #midzoart #rovinj #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shopping #soloseniortravel #solotravel #steuphemia #statementjewelry #womentravelingsolo
Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of grocery store wannabe sushi.
Not any more.
#abroadtraveingabroad #bestsushiever #keioplazahotel #kuybeyrestaurant #nigiri #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #sushi #tokyo #travelsafetyabroad #womentravelingsolo
Thousands of vermilion Torii gates blazing in the August sun which straddle a network of trails behind its main shrines. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
#abroadtravelingabroad #FushimiInariTaisha #kyoto #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shinto #soloseniortravel #solotravel #toriigates #womentravelingsolo
A morning walk along the Miyagawa River finds farmers and craftspeople selling sansai (mountain vegetables), wasakana (river fish) along with selections of local pottery and vintage kimonos repurposed as ornate handbags and a subtle rainbow of silk jackets.
#abroadtravelingabroad #japan #japanesefestival #onsen #sake #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #takayama #womentravelingsolo
7th Annual Hawthorne Family Cooking Class #chefalyssas #thaifood #familytime
An afternoon at Tokyo`s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food.
https://abroadtravelingabroad.com/japans-ultimate-shopping-experience-at-tsukiji-and-nishiki-markets/
Maiko Performance #Kyoto #maiko #geishamakeup #japan #abroadtravelingabroad
Kyoto #🈲 #abroadtravelingabroad #goldenpavilion #kimono
Bullet train to Kyoto station late afternoon. Massive complex with floors packed with luxury designer shops, restaurants and 10 floors of the Isetan department store! Kyoto Tower replicates a lighthouse design. Looking forward to its topmost view tomorrow. @abroadtravelingabroad
Hello Kyoto #kyoto #kyotostation #everythingyouneed #abroadtravelingabroad #japaneseculture #japanesefood #japanesefashion