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This was the month of my huge, far-flung solo journey of 2024 — my journey to Nepal, Bhutan, and Qatar! It was an unbelievable journey to a few new-to-me nations, and I’m excited to share it with you all.
Let’s check out the month!
Locations Visited
- Prague, Tisá, Vysoká Lípa, and Mezná, Czech Republic
- Lomen, Germany
- Lonkuri Bhanjyang, Kathmandu, Rupakot, and Pokhara, Nepal
- Paro, Thimphu, Dochula, Lobesa, Punakha, and Gangtey, Bhutan
- Doha, Qatar
Highlights
A enjoyable journey to Bohemian Switzerland and Saxon Switzerland. In my efforts to go to a brand new Czech vacation spot each month of 2024, this month I lastly made it to Bohemian Switzerland! I booked my journey with Northern Hikes, a wonderful tour firm in Prague. They provided me a comped spot in trade for protection.
I booked the “straightforward” journey to the three locations: the ethereal, otherworldly Tisa Rocks, the place The Chronicles of Narnia was filmed; the luxurious, greenery-filled Wild Gorge on the Kamenice River, the place we took a ship experience; and the rock-carved Bastei Bridge throughout the border in Saxon Switzerland, Germany.
I ought to point out that this tour is “straightforward” by Czech requirements, not American requirements. There’s a very good quantity of strolling, stairs-climbing, and an extended uphill climb out of a gorge. Don’t let that dissuade you, although, except you’ve got mobility challenges!
I had such a good time on this tour, and it’s a improbable possibility in case you’re seeking to get out into nature on a day journey from Prague. You’ll be able to ebook it right here.
The incomparable vacation spot of Bhutan. Bhutan is among the most unusual locations I’ve ever visited. Completely beautiful, prime to backside, with an unbelievable give attention to sustainability — each environmental and cultural. Not solely is the Himalayan nation naturally beautiful, however I like the tradition. Like the truth that so many Bhutanese individuals put on their conventional cultural outfits every single day.
Bhutan Journey Middle invited me to journey with them as their visitor. They offered me with a tour, and I simply paid for the SDF, the each day $100 sustainable improvement payment Bhutan prices vacationers. I had my very own information and driver for the entire week, which is one thing I haven’t had since Jordan in 2011!
Over the week I visited the principle cities of Paro and Thimphu, in addition to the beautiful panorama of Gangtey and the house of essentially the most stunning temple, Punakha.
The most important spotlight of my time in Bhutan was climbing to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. I had been anxious about this, as a result of I’ve such a troublesome time with altitude ordinarily, however I really did very well! It’s not a technical hike, it’s simply the altitude that makes it difficult. And the view of Tiger’s Nest (and the go to to the inside temples) makes it so value it.
I’ve a Bhutan put up partially written and I can’t wait to publish it and share all the main points with you!
Experiencing Nepal for the primary time. I additionally visited Nepal each earlier than and after my time in Bhutan. First, I spent two days at The Terraces Resort, excessive above town of Kathmandu within the mountains (partly to assist myself acclimatize to the altitude pre-Bhutan). A completely beautiful resort, and a spot I tremendously most popular to staying in Kathmandu correct.
After Bhutan, I headed to town of Pokhara for a couple of days. Pokhara is the journey capital of Nepal, and set on a stunning lake. It’s an attractive a part of the world, although I wasn’t within the temper for any journey! I additionally actually loved spending an evening at Rupakot Resort, which has a pleasant one-night bundle for vacationers.
Kathmandu I didn’t like in any respect. I hated the visitors and the chaos, and the air high quality was so dangerous, I used to be counting down the minutes till I left.
A enjoyable day in Doha. I ended up spending about 36 hours in Doha, Qatar, due to not having the ability to fly straight via to Prague with my miles — simply sufficient time to discover a rustic during which I ordinarily wouldn’t search to spend time.
I ended up visiting the colourful Outdated Port, adopted by the very good Museum of Islamic Artwork, which I strongly advocate when you have a layover in Qatar. The I.M. Pei-designed constructing is value it by itself, not to mention the unbelievable, numerous artwork!
I spent the remainder of the day doing my very own factor, wandering a flowery Parisian-inspired mall (Place Vendôme), and a Center Japanese afternoon tea at Jardin on the Banyan Tree.
And plenty of good instances in Prague. I voted for Kamala Harris from my laptop, as Massachusetts is among the states that enables on-line voting for abroad residents! Charlie and I had a GREAT meal at SaSaZu, which deserves to go on my finest eating places in Prague listing. And we loved Americke Fest, probably the greatest avenue festivals of the yr, regardless that it was wet!
One last observe — I do know that a lot of you might be round my age — 40 — and have grown up with me since we had been in our twenties. So I need to share that I had my first mammogram this month, and it was a fast and painless process.
40 is often the age that almost all insurance coverage insurance policies begin overlaying mammograms, except you’ve got a household historical past, so if that features you, expensive readers, please get your mammograms. If I can do it with a Czech-speaking technician, you are able to do it with an English speaker!! Get your pap smears, too. And your colonoscopies. And your pores and skin checks. Early detection is so vital.
Challenges
Meals poisoning in Bhutan. It’s occurred to me a handful of instances whereas touring, and it reared its ugly head once more right here. I’m undecided what the perpetrator was — it may need been milk that had a filmy piece in it, or some rooster that appeared not fairly proper — however I awoke throwing up and unable to maneuver.
My information, Sonam, was great about it and insisted on taking me to the hospital. I protested at first, however ultimately conceded. I noticed a health care provider, received meds, and was feeling higher by the top of the day.
Sadly, although, it put a damper on my journey, as I didn’t need to eat any meat or dairy. And the subsequent day I did a homestay with a household that had loads of cows and put milk in the whole lot. I ate small quantities out of politeness, however MAN was that onerous.
Kathmandu Airport is my new least favourite airport on this planet. Congratulations, Manila, you’ve been usurped! I flew via Kathmandu six completely different instances over the course of my journey. It’s an absolute mess, so complicated, so many steps, most screens not working, and you need to stroll round and double verify your flight exists and is leaving.
I hate to say it, however the terrible expertise on the airport was a contributing issue to how I felt about Nepal general.
Nepal and I didn’t vibe. I do discover that the subsequent vacation spot I go to after someplace distinctive is inevitably going to be seen worse by me. And after experiencing Bhutan, Nepal simply didn’t do it for me.
The Nepali individuals I met had been SO variety and welcoming, and the landscapes had been stunning, however I didn’t fairly join with Nepal as a rustic. It felt like one thing was off. I’m glad I visited, however I received’t be heartbroken if I by no means return.
Quitting a tour midway via. I signed up for the favored Spirituality Tour in Kathmandu, and came upon I used to be the one participant — an enormous pet peeve of mine, however I went together with it, as we visited Boudhanath (a pleasant Buddhist stupa, however nowhere as good as something I noticed in Bhutan).
Then we received to Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple, and I used to be shocked that monkeys had been working round in all places within the neighborhood. I DO NOT hang around with monkeys — too many dangerous experiences with them on safari in Africa. And had the tour description point out that there have been monkeys, I’d not have gone.
A minimum of being alone on the tour, I advised the information, “I can’t do that,” and requested him to take me again. In fact I nonetheless tipped him and the driving force.
Most In style Reel on Instagram
I didn’t do a lot on the journey this month, however I did one simply after arriving in Nepal. The older I get, the extra I respect giving myself a comfortable touchdown after an extended flight. I used to hit the group working after arrival — however that’s not one thing I get pleasure from doing anymore.
You’ll be able to see the reel right here, and for updates from my travels, you possibly can observe me on Instagram at @adventurouskate.
Style Second of the Month
This month I had some earrings custom-made by my jeweler — a pair of bezel-set spherical diamond earrings with a pear-shaped diamond ear jacket behind it. I really based mostly them on this pair from Idyl, solely I received them for lower than 1 / 4 of the Idyl value (although I nonetheless needed to save up for them).
I like these earrings — they’re traditional, and small, however have the proper quantity of edge to them. They’re nearly like vampire enamel. And naturally, I can put on the plain spherical earrings on their very own if I like.
Some recommendation — in case you see a chunk of positive jewellery you want that’s offered from one of many popular-with-influencers manufacturers, simply take an image to a jeweler and see if they’ll make one thing related. I assure it should price you a LOT much less.
What I Watched This Month
This month I watched No one Needs This on Netflix, seemingly together with each different elder millennial on the market. And what an incredible concept! A rom-com TV collection starring two forty-something TV stars we at all times like to see? SIGN ME UP.
It’s not excellent (I cringed at loads of the ladies characters) — nevertheless it’s nice. Actually, I’d love in the event that they made 10 completely different variations of this collection, set in 10 completely different cities!
And from the stuff I didn’t love this month — I watched The Good Couple, additionally on Netflix. Regardless of the completely stacked forged and beautiful setting and costumes, I discovered this a slog to get via (it’s attempting SO HARD to be The White Lotus, however with no shred of humor).
Additionally, certainly one of my greatest pet peeves on display screen is dangerous Boston accents — and boy, is there an EXCRUCIATING Boston accent on this.
For those who’re on the fence, you don’t want to look at this.
What I Learn This Month
Be Prepared When the Luck Occurs by Ina Garten (2024) — WOW, I used to be ready for this ebook to come back out, and did it ever ship! This long-awaited memoir is the story of Ina Garten’s life, from her sad childhood to assembly the love of her life, from studying find out how to pilot planes (what?) to working on the White Home, from shopping for a connoisseur meals store within the Hamptons on a whim to changing into a Meals Community star.
This ebook has fairly a couple of nuggets of knowledge for any entrepreneur or artistic. I used to be a bit stunned to listen to that Ina has at all times been a leap-and-the-net-will-appear sort of businesswoman. She sort of jogs my memory of Richard Branson in that side. And he or she revealed a LOT. Cater a celebration, and get tipped in cocaine? Why not!!
And Jeffrey. A lot Jeffrey. It’s a working joke for Barefoot Contessa watchers that Ina is so in love together with her husband to the purpose of obsession. And this ebook will get SO MUCH OF THE WHY. Each husband ought to aspire to be as progressive and supportive as Jeffrey is to Ina. And each couple ought to work on their relationship as a lot as they do and did.
And one other factor — Ina may famously be a wealthy woman who hosts dinner events in her mansion within the Hamptons — however she and Jeffrey was broke broke after they had been youthful, and so they really traveled round Europe on $5 per day (not a typo!)! Again within the 70s in case you camped, two individuals may journey Europe on simply $5 per day! I liked this a part of the ebook, as you may guess.
Coming Up in November 2024
This month I’m heading dwelling to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with my household. Since Charlie and I had been going to ebook the journey with miles, we did a bit of little bit of miles math and found out it wouldn’t price far more so as to add in one other vacation spot.
Which brings us to — Panama! My second-to-last nation to go to in Central America (or my final nation in case you rely driving via Honduras en route from Nicaragua to El Salvador — technically, the stamp is in my passport, however I don’t rely it as a result of it was simply driving!).
We will likely be visiting Panama for a few week, visiting the capital of Panama Metropolis and the San Blas Islands, often known as Guna Yala. These islands appear to be the proper picture of a abandoned island in your thoughts, and so they’re Indigenous-owned, which retains the cash in the appropriate palms.
After that, we fly to Boston for just below every week. One factor on our schedule is consuming at No. 9 Park, a beloved Boston restaurant that will likely be closing for good on the finish of the yr. Glad I may seize a reservation!
I additionally visited a brand new pair of Czech locations for November, and also you’ll hear all about them subsequent month.
Any plans for November? Share away!
