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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 unimaginable journey to a few new-to-me international locations, 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 supplied me a comped spot in change for protection.
I booked the “simple” 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 journey; and the rock-carved Bastei Bridge throughout the border in Saxon Switzerland, Germany.
I ought to point out that this tour is “simple” by Czech requirements, not American requirements. There’s an excellent quantity of strolling, stairs-climbing, and a protracted uphill climb out of a gorge. Don’t let that dissuade you, although, except you have got mobility challenges!
I had such a good time on this tour, and it’s a improbable possibility for those who’re trying to get out into nature on a day journey from Prague. You may e-book it right here.
The incomparable vacation spot of Bhutan. Bhutan is among the most original locations I’ve ever visited. Completely gorgeous, high to backside, with an unimaginable concentrate on sustainability — each environmental and cultural. Not solely is the Himalayan nation naturally gorgeous, however I really like the tradition. Like the truth that so many Bhutanese folks put on their conventional cultural outfits day by day.
Bhutan Journey Heart invited me to journey with them as their visitor. They offered me with a tour, and I simply paid for the SDF, the every day $100 sustainable growth price Bhutan fees 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 primary cities of Paro and Thimphu, in addition to the beautiful panorama of Gangtey and the house of probably the most lovely temple, Punakha.
The largest 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 truly did rather 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 internal temples) makes it so value it.
I’ve a Bhutan submit partially written and I can’t wait to publish it and share all the small print 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 the town of Kathmandu within the mountains (partly to assist myself acclimatize to the altitude pre-Bhutan). A completely beautiful lodge, and a spot I vastly most popular to staying in Kathmandu correct.
After Bhutan, I headed to the town of Pokhara for a number of days. Pokhara is the journey capital of Nepal, and set on a beautiful lake. It’s a lovely 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 site visitors and the chaos, and the air high quality was so unhealthy, 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 by to Prague with my miles — simply sufficient time to discover a rustic wherein 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 suggest in case you have a layover in Qatar. The I.M. Pei-designed constructing is value it by itself, not to mention the unimaginable, various artwork!
I spent the remainder of the day doing my very own factor, wandering a elaborate Parisian-inspired mall (Place Vendôme), and a Center Japanese afternoon tea at Jardin on the Banyan Tree.
And plenty of good occasions in Prague. I voted for Kamala Harris from my pc, 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 record. And we loved Americke Fest, probably the greatest avenue festivals of the yr, regardless that it was wet!
One ultimate notice — I do know that lots of you’re round my age — 40 — and have grown up with me since we have 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 usually the age that the majority insurance coverage insurance policies begin overlaying mammograms, except you have got a household historical past, so if that features you, pricey 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 necessary.
Challenges
Meals poisoning in Bhutan. It’s occurred to me a handful of occasions whereas touring, and it reared its ugly head once more right here. I’m unsure what the offender was — it might need been milk that had a filmy piece in it, or some hen that appeared not fairly proper — however I wakened throwing up and unable to maneuver.
My information, Sonam, was fantastic about it and insisted on taking me to the hospital. I protested at first, however finally conceded. I noticed a physician, received meds, and was feeling higher by the tip 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 following day I did a homestay with a household that had quite a lot of cows and put milk in all the things. I ate small quantities out of politeness, however MAN was that onerous.
Kathmandu Airport is my new least favourite airport on the planet. Congratulations, Manila, you’ve been usurped! I flew by Kathmandu six completely different occasions 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 following 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 folks I met have been SO type and welcoming, and the landscapes have been lovely, 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 gained’t be heartbroken if I by no means return.
Quitting a tour midway by. I signed up for the favored Spirituality Tour in Kathmandu, and discovered 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 have been working round all over within the neighborhood. I DO NOT hang around with monkeys — too many unhealthy experiences with them on safari in Africa. And had the tour description point out that there have been monkeys, I might not have gone.
A minimum of being alone on the tour, I instructed the information, “I can’t do that,” and requested him to take me again. In fact I nonetheless tipped him and the motive force.
Most Fashionable 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 mushy touchdown after a protracted flight. I used to hit the group working after arrival — however that’s not one thing I take pleasure in doing anymore.
You may see the reel right here, and for updates from my travels, you may 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 truly 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 really like these earrings — they’re basic, and small, however have the proper quantity of edge to them. They’re nearly like vampire tooth. And naturally, I can put on the plain spherical earrings on their very own if I like.
Some recommendation — for those who see a bit of nice jewellery you want that’s bought from one of many popular-with-influencers manufacturers, simply take an image to a jeweler and see if they will make one thing related. I assure it can price you a LOT much less.
What I Watched This Month
This month I watched No one Desires This on Netflix, seemingly together with each different elder millennial on the market. And what a terrific thought! 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 quite a lot of the ladies characters) — nevertheless it’s nice. Truthfully, 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 Excellent Couple, additionally on Netflix. Regardless of the completely stacked forged and lovely setting and costumes, I discovered this a slog to get by (it’s attempting SO HARD to be The White Lotus, however with out a shred of humor).
Additionally, certainly one of my largest pet peeves on display is unhealthy Boston accents — and boy, is there an EXCRUCIATING Boston accent on this.
If you happen to’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 e-book to return 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 methods to pilot planes (what?) to working on the White Home, from shopping for a gourmand meals store within the Hamptons on a whim to turning into a Meals Community star.
This e-book has fairly a number of nuggets of knowledge for any entrepreneur or inventive. I used to be a bit shocked 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 facet. 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 e-book 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 have been youthful, and so they truly traveled round Europe on $5 per day (not a typo!)! Again within the 70s for those who camped, two folks might journey Europe on simply $5 per day! I beloved this a part of the e-book, as you may guess.
Coming Up in November 2024
This month I’m heading residence to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with my household. Since Charlie and I have been going to e-book the journey with miles, we did a bit of little bit of miles math and discovered 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 for those who rely driving by 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, also referred to as Guna Yala. These islands seem like the proper picture of a abandoned island in your thoughts, and so they’re Indigenous-owned, which retains the cash in the precise 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 might 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!
