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This used to be the month of my large, far-flung solo travel of 2024 — my travel to Nepal, Bhutan, and Qatar! It used to be an out of this world travel to a few new-to-me nations, and I’m excited to percentage it with you all.
Let’s check out the month!
Loving the view on the Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland, Germany!
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
The Tisa Rocks in Bohemian Switzerland, Czech Republic
Highlights
A amusing travel to Bohemian Switzerland and Saxon Switzerland. In my efforts to seek advice from a brand new Czech vacation spot each month of 2024, this month I after all made it to Bohemian Switzerland! I booked my travel with Northern Hikes, a very good excursion corporate in Prague. They presented me a comped spot in alternate for protection.
I booked the “simple” travel to the 3 locations: the airy, otherworldly Tisa Rocks, the place The Chronicles of Narnia used to be filmed; the plush, greenery-filled Wild Gorge at the Kamenice River, the place we took a ship experience; and the rock-carved Bastei Bridge around the border in Saxon Switzerland, Germany.
I must point out that this excursion is “simple” by means of Czech requirements, no longer American requirements. There’s a just right quantity of strolling, stairs-climbing, and a protracted uphill climb out of a gorge. Don’t let that dissuade you, regardless that, until you will have mobility demanding situations!
I had one of these nice time in this excursion, and it’s an unbelievable choice should you’re taking a look to get out into nature on an afternoon travel from Prague. You can book it here.
Me at Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan!
The incomparable vacation spot of Bhutan. Bhutan is among the most original puts I’ve ever visited. Completely surprising, best to backside, with an out of this world center of attention on sustainability — each environmental and cultural. No longer handiest is the Himalayan nation naturally surprising, however I like the tradition. Like the truth that such a lot of Bhutanese other people put on their conventional cultural outfits on a daily basis.
Bhutan Travel Center invited me to trip with them as their visitor. They supplied me with a excursion, and I simply paid for the SDF, the day-to-day $100 sustainable building charge Bhutan fees vacationers. I had my very own information and driving force for the entire week, which is anything 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 essentially the most stunning temple, Punakha.
The most important spotlight of my time in Bhutan used to be mountaineering to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. I have been frightened about this, as a result of I’ve one of these tricky time with altitude ordinarily, however I in truth did in reality smartly! It’s no longer a technical hike, it’s simply the altitude that makes it difficult. And the view of Tiger’s Nest (and the seek advice from to the internal temples) makes it so value it.
I’ve a Bhutan put up partly written and I will’t wait to post it and percentage all of the main points with you!
The view from Rupakot Lodge, Nepal
Experiencing Nepal for the primary time. I additionally visited Nepal each prior to and after my time in Bhutan. First, I spent two days at The Terraces Resort, top above town of Kathmandu within the mountains (partially to assist myself acclimatize to the altitude pre-Bhutan). A fully stunning lodge, and a spot I very much 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 phenomenal lake. It’s a fantastic a part of the sector, regardless that I wasn’t within the temper for any journey! I additionally in reality 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 used to be so dangerous, I used to be counting down the mins till I left.
Position Vendôme in Doha, Qatar
A amusing day in Doha. I stopped up spending about 36 hours in Doha, Qatar, thank you not to with the ability to fly instantly thru to Prague with my miles — simply sufficient time to discover a rustic by which I ordinarily would no longer search to spend time.
I stopped up visiting the colourful Previous Port, adopted by means of the excellent Museum of Islamic Artwork, which I strongly counsel if in case you have a layover in Qatar. The I.M. Pei-designed construction is worthwhile by itself, let by myself the unbelievable, various artwork!
I spent the remainder of the day doing my very own factor, wandering a posh Parisian-inspired mall (Position Vendôme), and a Center Japanese afternoon tea at Jardin on the Banyan Tree.
My native park in Prague.
And a number of just right instances in Prague. I voted for Kamala Harris from my laptop, as Massachusetts is among the states that permits on-line balloting for out of the country citizens! Charlie and I had a GREAT meal at SaSaZu, which merits to move on my best possible eating places in Prague checklist. And we loved Americke Fest, one of the crucial best possible boulevard gala’s of the yr, even supposing it used to be wet!
One ultimate be aware — I do know that a lot of you might be round my age — 40 — and feature grown up with me since we have been in our twenties. So I wish to percentage that I had my first mammogram this month, and it used to be a snappy and painless process.
40 is usually the age that the majority insurance coverage insurance policies get started overlaying mammograms, until you will have a circle of relatives historical past, so if that incorporates you, expensive readers, please get your mammograms. If I will do it with a Czech-speaking technician, you’ll be able to do it with an English speaker!! Get your pap smears, too. And your colonoscopies. And your pores and skin tests. Early detection is so vital.
I did benefit from the out of doors film theater in Pokhara!
Demanding situations
Meals poisoning in Bhutan. It’s took place to me a handful of instances whilst touring, and it reared its unpleasant head once more right here. I’m no longer certain what the perpetrator used to be — it could had been milk that had a filmy piece in it, or some rooster that gave the impression no longer rather proper — however I awoke throwing up and not able to transport.
My information, Sonam, used to be glorious about it and insisted on taking me to the health facility. I protested to start with, however in the end conceded. I noticed a physician, were given meds, and used to be feeling higher by means of the tip of the day.
Sadly, regardless that, it put a damper on my travel, as I didn’t wish to consume any meat or dairy. And the next day to come I did a homestay with a circle of relatives that had numerous cows and put milk in the whole lot. I ate small quantities out of politeness, however MAN used to be that onerous.
Kathmandu Airport is my new least favourite airport on the earth. Congratulations, Manila, you’ve been usurped! I flew thru Kathmandu six other instances over the process my travel. It’s an absolute mess, so complicated, such a lot of steps, maximum monitors no longer running, and you have got to stroll round and double take a look at your flight exists and is leaving.
I hate to mention it, however the terrible revel in on the airport used to be a contributing issue to how I felt about Nepal general.
Walking the lake in Pokhara, Nepal
Nepal and I didn’t vibe. I do realize that the following vacation spot I seek advice from after someplace outstanding is inevitably going to be seen worse by means of me. And after experiencing Bhutan, Nepal simply didn’t do it for me.
The Nepali other people I met have been SO sort and inviting, and the landscapes have been stunning, however I didn’t rather hook up with Nepal as a rustic. It felt like anything used to be off. I’m happy I visited, however I gained’t be heartbroken if I by no means return.
Quitting a excursion midway thru. I signed up for the preferred Spirituality Tour in Kathmandu, and discovered I used to be the one player — an enormous puppy peeve of mine, however I went along side it, as we visited Boudhanath (a pleasant Buddhist stupa, however nowhere as great as anything else I noticed in Bhutan).
Then we were given to Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple, and I used to be surprised that monkeys have been working round all over in the community. I DO NOT hang around with monkeys — too many dangerous studies with them on safari in Africa. And had the excursion description point out that there have been monkeys, I don’t have long gone.
A minimum of being by myself at the excursion, I advised the information, “I will’t do that,” and requested him to take me again. In fact I nonetheless tipped him and the motive force.
Maximum Fashionable Reel on Instagram
I didn’t do a lot at the travel this month, however I did one simply after arriving in Nepal. The older I am getting, the extra I admire giving myself a comfortable touchdown after a protracted flight. I used to hit the crowd working after arrival — however that isn’t anything I revel in doing anymore.
You can see the reel here, and for updates from my travels, you’ll be able to follow me on Instagram at @adventurouskate.
My new earrings!
Model Second of the Month
This month I had some earrings personalized by means of my jeweler — a couple of bezel-set spherical diamond earrings with a pear-shaped diamond ear jacket at the back of it. I in truth primarily based them on this pair from Idyl, handiest I were given them for not up to 1 / 4 of the Idyl worth (regardless that I nonetheless needed to save up for them).
I like those earrings — they’re vintage, and small, however have the easiest quantity of edge to them. They’re nearly like vampire tooth. And naturally, I will put on the obvious spherical earrings on their very own if I love.
Some recommendation — should you see a work of good jewellery you favor this is offered from one of the crucial popular-with-influencers manufacturers, simply take an image to a jeweler and notice if they may be able to make anything equivalent. I ensure it’ll value you a LOT much less.
What I Watched This Month
This month I watched No person Needs This on Netflix, reputedly along side each different elder millennial available in the market. And what a really perfect thought! A rom-com TV collection starring two forty-something TV stars we at all times love to look? SIGN ME UP.
It’s no longer best (I cringed at numerous the ladies characters) — however it’s nice. Truthfully, I’d love in the event that they made 10 other variations of this collection, set in 10 other towns!
And from the stuff I didn’t love this month — I watched The Absolute best Couple, additionally on Netflix. Regardless of the completely stacked solid and beautiful surroundings and costumes, I discovered this a slog to get thru (it’s attempting SO HARD to be The White Lotus, however and not using a shred of humor).
Additionally, one among my largest puppy peeves on display screen is dangerous Boston accents — and boy, is there an EXCRUCIATING Boston accessory on this.
When you’re at the fence, you don’t wish to watch this.
Lewis and Murray in an extraordinary butt-to-butt second.
What I Learn This Month
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by means of Ina Garten (2024) — WOW, I used to be looking forward to this guide to come back out, and did it ever ship! This long-awaited memoir is the tale of Ina Garten’s lifestyles, from her unsatisfied adolescence to assembly the affection of her lifestyles, from studying the right way to pilot planes (what?) to running on the White Space, from purchasing a gourmand meals store within the Hamptons on a whim to turning into a Meals Community celebrity.
This guide has rather a couple of nuggets of knowledge for any entrepreneur or inventive. I used to be slightly stunned to listen to that Ina has at all times been a leap-and-the-net-will-appear roughly businesswoman. She roughly jogs my memory of Richard Branson in that facet. And she or he published a LOT. Cater a birthday celebration, and get tipped in cocaine? Why no longer!!
And Jeffrey. Such a lot Jeffrey. It’s a working funny story for Barefoot Contessa watchers that Ina is so in love along with her husband to the purpose of obsession. And this guide will get SO MUCH OF THE WHY. Each and every husband must aspire to be as revolutionary and supportive as Jeffrey is to Ina. And each couple must paintings on their dating up to they do and did.
And every 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 once they have been more youthful, they usually in truth traveled round Europe on $5 consistent with day (no longer a typo!)! Again within the 70s should you camped, two other people may trip Europe on simply $5 consistent with day! I beloved this a part of the guide, as chances are you’ll bet.
San Blas Islands, Panama, by the use of Shutterstock
Coming Up in November 2024
This month I’m heading house to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with my circle of relatives. Since Charlie and I have been going to guide the travel with miles, we did a bit of little bit of miles math and discovered it wouldn’t value a lot more so as to add in every other vacation spot.
Which brings us to — Panama! My second-to-last nation to seek advice from in Central The us (or my final nation should you depend riding thru Honduras en path from Nicaragua to El Salvador — technically, the stamp is in my passport, however I don’t depend it as it used to be simply riding!).
We will be able to be visiting Panama for approximately every week, visiting the capital of Panama Town and the San Blas Islands, sometimes called Guna Yala. Those islands seem like the easiest symbol of a abandoned island on your thoughts, they usually’re Indigenous-owned, which assists in keeping the cash in the suitable fingers.
After that, we fly to Boston for slightly below every week. Something on our agenda is consuming at No. 9 Park, a loved Boston eating place that will likely be last for just right on the finish of the yr. Satisfied I may snatch a reservation!
I additionally visited a brand new pair of Czech locations for November, and also you’ll pay attention all about them subsequent month.
Any plans for November? Proportion away!
