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Valkala Is My New Valhalla, India
We headed for Valkala, Kerala, after being interned in the Shivandanda Ashram over Christmas and to my utter joy, I found my future stomping grounds. Valkala beach is broken into two parts. North Cliff is busy and crazy, while South Cliff is a little busy in the center and peaceful elsewhere. Backstory Once upon a…
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Shivananda Ashram Isolation, Kerala, India
The Shivananda Ashram is actually why we visited India in December, and not just for the sun and fun escape from Northern Europe’s dreadful winter. Sure we wanted to spend Christmas in the sun but also with a touch of spiritualism. The surprise was that Kerala is a very Christian state and that the ashram…
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Marari Beach Life, Kerala, India
This post is about how to escape from the cold, grey, winter months in Northern Europe via Marari Beach, Kerala, India. It takes place in December and early January. Let’s begin with my general observation. The Christmas holidays in Kerala are quite busy (the state was converted to Christianity by the disciple Thomas in AD…
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Lachmi Hills Hike in Munnar, Kerala, India
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Munnar, Kerala, the Lachmi Hills trek offers an unforgettable half-day hiking experience. While my initial plan was to ascend Anamudi—the highest peak in Southern India at 2,695 meters—closure by the Forestry Service redirected my adventures to the accessible Meesapulimala, the region’s second highest peak at 2,640 meters. However, updates…
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Everest BC Trek In 8 Days, Nepal 2023
This blog is about how I did the Everest BC Trek in 8 days. Actually 7 and a flight back to Kathmandu on the 8th. This was NOT a race or intentionally fast trek. I simply didn’t take any ‘Rest Days’ or waste 2 hours a day with lunch stops. Also, rather than stopping early…
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How to do the Manaslu Trek in Nepal
How to do the Manaslu Trek in Nepal. I will provide details that include maps, costs, logistical requirements and facts as well as links to additional details, photos and videos. This is a guided adventure on a shoestring. Follow the links to dig deeper into the adventure. Difficulty Level: While not easy, this trek is…
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A Day (& Night) in the Life of Varanasi
A day (& night) in the life of Varanasi is just that. A casual day spent in the Indian town of Varanasi (also called Benares or Kasi). In this video you will see that the town is the canvas and the people are the unique brush strokes. And every day is a new painting. And…
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Sri Lanka Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage How To
While in Sri Lanka we were told about a place that was sacred to multiple religions so we decided to do the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage. Note that there are two routes to the summit. We followed the “easier” route and that was hard enough. Adam’s Peak We had the motorbike for another day and a…
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Sri Lanka Motorcycle Ride to World’s End
In the town of Kandy I discovered two things. First that cheap multi-day motorcycle rentals were available (without an International Drivers License) and that there was a place nearby called World’s End. So we put 1 and 2 together to do a motorcycle ride to World’s End. Hill Country Motorcycle Ride After a few days…
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Sri Lanka Temples on a Shoe String
Busy in Sri Lanka I first heard the name Sri Lanka when I was a wee young lad. I was reading a novel by Arthur C. Clarke. In the novel he mentions Sri Lanka (previously know as Ceylon & Serendipity) quite a bit. Obviously he had fallen in love with this small island nation that…