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This was the month of my massive, far-flung solo journey of 2024 — my journey to Nepal, Bhutan, and Qatar! It was an unbelievable journey to 3 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 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 plush, greenery-filled Wild Gorge on the Kamenice River, the place we took a ship trip; 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 a great quantity of strolling, stairs-climbing, and an extended uphill climb out of a gorge. Don’t let that dissuade you, although, except you might have mobility challenges!
I had such a good time on this tour, and it’s a unbelievable possibility when you’re seeking to get out into nature on a day journey from Prague. You possibly can e-book it right here.
The incomparable vacation spot of Bhutan. Bhutan is without doubt one of the most unusual locations I’ve ever visited. Completely beautiful, high to backside, with an unbelievable deal with sustainability — each environmental and cultural. Not solely is the Himalayan nation naturally beautiful, however I really like the tradition. Like the truth that so many Bhutanese folks put on their conventional cultural outfits every single day.
Bhutan Journey Middle invited me to journey with them as their visitor. They supplied me with a tour, and I simply paid for the SDF, the day by day $100 sustainable improvement 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 essentially the most stunning 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 tricky time with altitude ordinarily, however I truly 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 publish 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 town of Kathmandu within the mountains (partially to assist myself acclimatize to the altitude pre-Bhutan). A fully beautiful lodge, and a spot I significantly most well-liked 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 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 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 by means of 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 Previous Port, adopted by the excellent Museum of Islamic Artwork, which I strongly advocate in case 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 Jap afternoon tea at Jardin on the Banyan Tree.
And many good instances in Prague. I voted for Kamala Harris from my pc, as Massachusetts is without doubt one of the states that permits on-line voting for abroad residents! Charlie and I had a GREAT meal at SaSaZu, which deserves to go on my greatest eating places in Prague listing. And we loved Americke Fest, among the finest avenue festivals of the 12 months, though it was wet!
One last notice — I do know that lots of you’re 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 usually the age that almost all insurance coverage insurance policies begin protecting mammograms, except you might have 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 hen 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 finally conceded. I noticed a health care provider, bought 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 subsequent day I did a homestay with a household that had numerous cows and put milk in all the things. I ate small quantities out of politeness, however MAN was that tough.
Kathmandu Airport is my new least favourite airport on this planet. Congratulations, Manila, you’ve been usurped! I flew by means of 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 test 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 folks 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 by means of. 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 bought to Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple, and I used to be shocked that monkeys had been operating round everywhere 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 might not have gone.
At the least being alone on the tour, I informed the information, “I can’t do that,” and requested him to take me again. After all I nonetheless tipped him and the driving force.
Most Well-liked 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 admire giving myself a delicate touchdown after an extended flight. I used to hit the group operating after arrival — however that’s not one thing I get pleasure from doing anymore.
You possibly can see the reel right here, and for updates from my travels, you’ll be able to observe me on Instagram at @adventurouskate.
Vogue 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 bought them for lower than 1 / 4 of the Idyl worth (although I nonetheless needed to save up for them).
I really like these earrings — they’re traditional, and small, however have the proper quantity of edge to them. They’re virtually like vampire enamel. And naturally, I can put on the plain spherical earrings on their very own if I like.
Some recommendation — when you see a chunk of superb 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 comparable. I assure it should value 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 excellent concept! A rom-com TV sequence starring two forty-something TV stars we all the time like to see? SIGN ME UP.
It’s not good (I cringed at numerous the ladies characters) — but it surely’s nice. Actually, I’d love in the event that they made 10 completely different variations of this sequence, 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 solid and beautiful setting and costumes, I discovered this a slog to get by means of (it’s making an attempt SO HARD to be The White Lotus, however with out a shred of humor).
Additionally, one among my greatest pet peeves on display 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 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 the right way to pilot planes (what?) to working on the White Home, from shopping for a gourmand meals store within the Hamptons on a whim to changing into a Meals Community star.
This e-book has fairly a couple of nuggets of knowledge for any entrepreneur or inventive. I used to be a bit shocked to listen to that Ina has all the time been a leap-and-the-net-will-appear form of businesswoman. She form 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 operating 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 would possibly famously be a wealthy girl who hosts dinner events in her mansion within the Hamptons — however she and Jeffrey was once broke broke once they had been youthful, they usually truly traveled round Europe on $5 per day (not a typo!)! Again within the 70s when you camped, two folks might journey Europe on simply $5 per day! I cherished this a part of the e-book, as you would possibly guess.
Coming Up in November 2024
This month I’m heading house to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with my household. Since Charlie and I had been going to e-book the journey with miles, we did somewhat little bit of miles math and found out it wouldn’t value rather 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 when you depend driving by means of Honduras en route from Nicaragua to El Salvador — technically, the stamp is in my passport, however I don’t depend it as a result of it was simply driving!).
We will probably 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 seem like the proper picture of a abandoned island in your thoughts, they usually’re Indigenous-owned, which retains the cash in the precise fingers.
After that, we fly to Boston for slightly below per week. One factor on our schedule is consuming at No. 9 Park, a beloved Boston restaurant that will probably be closing for good on the finish of the 12 months. 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!