Tag: Mountain
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Bud Bongao: We Conquered the Highest Peak of Tawi-Tawi and Here’s What It Taught Me
Bud Bongao is the highest peak in Tawi-Tawi, known for its spiritual significance and breathtaking views. I and a group of fellow travelers set out to conquer the mountain. Along the way, we face (minor) challenges, witness unique wildlife, and discover valuable lessons that go beyond the summit.
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Almost 40 in Japan: Witnessing a Shinhotaka Ropeway Virtual Whiteout
Hoping to get a panoramic view of the Japanese Alps, I instead find myself surrounded by the wild beauty of a near whiteout. From the observation deck, I see winter transform the landscape into an otherworldly scene and feel nature’s power as the Hida region’s mountains vanish behind a thick veil of snow and mist.
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Holy Lands Tour: The Lower Galilee Region
After breakfast the next morning, we leave our hotel in Nazareth and drive about 17 kilometers southeast to Mount Tabor. The mountain is identified in the Bible as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where he was transformed and appeared alongside Moses and Elijah, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.…
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Australia 2024: A Day Trip to the Blue Mountains
From Sydney, we head west to the Blue Mountains National Park, one of the most accessible and hence most popular day trip destination from the city. In this tour we’re accompanied by a busload of other tourists with our guide and driver Aaron. Shortly after arriving at our bus near the Queen Victoria Building, we…
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The Trip to Marrakesh: Zipping through Central Morocco
The journey from Merzouga to Marrakesh follows a relatively straightforward route, albeit with a few notable interruptions. We make a brief stopover in Kalaat M’Gouna for lunch of traditional Moroccan dishes before continuing our drive. Along the way, we take a couple of pit stops, one at a roadside restaurant and another at a hotel…
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Chefchaouen: Weekend Blues at the Rif
From Tangier, I take a bus to Chefchaouen, the famed “Blue Pearl” of Morocco, spending about two hours on the road with a short stop at Tetouan—a city I wish I had time to explore. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Rif Mountains, a striking contrast to the coastal scenery of my previous stops.…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 4
In the morning we are treated to another great panorama of the Annapurna Massif, this time as the sun rises over a bed of rhododendron trees. It’s a magical sight that reminds me more of the Swiss alps than the Himalayas. But that’s just a testament to the range of the Nepali environment. After breakfast,…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 3
Day 3 starts really early. At 4:30, Rawal meets us at the lobby of the inn, and a few minutes later, we begin a 45-minute uphill climb to the Poon Hill west of Ghorepani. The Poon Hill is a hill station that provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna Massif. Being at the lower part…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 2
After breakfast the next day, we start with the next part of the trek. We leave the road behind and traverse a trail that takes us through a forest and some mountain villages, occasionally passing by fellow trekkers and young Nepalis coming from the Holi celebration in a nearby town (I’m assuming Ghorepani). The good…
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The Annapurna Panorama Trek, Day 1
For many travelers, Nepal is synonymous with trekking, with numerous trekking routes in the country. Of course, the most popular routes are the ones to Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Base Camp. But for travelers with limited time, budget, and stamina, there are short moderate treks as well. One of these is the Annapurna…
The Tourist Gaze 