Tag: Religion
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Batu Caves: A Quick Climb on a 10-Hour Layover in Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves is one of Malaysia’s most iconic sights, and can be visited (even climbed) on a 10-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur. From KLIA, I take the train connections to Selangor and scale the 272 rainbow steps, turning transit time into a mini-adventure.
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Holy Lands Tour Final Stop: Cairo
It’s already late afternoon. The route to our next stop, St. Simon the Tanner Cathedral, skirts through narrow and congested streets. Our bus is too large to pass here, so the group is divided into two taxi vans, kind of like the UV Express in the Philippines but slightly larger. We drive through piles of…
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Holy Lands Tour: St. Catherine’s Monastery
The next morning, following breakfast, we set out once more, this time bound for St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai. Here, we plan to reunite with our groupmates who have climbed to the summit for the sunrise. Leaving the comfort of the resort behind, we make the journey from Taba Heights to…
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Holy Lands Tour: Jerusalem
Jerusalem—it’s complicated. Claimed as a capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, it holds deep religious importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, making it a focal point of longstanding conflicts. The city is divided into East and West Jerusalem, with East Jerusalem, including the Old City, being considered by Palestinians as the capital of a future…
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Holy Lands Tour: Bethlehem
Bethlehem is both the birthplace of Jesus and a city of profound spiritual significance. Yet, beyond the nativity story, Bethlehem is also a place shaped by resilience, conflict, and history. As we cross the Israeli separation barrier into the Palestinian-controlled city, we are met with stark contrasts: ancient stone churches standing alongside walls covered in…
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Holy Lands Tour: Qasr al-Yahud
As we draw closer to the checkpoint to cross the border to the West Bank, Iad provides a bit of background and explains the security process. “This checkpoint is one of several that manage entry into the West Bank,’ he begins, keeping his tone calm and reassuring. “Just show your passports and your entry permits–the…
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Holy Lands Tour: The Sea of Galilee’s Northwestern Shore
Early the next morning, we depart for the Sheikh Hussein Bridge, one of the main entry points for travelers moving between Jordan and Israel. The Jordan part of our tour has concluded, and we’re now heading to one of the world’s most high-tension areas. It’s an overall disconcerting feeling, although aside from a random security…
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Holy Lands Tour: Madaba and Mount Nebo
From Amman, we head south towards the King’s Highway, a winding, scenic route that threads through some of Jordan’s most beautiful landscapes. A magnificent-sounding translation of an old Hebrew term that probably only meant “main road,” the King’s Highway is a vital path for the north-south trade and the site of ancient battles. Nowadays, it’s…
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Extended Weekend in La Union: Side Tours to Ma-Cho Temple and Baluarte Watchtower
La Union is often known for its beaches and surf culture, but the province has more to offer beyond the saltwater and the waves. I’ve been to the province twice before, but I’ve never had the chance to explore outside San Juan, particularly Urbiztondo Beach. Thus on this particular trip, we do a couple of…
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First Time in Kathmandu: Exploring Thamel, Asan Bazaar & More
I finally mustered the courage to travel internationally again. The idea had been lingering for a while, but it was during my COVID-19 quarantine last year that I made the decision. An ad for Nepal trekking tours popped up on my feed, and something about it stuck with me. I wanted my first post-pandemic trip…
The Tourist Gaze 