The first thing to come to mind for me (and I assume many others) when I think of Nepal, is Mt. Everest. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s the tallest mountain above sea level in the world! Understandably Everest is probably one of Nepal’s main tourist attractions, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Even the wildest of the family adventure holiday travelers may be put off, I know we were when I was traveling with my family as a kid. As much as I love the idea of being one of the bad ass people who conquer the giant, I think it’s a little beyond my skill set and budget for that matter! So here are my top bucket list things to do while in Nepal. (Other than climb Everest)
#1 Trekking in the Himalayas
Some of the longer more intense treks include Manaslu trek, Poonhill trek, Annapurna trek, Royal trek and many more. Some of those hikes may seem a little intense for some, as they are five to ten-day hikes depending on which one you choose. But in reality, most of the treks consist of hiking during the day and staying in local villages at night which in my opinion, helps lesson the burden of walking most of the day. The places you stay along the way are called teahouses and are often included in the cost of the trek.
#2 Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu
There is certainly some history behind Boudhanath that I would be excited to explore. Described as a very spiritual and cultural environment, I think it deserves a place on my list.
#3 Chitwan National Park
All of that doesn’t even come close to everything the park offers, but it’s more than enough to get me singed up. Everything I’ve seen about the park has me super excited to visit, except for one thing… They do offer elephant safaris which involve riding an elephant through the jungle. It sounds incredible when you say it like that but there is often a much darker side of what goes into elephant rides. They often train them with very harsh methods. Not to mention the weight of the saddle and passengers. I won’t go into too much detail, but I highly recommend doing some research before deciding to ride an elephant anywhere. That being said, the parks conservation and anti-poaching efforts are incredible.
Being well funded by tourist money is also what protects all of the wildlife you’ll see here, including the elephants who have a safe habitat from poachers and the developing world. But sadly of course they are not always treated well and I personally do not support the mistreatment of any animals and therefore do not recommend supporting the elephant rides. But the park offers many other safari options and ways to support the wildlife without harming it.
#4 Patan
Aside from the marvelous architecture, Patan seems to have plenty of rich culture and history that I always look for while traveling. I would love to make it there during the Krishna festival in august to experience the mass celebration.
#5 Flying Over Everest
Let’s be honest here, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would travel to Nepal and not want to see Everest. It’s the tallest mountain in the world for crying out loud! Of course, not everyone has the ability or time to trek for a week to catch a glimpse. And even if you do, it might still be worth considering one of the scenic Everest flights. Flying at an altitude of seven thousand meters gives you an eye level view of the mountains. The flight typically lasts an hour, taking you around many of the Himalayan giants.
At first I was worried about how affordable these flights were, but after doing some research I found that they are much more affordable then you would think. It’s hard to put a price on a once in a lifetime opportunity like this anyway. On another note, I have heard stories of these flights being notoriously turbulent. Just adds to the fun I guess. Buckle in and hold on!
Travelers often think of Europe in terms of cities and history. Inhabited for at least 50,000 years, and industrialised for over a century, you might be forgiven for thinking it the least wild of continents. But in her less trodden corners, previously hidden behind the iron curtain, there are vast areas of wilderness and unspoiled nature.
Lithuania is a country in which both nature and cultural heritage have been preserved, and each make compelling attractions for the intrepid traveller. It only take about three and a half hours to drive from one end of the country to the other (on the E85), so getting around is never too hard. The only problem is deciding which areas to visit. You will probably land in either Vilnius or Kaunas. Both cities are quite central and just a short drive from the beautiful national parks in all corners of the country.
You don’t need to be able to speak Lithuanian to get by in Vilnius or Kaunas, as English is widely spoken, but out in the sticks a phrase book is useful for translation services , as it can get pretty rustic. If you’re visiting this beautiful country, then make sure you don’t miss these top 5 wild destinations of Lithuania.
Aukstaitija National Park
About a 2 hour drive North of Vilnius, Aukstaitija National Park is known as the kingdom of forests and lakes. Established in 1974, the 30,000 hectares of forest and hills contain over a thousand picturesque lakes. These are often interconnected by rivulets and streams, which can be navigated by canoe.
Palushe is the ideal base camp from which to plan your excursions into the park. Other attractions in the area include the Bee-keeping Museum, the Ginuciai water mill, historic buildings in ethnographic villages and a wooden church built without using a single nail.
Luokesai lake
On the Western side of Labanoras Regional Park you will find Luokesai Lake. There are numerous lakes in Labanoras, which is home to the densest population of nesting White Stork couples in Europe, but Luokesai is the most beautiful.
It is frequented by the inhabitants of the nearby town of Molėtai, who love its clear water and tranquil setting. But there is more to this lake than the beauty of nature; archaeologists have discovered that the lake hides the secrets of forgotten civilisations on its bed. The lake is over 40 metres deep in parts, and for the past decade, archaeologists have been diving into its depths in order to study the Stone and Bronze Ages settlements that lurk below.
Wisent Reserve of Panevėžys
The largest land dwelling wild animal in Europe is the European bison, also known as the wisent. These 3 metre long shaggy beasts resemble American Buffalo and can grow to 2 metres high, weighing over a ton. If you are very lucky, you might encounter one in the vast wilds of Lithuania, but an easier (and perhaps safer) option is the The Pašiliai wisent breeding reservoir in Panevėžys.
There are 22 wisents on the 50 hectare reserve as well as an additional 50 which walk freely through the surrounding forests. The reserve was started in the late sixties, after the wisent had been extinct in Lithuania for 50 years. Lithuania does not have the type of huge forests required for larger herds of wisent to survive, so their numbers are controlled in this area.
Desert like Dunes of the Curonian Spit
The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO world heritage site, sometimes described as the Sahara of the North. The narrow sandy peninsula is only 2km wide but stretches 98km and boasts huge sand dunes. The Curonian Spit has been a famous tourist destination for over a hundred years and was particularly popular with Germans in the 19th century. It was dotted with picturesque fishing villages, 10 of which are known to have been consumed by the moving dunes. The movement of the dunes has been somewhat contained due to pine forest planting in the 19th century.
The lagoon side village of Neringa is the most popular resort in the area. Its lagoon coasts are lined with quaint wooden fishermen’s houses, often with thatched roofs. The fishing industry isn’t as large as it was, so most of these are now guesthouses and restaurants.
Dzūkija National Park
Dzūkija is the biggest National Park in Lithuania. Over 90% of the 697km2 park is forested and the vast woodlands are home to an abundance of wildlife, including 54 mammal species and 198 bird species. Human population density is comparatively sparse, with only 2 people per square kilometre.
Hiking, camping and kayaking are popular activities as well as berry and mushroom picking. There are 6 main walking routes and over 30 rivers and streams for kayakers. The more intrepid can drive to key locations and then explore the deep forests on foot, but be sure you don’t get lost!
Tom Rowsell is a seasoned traveler, writer, film maker and nature lover from England.
Lithuania is a country in which both nature and cultural heritage have been preserved, and each make compelling attractions for the intrepid traveller. It only take about three and a half hours to drive from one end of the country to the other (on the E85), so getting around is never too hard. The only problem is deciding which areas to visit. You will probably land in either Vilnius or Kaunas. Both cities are quite central and just a short drive from the beautiful national parks in all corners of the country.
You don’t need to be able to speak Lithuanian to get by in Vilnius or Kaunas, as English is widely spoken, but out in the sticks a phrase book is useful for translation services , as it can get pretty rustic. If you’re visiting this beautiful country, then make sure you don’t miss these top 5 wild destinations of Lithuania.
Aukstaitija National Park
About a 2 hour drive North of Vilnius, Aukstaitija National Park is known as the kingdom of forests and lakes. Established in 1974, the 30,000 hectares of forest and hills contain over a thousand picturesque lakes. These are often interconnected by rivulets and streams, which can be navigated by canoe.
Palushe is the ideal base camp from which to plan your excursions into the park. Other attractions in the area include the Bee-keeping Museum, the Ginuciai water mill, historic buildings in ethnographic villages and a wooden church built without using a single nail.
Luokesai lake
On the Western side of Labanoras Regional Park you will find Luokesai Lake. There are numerous lakes in Labanoras, which is home to the densest population of nesting White Stork couples in Europe, but Luokesai is the most beautiful.
It is frequented by the inhabitants of the nearby town of Molėtai, who love its clear water and tranquil setting. But there is more to this lake than the beauty of nature; archaeologists have discovered that the lake hides the secrets of forgotten civilisations on its bed. The lake is over 40 metres deep in parts, and for the past decade, archaeologists have been diving into its depths in order to study the Stone and Bronze Ages settlements that lurk below.
Wisent Reserve of Panevėžys
The largest land dwelling wild animal in Europe is the European bison, also known as the wisent. These 3 metre long shaggy beasts resemble American Buffalo and can grow to 2 metres high, weighing over a ton. If you are very lucky, you might encounter one in the vast wilds of Lithuania, but an easier (and perhaps safer) option is the The Pašiliai wisent breeding reservoir in Panevėžys.
There are 22 wisents on the 50 hectare reserve as well as an additional 50 which walk freely through the surrounding forests. The reserve was started in the late sixties, after the wisent had been extinct in Lithuania for 50 years. Lithuania does not have the type of huge forests required for larger herds of wisent to survive, so their numbers are controlled in this area.
Desert like Dunes of the Curonian Spit
The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO world heritage site, sometimes described as the Sahara of the North. The narrow sandy peninsula is only 2km wide but stretches 98km and boasts huge sand dunes. The Curonian Spit has been a famous tourist destination for over a hundred years and was particularly popular with Germans in the 19th century. It was dotted with picturesque fishing villages, 10 of which are known to have been consumed by the moving dunes. The movement of the dunes has been somewhat contained due to pine forest planting in the 19th century.
The lagoon side village of Neringa is the most popular resort in the area. Its lagoon coasts are lined with quaint wooden fishermen’s houses, often with thatched roofs. The fishing industry isn’t as large as it was, so most of these are now guesthouses and restaurants.
Dzūkija National Park
Dzūkija is the biggest National Park in Lithuania. Over 90% of the 697km2 park is forested and the vast woodlands are home to an abundance of wildlife, including 54 mammal species and 198 bird species. Human population density is comparatively sparse, with only 2 people per square kilometre.
Hiking, camping and kayaking are popular activities as well as berry and mushroom picking. There are 6 main walking routes and over 30 rivers and streams for kayakers. The more intrepid can drive to key locations and then explore the deep forests on foot, but be sure you don’t get lost!
Tom Rowsell is a seasoned traveler, writer, film maker and nature lover from England.
Costa Rica was our home for 5 amazing years and we were able to experience so much of the country in that time. I assume most of you, though, do not have 5 years to spend exploring and determining what is and is not worth your time. If you only have a week or a month in the country it can be daunting to determine what you should be sure to do. So we have put together a list of 10 experiences in Costa Rica you don't want to miss!
There are, of course, many spots to explore and amazing experiences to be had on top of this list, but these are some of the top picks in our opinion.
Soar over the jungle in Monteverde
Monteverde is my absolute favorite spot in the entire country. It is an area ripe with beautiful rain forests, mystical cloud forests, stunning views of Volcan Arenal, and more hiking opportunities than you could possibly fit into a visit. But perhaps one of the most exhilarating and breathtaking experiences is taking a Costa Rican canopy tour. Imagine soaring through the air above the canopy where you can experience adventure, nature, and education all in one trip. It is as if you are a bird soaring over the jungle. Costa Rica offers perhaps the best nature and wildlife in the world so it is the perfect spot to fly. This will most definitely be an experience you will never forget!
Tip: Don't forget closed toed shoes. Easy to do in a place like Costa Rica and you usually will not be allowed to zip line if you don't have safe shoes.
Visit sloths at the sanctuary in Cahuita
Another area of the country that should not be missed is the Caribbean side. Stunning beaches, secluded tranquility, and wildlife galore is what this area offers and is simultaneously why it should not be overlooked. One of the best experiences we had in the area was visiting the sloth sanctuary in Cahuita, where they rescue and nurse back to life injured or abandoned sloths. With all the new development in the country sloths have been increasingly injured on power lines and on the roadways and this generous organization does its best to rehabilitate and either, release back to the wild or care for them the rest of their lives. A worthwhile organization to support!
Tip: You can also do a really cool canal boat tour right behind the sanctuary so ask about that as well!
Listen to the grumbles of Volcan Arenal
No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without viewing the majestic Arenal volcano. It is one of the 5 active volcanoes in the country but the only one that is a perfect stratovolcano. The entire area is beautiful with hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, and a stunning freshwater lake. If you visit at the right time you can lay in bed at night watching the lava glow down the sides of the volcano and hear the tumbling rocks and rumbles from within.
Tip: Be sure to hike the La Fortuna waterfall and visit one of the hot springs. The less popular the spot the more affordable and tranquil it will be. Ask the local ticos!
Swim in a secret waterfall
One thing that the lush vegetation and the 6 month long rainy season will give you is one magnificent waterfall after another. In our small mountain town of Atenas we stumbled upon one and it ended up being one of our favorite spots to hang out by! Ask around and you'll find many to choose from.
Tip: Los Chorros in the Grecia area is not exactly secret but there were never crowds when we visited and it's great fun.
Watch monkeys scamper along the beach in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is both a great little tourist town and a beautiful beach location. At the far end of town you will find the national park where all ages can enjoy the calm waters. The best part of the park, though, is all the wildlife spotting that can be done. We have seen large marine and land iguanas, anteaters, coatis, sloths, and of course the white faced capuchin monkeys. They come out around lunch time and run wild along the beaches and the paths that surround the park.
Tip: Be careful! Monkeys are cute and fun to watch but they are out there for your food. They will rifle through your belongings and steal anything that looks good so keep a good watch.
Peer into an active crater at Volcan Poas
Volcan Poas located about 1 hour from the town of Grecia is another one of the 5 active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The great thing about both Poas and Irazu (located closer to San Jose), aside from how lovely they are, is the accessibility. You drive up and park within 1/2 mile of the crater making it accessible to nearly everyone. There you can marvel at the various craters, some filled with colorful water, and if your lucky it will even have a small eruption while you are standing there watching. Don't worry though, they are mostly harmless.
Tip: If you have the time head over to La Paz waterfall gardens located nearby. They have loads of great animal exhibits, cultural experiences, and of course, waterfalls!
Go to a Tope
Nothing says Costa Rican culture like a Tope! If you don't know already a Tope is basically a horse parade and there seems to be one every other weekend someplace in the country. Now it may not seem very exciting but some of the best times we have had were celebrating and laughing among locals in the streets watching one of these parades. If you get a chance try and see one, bonus points of you can catch an evening parade where the antics of the riders overshadows the horses themselves!
Tip: There is regular time and then there is Tico time. When going to a parade, or any function that is similar, expect it to start at least 1 hour after the time it was supposed to start. We once went to a tope that started 3 hours later then was advertised. Pura Vida and bring drinks!
Watch a sunset in Playa Samara
All of the pacific side beaches offer beautiful sunsets but we have never seen such vibrant colors as in the sunsets we watched in Playa Samara. It is a large beach and easy to find a peaceful spot to string up a hammock and enjoy. On top of that it happens to be one of our favorite beaches in the country.
Tip: Playa Samara is one of the best spots to go deep sea fishing or head out to see some dolphins on a tour, but bargain hard. They start out way above the fee they will accept. I once got a dolphin boat ride for 90% off the starting asking price.
Visit the Children's museum in San Jose
Sometimes even when you are in a beautiful country you need to have a bit of familiarity for children. This can be found (although lots of the writing is in Spanish only) at the Museo De Los Ninos. Located in an old prison, so sort of cool for that alone, this is a hands on experiential museum that our kids loved visiting. I think its something like $3 to get in and provides hours of fun so well worth it if you have the time. There are earthquake platforms, helicopters to explore, planes to "fly", banana plantations to run, and a full grocery store complete with shopping lists, pretend food, and a cashier.
Tip: San Jose is full of unique little museums to explore. While in the area why not try out the Gold museum as well?! Not as much fun as the children's museum but my kids thought all the gold artifacts were really cool.
Take a road trip through the Orosi Valley
The Orosi valley is probably the most under utilized area in the country. We took a road trip out there for 2 days and had an incredible time. If you have enough time in your itinerary it is definitely worth a day or 2's visit. Heading out of San Jose you first hit Cartago (the old capital) where you can marvel at the Our lady of the Basilica church, a beautifully constructed church that is the end point of a yearly pilgrimage in Costa Rica. There are also ruins to explore in Cartago and in the small towns surrounding it, as massive earthquakes flattened the area years ago.
Also in the area are some stunning botanical gardens, the Orosi church (the oldest church in Costa Rica that is still in use today), the Cachi dam, hot springs, and loads of amazing vistas to take in.
Tip: If you can stay the night I would do so, there is just so much to explore. Many of the hotels in the area have natural hot ponds that make for a peaceful reprieve after hiking around or sitting in the car most of the day!
Soar over the jungle in Monteverde
 |
| Wiki image |
Tip: Don't forget closed toed shoes. Easy to do in a place like Costa Rica and you usually will not be allowed to zip line if you don't have safe shoes.
Visit sloths at the sanctuary in Cahuita
Another area of the country that should not be missed is the Caribbean side. Stunning beaches, secluded tranquility, and wildlife galore is what this area offers and is simultaneously why it should not be overlooked. One of the best experiences we had in the area was visiting the sloth sanctuary in Cahuita, where they rescue and nurse back to life injured or abandoned sloths. With all the new development in the country sloths have been increasingly injured on power lines and on the roadways and this generous organization does its best to rehabilitate and either, release back to the wild or care for them the rest of their lives. A worthwhile organization to support!
Tip: You can also do a really cool canal boat tour right behind the sanctuary so ask about that as well!
Listen to the grumbles of Volcan Arenal
No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without viewing the majestic Arenal volcano. It is one of the 5 active volcanoes in the country but the only one that is a perfect stratovolcano. The entire area is beautiful with hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, and a stunning freshwater lake. If you visit at the right time you can lay in bed at night watching the lava glow down the sides of the volcano and hear the tumbling rocks and rumbles from within.
Tip: Be sure to hike the La Fortuna waterfall and visit one of the hot springs. The less popular the spot the more affordable and tranquil it will be. Ask the local ticos!
Swim in a secret waterfall
One thing that the lush vegetation and the 6 month long rainy season will give you is one magnificent waterfall after another. In our small mountain town of Atenas we stumbled upon one and it ended up being one of our favorite spots to hang out by! Ask around and you'll find many to choose from.
Tip: Los Chorros in the Grecia area is not exactly secret but there were never crowds when we visited and it's great fun.
Watch monkeys scamper along the beach in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is both a great little tourist town and a beautiful beach location. At the far end of town you will find the national park where all ages can enjoy the calm waters. The best part of the park, though, is all the wildlife spotting that can be done. We have seen large marine and land iguanas, anteaters, coatis, sloths, and of course the white faced capuchin monkeys. They come out around lunch time and run wild along the beaches and the paths that surround the park.
Tip: Be careful! Monkeys are cute and fun to watch but they are out there for your food. They will rifle through your belongings and steal anything that looks good so keep a good watch.
Peer into an active crater at Volcan Poas
Volcan Poas located about 1 hour from the town of Grecia is another one of the 5 active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The great thing about both Poas and Irazu (located closer to San Jose), aside from how lovely they are, is the accessibility. You drive up and park within 1/2 mile of the crater making it accessible to nearly everyone. There you can marvel at the various craters, some filled with colorful water, and if your lucky it will even have a small eruption while you are standing there watching. Don't worry though, they are mostly harmless.
Tip: If you have the time head over to La Paz waterfall gardens located nearby. They have loads of great animal exhibits, cultural experiences, and of course, waterfalls!
Go to a Tope
Nothing says Costa Rican culture like a Tope! If you don't know already a Tope is basically a horse parade and there seems to be one every other weekend someplace in the country. Now it may not seem very exciting but some of the best times we have had were celebrating and laughing among locals in the streets watching one of these parades. If you get a chance try and see one, bonus points of you can catch an evening parade where the antics of the riders overshadows the horses themselves!
Tip: There is regular time and then there is Tico time. When going to a parade, or any function that is similar, expect it to start at least 1 hour after the time it was supposed to start. We once went to a tope that started 3 hours later then was advertised. Pura Vida and bring drinks!
Watch a sunset in Playa Samara
All of the pacific side beaches offer beautiful sunsets but we have never seen such vibrant colors as in the sunsets we watched in Playa Samara. It is a large beach and easy to find a peaceful spot to string up a hammock and enjoy. On top of that it happens to be one of our favorite beaches in the country.
Tip: Playa Samara is one of the best spots to go deep sea fishing or head out to see some dolphins on a tour, but bargain hard. They start out way above the fee they will accept. I once got a dolphin boat ride for 90% off the starting asking price.
Visit the Children's museum in San Jose
Sometimes even when you are in a beautiful country you need to have a bit of familiarity for children. This can be found (although lots of the writing is in Spanish only) at the Museo De Los Ninos. Located in an old prison, so sort of cool for that alone, this is a hands on experiential museum that our kids loved visiting. I think its something like $3 to get in and provides hours of fun so well worth it if you have the time. There are earthquake platforms, helicopters to explore, planes to "fly", banana plantations to run, and a full grocery store complete with shopping lists, pretend food, and a cashier.
Tip: San Jose is full of unique little museums to explore. While in the area why not try out the Gold museum as well?! Not as much fun as the children's museum but my kids thought all the gold artifacts were really cool.
Take a road trip through the Orosi Valley
The Orosi valley is probably the most under utilized area in the country. We took a road trip out there for 2 days and had an incredible time. If you have enough time in your itinerary it is definitely worth a day or 2's visit. Heading out of San Jose you first hit Cartago (the old capital) where you can marvel at the Our lady of the Basilica church, a beautifully constructed church that is the end point of a yearly pilgrimage in Costa Rica. There are also ruins to explore in Cartago and in the small towns surrounding it, as massive earthquakes flattened the area years ago.
Also in the area are some stunning botanical gardens, the Orosi church (the oldest church in Costa Rica that is still in use today), the Cachi dam, hot springs, and loads of amazing vistas to take in.
Tip: If you can stay the night I would do so, there is just so much to explore. Many of the hotels in the area have natural hot ponds that make for a peaceful reprieve after hiking around or sitting in the car most of the day!
If you want more information on life in Costa Rica check out THIS post where I answer all of the most common questions! Or THIS post where I discuss the common misconceptions of life in Costa Rica.
Well here we sit at the end of another fabulous year. It may not have included as much travel as I would have liked but we kept pretty busy exploring every amazing thing we could in Hawaii!
After a beautiful Christmas spent in our own (albeit rented) home, for the first time in 8 years, we embarked on a new year, 2014. The entire year was spent in Hawaii although on various islands, Oahu, Big Island, and Maui.
I had to split the post since I am absolute crap at deciding between my thousands of pictures. Here are the first 6 months of the year captured in beautiful photos (the second batch of photos can be found here):
January
February
.JPG)
March
April
May
June
After a beautiful Christmas spent in our own (albeit rented) home, for the first time in 8 years, we embarked on a new year, 2014. The entire year was spent in Hawaii although on various islands, Oahu, Big Island, and Maui.
I had to split the post since I am absolute crap at deciding between my thousands of pictures. Here are the first 6 months of the year captured in beautiful photos (the second batch of photos can be found here):
January
 |
| Whale watch off of Maui |
  |
| Dylan jumping of South Point, otherwise known as scariest day of my life! |
 |
| Molokini island from above |
 |
| Maui Sheraton resort with my sister in law |
 |
| On top of the world at Mauna Kea |
 |
| Halemaʻumaʻu Crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
 |
| End of the road |
 |
| Kona Beach |
 |
| Can you spot the very long eel?? |
 |
| Beautiful underwater world off Big Island |
April
May
June
 |
| Inside a lava tube |