Month: May 2020

The Oldest City

I depart by train to Varanasi, the oldest colonized city in history, a holy place of Shiva, Buddha, Vishnu, and Brahma.  The ancient city of India is built along the sacred Ganges River with riverfront steps, or ghats, that lead down to the water.  Bodies are cremated here day and

Island Paradise

There are many stunning islands in Thailand.  Ko Tao is one of my favorites and known for its diving explorations right off its shores.  There are reef sharks that live in the sandy flats and coral.  If you know the right spots, you can snorkel above the sharks and watch

The Tibetan Treasure

The town of Leh in northern India is encircled by the mountains and said to have a close resemblance to Tibet.  When the Chinese began their mass genocide, thousands of Buddhist refugees came into the country and India was happy to have them.  The Tibetans make the town the treasure

Wat Tam Wua Monastery

The most remarkable vipassana ashram is in Mae Hong Son city, Thailand.  The forest Monastery is called Wat Tam Wua and is nestled in the forest, surrounded by mountains with streams that wind their way through.  It’s a soothing and surreal environment.  The monk would teach us that we suffer

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