Most Conversational Travel Posts Of 2009
December 30, 2009 by Gennaro
Filed under Featured, Travel Tips
As 2010 approaches, Enduring Wanderlust has collected its most conversational travel posts for 2009. Feel free to re-visit these articles and offer your thoughts about their content in the comment section. Have a happy and healthy new year.
1. 8 Best Chocolate Shops In NYC
New York City has some of the best chocolate shops in the world. This post offers eight of the best shops.
2. Angkor Wat Through The Lens
Angkor Wat is one of the most beautiful sites in Southeast Asia. It’s one of the primary reasons travelers have Cambodia on their itinerary. Enjoy this look at the site through photographs.
Chocolate Shop: Jacques Torres, New York City
New York City is the home of lots of great pizzerias. It’s a constant debate about which spot has the best pies in the city. See if you agree with the selection.
4. Cusco, Peru: A Photographic Journey
Many travelers journey to Cusco in order to visit Machu Picchu, but the city itself is one of the most enjoyable in South America. This post is a look at the city through photos.
5. Things To Do In NYC (For Free)
New York City is expensive for tourists and locals. This post offers some of the attractions that are available for no charge. Yep, free things to do in NYC.
Irish Pub: McSorley’s, New York City
6. 9 Top Cities, 9 Top Irish Pubs
Irish pubs are plentiful throughout the world. These are some of the more authentic and enjoyable spots to enjoy a libation.
7. Historic Estates Of U.S. Presidents
American presidents have some of the nicest homes to visit. Most offer an educational experience along with a step back into history. The estates in Virginia are particularly impressive.
Women surpassed men in terms of total solo travelers. This post looks at the statistics and reasons for the recent development.
Presidential Home: Monticello, Virginia
9. Recycled Masterpiece: Chandigarh’s Rock Garden
Chandigarh’s [India] Rock Garden is a fascinating garden created from recycled household materials.
10a. Lao Fishermen On The Mekong
This post takes readers into the life of a couple of fisherman from Laos. The photos capture their day on the Mekong River.
10b. 6 Steps To A Lucky Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is a time for a rebirth. This post looks at the steps taken for those looking to have a lucky new year. Chinese New Year falls on February 14, 2010. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
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Lao Fishermen On The Mekong
April 3, 2009 by Gennaro
Filed under Destinations, Featured, Photography
Luang Prabang is a pleasant city in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The city is one of the popular tourist stops in this former French colony. The area is perfectly suited for those seeking outdoor activities or a spiritual journey among local monks. Luang Prabang also finds itself on the Mekong River, which is rich in biodiversity. Fishermen can be viewed perfecting their craft on the shores of the 12th longest river in the world.
Follow this photographic journey featuring two of these fishermen:
Mekong River, Laos © Gennaro Salamone
The Mekong River plays a vital role in the economy of several Southeast Asian countries. Laos is particularly dependent upon it with all their major cities located on the river. Luang Prabang, a north-central city, is a particularly interesting spot for a river voyage or to simply watch locals at work.
Fishermen, Luang Prabang © Gennaro Salamone
The best time to view the fishermen in action is early in the morning. This is when they catch fish for their families or to sell at the various markets. The men working on the river are very friendly, but rarely speak English. Learn a few Lao phrases to break the ice before asking to photograph them.
Fishermen, Luang Prabang © Gennaro Salamone
The condition of their equipment gives some insight into the economics of fishing on the Mekong. Local fisherman often use primative gear that requires a lot of manual labor. That usually makes for a limited catch per day. The men in the photographs remained in the same spot for two hours. They caught six decent-sized fish.
Follow another photographic journey to Pushkar, India.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
Sign up to receive our free content RSS or travel updates by e-mail.
Rock Climbing Over Rice Paddies
January 1, 2009 by Gennaro
Filed under Destinations, Featured
Few activities cause your adrenaline to flow to like rock climbing. The excitement of scaling natural rock formations is accentuated when paired with a unique location. Vang Vieng, Laos provides the perfect combination of scenery and climbing opportunities. The most popular destination for newcomers along with experienced individuals includes a short hike through stunning rice paddies (below) and countless formations.
Rice Paddies, Laos © Gennaro Salamone
Vang Vieng is a standard stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia route. Though there is plenty of space for peaceful contemplation, the center of the town tends to be filled with young travelers enjoying re-runs of Friends and The Simpsons at the various restaurants. The diners often remove their shoes to sit cross-legged at tables encircled with couch-like seating.
That being said, the majority of the wanderers who enter the town are looking to break a sweat. Rock climbing, tubing, and mountain biking are just the beginning of the early morning activities. The cost for 1-3 days of rock climbing depends upon the number of travelers in your group. For up-to-date rates, examine the rates of well-established Green Discovery. If the sound of all that “work” is too much for your holiday, consider an inexpensive ($5-10 per hour) massage in the evenings.
Rock Climbing, Laos © Gennaro Salamone
Be sure to befriend a couple of fellow travelers in Vang Vieng. It is one of the easier places to meet people in Southeast Asia.
Read about meeting Buddhist monks or fishermen in Laos.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
Subscribe to the Enduring Wanderlust RSS or subscribe by e-mail to receive daily travel updates directly to your inbox.
3 Perfect Places To Befriend A Buddhist Monk
December 27, 2008 by Gennaro
Filed under Featured, Spiritual, Travel Tips
1. Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is an enchanting town in Southeast Asia. It has numerous Buddhist Temples (Wats) that are filled with novices and monks practicing their faith. For the traveler, Luang Prabang provides an unmatched opportunity to converse with the novices (individuals who are studying in preparation for full ordination) of the temples. Each day novices study a variety of subjects including language courses. English has become increasingly popular among novices who will either become fully ordained monks or return to Lao society.
The easiest way to build a conversation with novices or monks is to spend a significant amount of time on the grounds of one of the many temples. In most cases you can approach one of its residence and ask a few questions about Buddhism to open a dialogue. After a few minutes, you will be immersed in a discussion about a variety of topics ranging from faith to your homeland.
Luang Prabang has seen a significant growth in tourism over the past few years. Be thoughtful in your approach with the temples and its residence. Remember that this is their place of worship and their home.
Luang Prabang, Laos © Gennaro Salamone
2. Mahabodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya, India
Bodh Gaya, India is where Siddhartha Guatama attained enlightenment. There are few places on earth that match the peacefulness of its Mahabodhi Temple, which was built at the Bodhi tree where the Buddha sat under around 530 BCE. Visitors to hectic India will be particularly relaxed sitting among countless Buddhist monks who make journeys to India to pay respect to the Buddha and to collect falling leaves from the famous Bodhi tree.
If you’re lucky, you may be meditating next to the singing Thai monk who visits the temple regularly. He happens to have an affinity for tying Western music to Buddhist philosophy. You will likely hear: “keep smilin’, keep shinin’.” Knowin’ you can always count of me, for sure” or “let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.” The great philosopher will also help you deal with India’s stifling heat with his little bottle of Thai Ang Ki, which cools your skin when added to a sprinkling of water.
Mahabodhi Temple © Gennaro Salamone
3. Vang Vieng, Laos
If you can remove yourself from the crowds of young backpackers who are rock climbing, tubing down the river, and watching Friends re-runs in the restaurants of the city, Vang Vieng offers an opportunity to learn a lot about the life of Buddhist monks. You can wake up at the crack of dawn to donate food stuffs to the lines of novices along the main street of the town collecting for their temples’ lunch. Later, it’s possible to attend prayer sessions at the local wats. At one temple, the monks invited us to partake in the prayer ritual along with subtle lessons in etiquette.
There were fewer novices and monks who spoke English than at Luang Prabang, but an equal number of smiling faces ready to greet travelers who are interesting in Lao culture or Buddhist teaching. If you’re seeking detailed explanations about Buddhism consider asking for the monk, at the main residency, who teaches English to novices.
Read about rock climbing in Laos or the six steps to a luck Chinese New Year.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
Subscribe to the Enduring Wanderlust RSS or subscribe by e-mail to receive daily travel updates directly to your inbox.
