Europe

Falling in Love with the Adriatic

Why Go to Croatia?

Croatia is famous for its beautiful coasts and scenic pebbled beaches with a crystal clear sea and unspoiled nature. The Adriatic Sea has enchanted sea-lovers for a few millennia of nautical history. The country is soaked in its history of the battles for control by the Romans, Illyrians, Venetians and others.

Croatia is smaller than West Virginia, and borders six countries. The weather is nice all-year with mild winters, and the temperature of the Adriatic is mostly constant throughout the year. One of the newest members of the European Union, Croatia has 20 UNESCO Heritage Sites and eight national parks. It is one of the European countries with the most award-winning destinations for sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism. Croatia is a land with a big heart and a feast for the imagination, it is a wonderful holiday destination!

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General Travel Resources

What to Pack for International Trip

If you’re getting ready for an international destination, you probably feel like there’s so much to do, but so little time. Your bags need to be packed, and if you leave something behind that is essential to your needs, you may not be able to find it overseas.

So what to pack? The checklist needs to be broad to cover essentials, but detailed to include  things you may forget.Your destination and how long you will be away will play a part in deciding what you need to pack.

Keep a list of items of absolute essentials to pack for every trip (charger, cleanser, swim suit, sunscreen, etc.). It makes last-minute packing a lot less stressful because there’s always a checklist for reference. It’s always good to have an international travel checklist.

***Be aware of different cultures and their requirements for dress. If you are a woman, and wear skinny jeans and a crop top in many Asian countries, you may be hassled .

My Favorite Things

I love packing cubes, and they have been a life saver for long trips over 30 days, especially if I am moving around a lot. You can divide things into color-coded or sized packing cubes. It’s  super helpful to know exactly where everything is as soon as the suitcase is opened. You can also more them into drawers or a shelf, and instantly be done unpacking and ready to go.

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Essential Packing List

Keep a list of items of essentials to pack for every trip (charger, cleanser, swim suit, sunscreen, etc.).
It makes last-minute packing a lot less stressful because there’s a checklist for reference.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

  • PHOTOCOPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (PASSPORT, VISA, AND TRAVEL INSURANCE)
  • DAYPACK (WITH A WAIST-BELT) FOR HIKING AND DAY EXCURSIONS TO MONASTERIES AND VILLAGES. EXPECT TO CARRY SNACKS, WATER, CAMERA AND A FEW LAYERS.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT HIKING BOOTS/TRAIL SHOES: NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE, WORN-IN, WITH GOOD TREAD. STURDY TRAIL RUNNING SHOES MAY WORK
  • HEADLAMP OR SMALL FLASHLIGHT WITH EXTRA BATTERIES
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ASIA

Calling the Spirits - Baci

BACI CEREMONY – CALLING THE SPIRITS

Baci is an important ceremony in Lao culture, a ritual to celebrate important events and occasions, like births, marriages, monkhood, travel, or ill health and to honour guests. Baci can take place all year, any day before noon or before sunset.

The observance of Baci as a spiritual ceremonial event was prevalent in Laos before Buddhism, when the people of Laos practiced mainly animist traditions. As a result, Baci is not associated with a specific religion. The ritual of Baci involves tying strings around a person’s wrist to preserve good luck. The ceremony is known as Su Kwan ສູ່ຂວັນ, “calling of the soul” and is the belief that Baci is invoked to synchronise the Kwan spirits or “components of the soul.”

Ancient belief in Laos is the human being is a union of 32 organs and that the Kwan watch over and protect us. Kwan are components of the soul, but a bit more abstract in meaning. Kwan are described as: “vital forces, harmony and balance of the body, or part of it”, “private reality of the body, inherent in the life of human and animals from birth,” and “vital breath”.

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Morning Alms in Luang Prabang

INDOCHINA DREAM - Luang Prabang

There is a saying in Asia : Vietnam plants rice, Cambodia harvests rice, Thailand sell rice, and Laotians listen to the rice grow. Laos is the definition of mellow.

The tiny and ancient town of Luang Prabang, the charming and serene spiritual capital of Laos has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

While the rest of Southeast Asia is growing, expanding and modernizing, Laos moves at its own pace, ambling along, taking plenty of time for meditation along the way. Everyone who visits laid-back Laos falls in love with this slow pace of mellow in the Mekong. Since coming in 2009, I fell in love and still have a piece of my hart here!

Nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, amidst a backdrop of jungle-clad mountains, Luang Prabang is a most sacred and scenic spot. Crowned by verdant mountains and housing over 30 Wats (temples), former royal palaces and scenic ponds, it is the cultural nucleus of Laos.

Saffron-robed monks collect their daily alms and ornate temples such as Wat Xieng Thong offer spiritual solace.

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