Archive for the ‘Hiking & Walking’ Category

Old Quarter Hanoi

My Vietnamese guide Su Xuan lead me through the narrow alleyways of the Old quarter of Hanoi, pointing out the astonishing variety of street food delicacies from vendors’ stalls spilling out onto the pavement.  A blend of sweet, sour, and savory aromas overwhelmed me just as much as the need to be vigilant as we maneuvered through the congested street maze, along with motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians, and cyclos. The street food scene in Old Hanoi was just the beginning. Before arriving in Vietnam, I had heard that Vietnamese cuisine was something to write home about. So what better way to get to know the culture, than to experiment with the local food? And this was truly as local as you could get.

Night Street Food Market

Su Xuan pointed to tropical fruits such as guavas, lychees, passion fruit, and jackfruit, as well as to exotic items like banana blossoms and lotus flower stems used in fresh green papaya salads. Colorful herbs and spices such as tamarind, local chilies, mustard, and lemongrass spread out in woven baskets on the ground, next to piles of homemade rice cakes, fresh spring rolls, and Banh xeo, crispy pork and shrimp pancakes. We continued past barbeque stalls spinning out skewers of chicken, pork, and freshly caught fish to queues of locals eyeing these tasty snacks. Despite some unsavory items catching my eye, I was building up the courage to experiment as my appetite set in. Su Xuan grabbed my hand and swiftly pulled me off the street and through a low doorway, motioning for me to follow her up a somewhat drab-looking stairway. The carved wooden sign outside read Cha Ca, which I recognized as a provincial dish of Hanoi, one I had been told I must try.

Fresh Pickled Vegetables

We ducked into the crowded restaurant and sat at low-lying tables, next to many other locals who had recently poured in for their lunch break. There is no menu at Cha Ca, as there is only one dish. Soon enough our server brought out a sizzling fry pan of onions and chile in oil and set it on the table over a small propane burner, along with a side bowl of a mix of fresh greens and herbs, several chile-fish dipping sauces and a bowl of thin rice noodles. Several minutes later, the fresh fish came out and was thrown into the pan, along with a handful of the herbs. Before I knew it, Su Xaun was using her chopsticks to dip the lightly fried fish and greens in the side sauces and mixing it with the rice noodles. I eagerly followed suit.

It was culinary experiences such as this day in Hanoi which provided me with insights into the daily life of locals during my recent journey to Vietnam. I found myself relishing in the regional differences in Vietnamese cuisine as I traveled the breadth of the country from north to south. Every steaming bowl of Pho, fresh rice paper spring roll, sweet and juicy tropical fruit, and tasty cup of Vietnamese coffee truly brought me closer to understanding the culture.

Interested in learning more about travel to Vietnam with Boundless Journeys? Please contact me at Ashley@boundlessjourneys.com, or call  1-800-941-8010. I’d love to hear from you!

About Boundless Journeys Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

Warm and inviting accommodations

The food, wine, sea, countryside and ancient archeological sites of Southern Sicily make the boutique hotel La Foresteria the perfect place in which to experience all the very best of the island, both past and present. Situated in the countryside of Menfi, the estate stands on a hill overlooking the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, with views of the Mediterranean. La Foresteria, is a new hotel and yet, at the same time, one deeply rooted in the history and customs of the land on which it has been built.

The contemporary feel at La Foresteria is carefully mixed with bright colors and warm woods giving one the feeling of being in a private home. Traditional blue and yellow ceramics from nearby Burgio and Caltagirone, along with antique furniture, provide a shabby-chic feel, and private terraces allow expansive views of rolling vineyards and medicinal herb gardens.

The spectacular infinity pool

At the end of a day on the trail, the infinity pool invites complete relaxation, and an ideal spot from where to admire some of the island’s most spectacular sunsets. In La Foresteria’s kitchen, the passion for the local countryside and the good food and wine produced here result in superlative Sicilian cuisine, served al fresco on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Here we enjoy a cooking class, held in the hotel’s large professional teaching kitchen, as well as the sublime wines produced by the owners of La Foresteria, the Planeta family. We gain insight into production of Planeta wines with a tour of the nearby Ulmo winery and a sampling of their best vintages.

Spend two nights in this enchanting hotel on Boundless Journeys’ Italy: Ancient Sicily tour, and return to an oasis of calm at the end of the day.

Join us in Sicily, May 11-18 or September 22-29, and experience La Foresteria for yourself. For more information, please call 1-800-941-8010, or email Deborah@boundlessjourneys.com.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

Ahhhh . . . Sicily. I had the pleasure of joining a Boundless Journeys tour to Sicily just a couple of weeks ago. Truly unforgettable moments are now ingrained on my mind as I dream of the incredible pastries we enjoyed, the immense archeological sites we visited, the countryside walks with breathtaking views of the sea, and the palpable energy of the local people.

We were picked up in the busy city of Palermo and began our drive through the Iato Valley. Along the way we had our very first of many Sicilian cappacinos and cannoli. I cannot explain to you the sweetness or richness of these cannoli, made fresh that morning, but my mouth still waters when I think of them.

Our morning walk led us to ancient ruins which do not exist on typical itineraries. We stumbled upon them up on a mountain top and had the entire place to ourselves. Here time seemed to have stopped at a certain moment in the past, enabling us to imagine those who found their home here thousands of years ago.

From here we continued to the town of Erice, with charming old stone streets and medieval churches. Standing atop a mountain (around 750 meters above sea level), overlooking nearby Trapani and the beaches of San Vito Lo Capo, Erice is almost always shrouded in fog. Today, we were lucky, blue skies prevailed. This evening we were treated to a very special aperitif and dinner at our boutique hotel in the center of town.

Our walk on Day 2 took us to the Mount Cofano Reserve. We walked up and over the saddle of Mount Cofano. As we descended, incredible views of an ancient tuna factory and the Mediterranean Sea came into view. Upon reaching the water we dipped our feet into the sea and enjoyed Italian pastries made with sweet almond paste.

This afternoon we visited the Archeological Park of Segesta. Here we sat in the remains of a majestic amphitheater while two Boundless Journeys guests spontaneously performed for us. Imagining we were one of the 4,000 spectators who sat here in ancient days, we applauded their efforts, while taking in the breathtaking panorama of the sea. Later we returned to our hotel in time to take a swim in the infinity pool, overlooking miles of vineyards, before continuing on to our beachfront seafood restaurant for dinner.

Day 3 brought a beautiful walk through the region surrounding the village of Caltabellotta. As we strolled through the countryside we tasted figs, quince, almonds, and walnuts found along the trail. We arrived at our lunch spot in time to help the cook make pasta for our lunch. While he put the finishing touches on our meal, we had the pleasure of dipping our feet in the on-site pool, while enjoying figs and grapes with a fresh glass of Prosecco. Lunch was an event with fresh pasta and sausage, followed by a tower of cannoli accented with bitter orange peel. Afterwards, we returned to our hotel for some rest and relaxation before joining the owner of our hotel for a cooking class. We learned how to make caponata, along with breaded veal, and panella (fried chick pea bread). Afterwards we enjoyed a wine tasting dinner at our hotel, La Foresteria, one of the largest wine producers in Sicily.

The following day we explored the Archeological Park of Selinunte. At 1700 square meters, it is the largest archeological park in Europe. After only two hundred years of history, the remains of the city are still an imposing presence.

This evening we visited perhaps my favorite town on the tour, Castelbuono. Here we were immersed in the local experience. Groups of Italian men were seated outside of their “clubs”, and women looked down from windows above. Many people were at Mass and groups of teenagers hung out on the church steps. There appeared to be no other visitors than ourselves. After a refreshing drink in the center of town, we enjoyed pizza at a local restaurant.

Day 5 brought us to the interior Madonie Mountains, where we enjoyed a hike to a mountain top with sweeping views of Castelbuono and the valley below. Afterwards, we enjoyed a tour of the winery at our hotel. We were also enthralled by our guide, Gianni, who played the flute for us in a small church. Listening to our geologist guide playing Ava Maria on the flute was an enlightening experience.

The next day we explored Cefalù, a lively town on the Tyrrhenian Sea. We enjoyed lunch at a waterfront restaurant. Homemade gelato was the perfect compliment to the large antipasta salads we enjoyed.

Our final day in Sicily was no less incredible than all the others. We hiked through lava fields and immense forests on Mt. Etna. Our guide, with a bottle of wine in his pack, carried a picnic for us to enjoy along the way. Dinner this evening was exquisitely served to us on a rooftop overlooking the town of Taormina – a perfect conclusion to our Italian experience.

Perhaps because it is an island, or perhaps because Sicilian’s consider themselves impregnable to outsiders, Sicily is an experience unlike any other I have had in Italy. From flamboyant cathedrals, to immense Greek temples, to ancient lava flows, and sweet pastries, the past is present in the smallest details. As J.W. Goethe wrote in Journey to Italy, “To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to have not seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.”

The diverse and colorful country of Costa Rica has a lot to offer the adventure seeking, nature loving traveler.

Ziplining through the treetop canopy, kayaking the wildlife rich canals of Tortuguero, hiking in the vibrant rainforest, and white water rafting down a world class river, are some of the activities you can enjoy on a Boundless Journeys adventure.

As hard as we play during the day, we also value time to relax after a long day of exciting adventures. A soak in the low-key, laid-back Eco Termales Hot Springs, a much appreciated stop on all of our group tours, provides a time-out for your body and mind.

Eco Termales in the La Fortuna area does not accept more than 100 visitors at a time and is geared toward privacy. It’s one of the smallest hot springs in the Arenal Volcano area. This retreat, surrounded by lush green gardens, has been a labor of love for the Manolo Hidalgo family, which has spent years building and caring for the resort. There are seven relaxing hot spring pools, including one with a waterfall reaching temperatures up to 105 F.

Join one of Boundless Journeys group tours and experience this natural sanctuary for yourself.

Nature’s Richness Revealed; Upcoming tours: Dec 23–30, 2012, Feb 9–16, 2013, Mar 16–23, 2013

Highlands to the Coast Family Adventure; Upcoming tours: Dec 26, 2012–Jan 1, 2013, Feb 17–23, 2013, Apr 14–20, 2013

Coast to Coast Multisport; Upcoming tours: Jan 19–26, 2013, Mar 02–09, 2013

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

 - Ashley Morton, Boundless Journeys

I had the fortunate opportunity to travel to Peru recently on a research trip to discover some new trails for Boundless Journeys. The first stop was the tiny airport of Puerto Maldanado and jumping off point for navigating the jungles and waterways of the Amazon River Basin. We were greeted by howler monkeys, capybaras, toucans, and caimans to list just some of the great diversity of wildlife that make their home in the private preserve surrounding Reserva Amazonica, our jungle retreat for the next few days. Each and every moment in the Amazon was exciting and memorable – from waking early to the sun illuminating the mist rising off the Madre de Dios river and paddling a dugout canoe in search of black caimens and giant river otters on remote lake Sandoval, to traversing the jungle canopy by swinging foot bridges, and venturing out on a night jungle walk while learning about the constellations of the southern hemisphere.

From the Amazon, we flew to the heights of the Andes to explore the ancient Inca city of Cusco and the pathways of the Sacred Valley, and of course to discover the magnificent sight of Machu Picchu nestled in mountains of remote cloud forests. We were fortunate to visit during the time of year where festivals abound. The cobblestone streets of Cusco, lined with impressive Incan stone walls and Spanish colonial cathedrals, were brimming with pilgrims from the far reaches of the Sacred Valley gathering for the famous annual festival of Corpus Christi. Feasting on typical dishes at long wooden picnic tables, fiesta-goers looked on as the famous Corpus Christi parade, featuring a mix of Incan and Chrisitian traditions, unfolded in the main Plaza de Armas. The energy of the event was contagious and shed light onto the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Peru.

After traveling the pathways and experiencing the highlights featured in our Peru trips with Boundless Journeys’ guide Harry Cavero (native of the Sacred Valley), and also discovering some more off the beaten path villages and hikes, I have returned to our home office with some new and exciting ideas for activities that we will weave into our Peru journeys. If you would like to experience Peru with us please contact Karen Cleary, Peru destination manager at 1-800-941-8010 or email Karen@boundlessjourneys.com.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

Traveling on a Boundless Journeys family adventure with the kids introduces them to a world of discovery and the great outdoors.

If your kids love wildlife, you might consider joining our Costa Rica: Highlands to the Coast Family Adventure, or a cruise to the Galapagos Islands. We also offer a land-based tour to the Galapagos Islands for those families who prefer to stay in hotels each evening. Another great option to consider – a family safari. Visit our Private Collection online for a glimpse of all of the private tours we can plan for your family, or consider joining one of the tours below:

Costa Rica: Highlands to the Coast Family Adventure

December 26, 2012 – January 01, 2013. From $2995 per person (kids rates available).

Howler monkeys, jungle-like rainforest, lava-spewing volcanoes, hot springs, crescent shaped beaches, and a huge variety of entertaining wildlife will provide memories for your family to last a lifetime. On this 7-day tour we hike, raft, zip, and canoe from the Highlands of Arenal to the Pacific Coast of Manuel Antonio. With kid friendly guides, pools at every hotel, and plenty of options and flexibility Boundless Journeys makes it easy to enjoy what a family vacation should be all about – quality time and a whole lot of fun and adventure.

Ecuador: Explorer’s Galapagos

Private 7-day tour offered on dates of your choice. From $3995 per person.

This naturalist led land-based tour will introduce you and your children to the many unique wonders of coastal Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, with the comfort of charming seaside accommodations each night. Snorkel with sea lions, tropical fish and penguins, kayak with marine turtles, visit with giant tortoises, and learn about wildlife conservation and natural history. Leave the text books and Discovery channel at home, and watch your children marvel at the world in front of them.

Ecuador: The Galapagos Islands

Cruises offered most weeks of the year. From $3890 per person.

Your naturalist-led cruise introduces you to many wonders that are unique to the Galapagos Islands. Visit blue-footed boobies, land iguanas basking in the sun, lively sea lions, and families of penguins, among many other diverse species. This active family adventure allows you to discover the Galapagos from many different perspectives. Enjoy snorkeling with sea lions, walking on volcanic islands, paddling kayaks through peaceful mangrove lagoons, strolling bare-footed along sun drenched beaches, or simply lying back and relaxing in the equatorial sun. Choose one of our deluxe yachts, your dates of travel, and let Boundless Journeys do the rest.

Tanzania: Migration Safari

December 23, 2012 – January 1, 2013. $6795 per person (kids rates available).

This Migration Safari takes in the wonders of Tanzania at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to come to understand what has drawn travelers to East Africa for generations. Boundless Journeys’ safaris are carefully planned to correspond to important times in the annual migration, and no matter when you go, their tented camps and well-located lodges allow you to be close to the action. Whether you come for the wildlife, the scenery, or the culture, it is the things that are impossible to predict – a pride of lionesses on the hunt, or a rainbow breaking over a herd of elephants, or the thrilled grin of a child for the simple gift of a pencil – that will stay with you and your kids long after you leave Tanzania.

For more information, call our friendly trip specialists at 1-800-941-8010, or send us an e-mail to info@boundlessjourneys.com.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

The spectacular landscapes of Southern Patagonia offer epic hiking through a wealth of natural treasures. From the granite towers and snow-capped peaks of Chile’s Torres Del Paine, to the unique rock spires and massive ice fields of Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, we discover the rugged beauty of this remote part of the world.

This 11-day Patagonia hiking trip begins in the small fishing town of Puerto Natalas. From here, we transfer to our lodge in the heart of Torres Del Paine National Park. With expert local guides we trek to the French Valley, the base of the renown Towers, and beautiful glacial lakes.

After 3 full days in the park we drive across the pamapas to El Chalten – a small mountain village located within Los Glaciares National Park. Ideally positioned at the foot of Mount Fitzroy and Cerro Torre, El Chalten is known as the trekking capital of Argentina. Here we encounter the breathtaking granite spires of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy.

Our adventure concludes in El Calafate with an excursion to the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, whose awesome headwall continually calves massive blocks of ice into the lake with a thunderous roar.

Days on the trail are complemented by charming accommodations, plentiful seafood, and distinctive wines. Come be exhilarated by the scenic masterpiece of Patagonia!

Chile & Argentina: Southern Patagonia
2013 Departures: Feb. 3–13, Dec. 1–11; Land Cost: $5,995 per person, based on double occupancy.

For more information call our Chile Trip Specialist at 1-800-941-8010 or email Deborah@boundlessjourneys.com.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

At Boundless Journeys, we often find ourselves chatting with potential travelers about where to go next. While our diverse collection of trips really does represent The World’s Great Adventures, each one being a worthy destination in its own right, there are five places I have found myself suggesting over and over again as one of THE places to go in the coming year.

Egypt
I know, Egypt has gotten some pretty poor coverage in the media lately, but as anyone who has ventured there since the Arab Spring will tell you, it is magical to witness the temples and tombs of the pharaohs in relative solitude. With presidential elections in May and June, there will be plenty of time for any dust to settle before the ideal traveling season begins again in November. Ask about special pricing to join our November 10-17 Nile Exploration.

Spain
Like much of Europe, the people of Spain have been feeling the strain of a weak European economy. We often talk about how traveling dollars can lift the economies and lives of developing countries, but in this case the same can be said for travel to Spain – or anywhere in Europe – in 2012.

Myanmar
Perhaps no destination has emerged in the past 10 years with more buzz than Myanmar, aka Burma. Its relative isolation from the changes that have swept the globe in recent decades have allowed it to rise to the top of our list of places to “get to before it changes”. Boundless Journeys’ staffer, Ashley Morton, spent part of the winter traveling the waterways and paths of Myanmar in search of the most unique and rewarding experiences this country has to offer. If you are interested in knowing more, send Ashley an e-mail at ashley@boundlessjourneys.com.

Peru
As a classic destination that never fails to entrance travelers with its vibrant culture, spectacular scenery, and iconic Inca ruins, most people who travel to Peru want to spend at least a day hiking on the Inca trail into Machu Picchu. Permits are required and issued first-come, first-served, and are non-transferable. In other words, once they are gone for the dates you want, they are gone. Plan ahead if you want to travel to Peru this year – permits are still available for most dates from September-December, but they are going fast!

Tour du Mont Blanc
For those who love a great hiking tour, and want the sense of accomplishment that comes from circumnavigating Western Europe’s highest mountain on foot, we’ve always known that our hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc is hard to beat. But since National Geographic Traveler named our trip as one of their 2012 “50 Tours of a Lifetime”, everyone else knows it too! We still have limited space on our June 23-July 1, July 14-22, and August 25-September 2 departures, but don’t delay as trips are quickly filling!

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

You may have caught wind of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, a Southeast Asian nation that is emerging from relative isolation and entering onto the global stage. If you are an adventurous traveler and someone looking for an experience out of the ordinary, there’s reason to turn your attention to this place. I’ve just visited Myanmar to develop a tour for Boundless Journeys and here’s a little snap shot of my ten-day journey.

Arrival in Yangon
I was anticipating sprawled human settlement to appear outside my ovular plane window as we began our descent into Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, an estimated population of 3 million people. But as far as the eye could see, there were verdant rice fields, farmhouses and ancient Pagodas – Buddhist shrines- dotting the landscape. I realized then that I was in for something extraordinary.

Artisans of Mandalay
Venturing through the artisan districts of Mandalay, you encounter stonecutters covered from head to toe in white stone dust from carving, cutting and polishing marble Buddha statues. Gold beaters, use heavy wooden mallets to pound by hand thousands of individual paper-thin gold leaf plates destined for the monasteries and pagodas throughout Myanmar. Rather than using a clock, they measure time by putting a half coconut shell in water, and when it sinks (after about 30mins) this indicates they have completed one of numerous rounds of pounding. Women weave sliver and gold sequence-studded tapestries, using care with each minute detail. They all seem casual, but focused and content with their work. Each of these trades is passed down through the generations and remains vibrant to this day.

Invitation for a massage
As I made my way through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of buyers and sellers at the local Jade market in Mandalay, I happened upon an opening where onlookers encircled two men sitting cross-legged on the ground: one, a traditional healer, and the other a layman. The healer was rubbing his hands on an assembled mass of various animals’ horns and specimens doused in aromatic oil. He sucked some substance from one of the horns and then proceeded to forcefully contort the patients’ back, while blowing on specific areas. The crowd seemed to take lightly the grunts of discomfort coming from the patient. Being the only foreigner, my curiosity drew too much attention and upon completion the healer motioned to me, as if I were next in queue. I shook my head with a courteous smile and then quickly slipped back into the labyrinth of the market stalls.

River Trading
The Irrawaddy River winds its’ way from north to south of the country and remains a major trade and transportation route for much of Myanmar today. A cruise down the Irrawaddy from Mandalay to Bagan, gives you a unique glimpse into life on the river. Small fishing villages inhabit the shoreline, large barges transport foodstuffs and export goods, laborers carry gravel by in bamboo baskets perched on their heads, pottery villages make use of the abundant clay on the river delta, and ancient ruins and temples are a constant feature of the land. All sense of time is lost as you make your way down the Irrawaddy.

Arriving in the Ancient Capital
I’ve never been the seafaring kind, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of arriving at a port of an unknown land. As I hobbled ashore in Bagan, attempting to shake off my sea legs, I felt wonderment for what lay ahead. Thousands of pagodas dating back to the 11th to 12th centuries are scattered throughout the landscape of deep red earth, encircled by distant, hazy blue hills. I explored by horse and carriage, still a main means of transport for villagers. As I meandered on dirt pathways interconnecting the ancient temples, discovering their elaborate frescos and golden Buddha statues, ancient Bagan came alive, enhanced by my guide’s tales of the extravagant and at times volatile kingdom. I concluded my day watching the large, rounded fiery sun setting behind the countless monuments spread over Bagan’s misty plains.

Leg Rowers of Inle Lake
My leg rower was wearing an Aung San Suu Kyi t-shirt. I wasn’t quite sure what to be more curious about: What this political figure, who has been the leader of the democracy movement in Burma since 1990, meant to this young man who has grown up in the remote, backwaters of Inle Lake. Or, how he precariously stood on the bow’s upper ledge with his left leg, while simultaneously wrapping his right leg around a wooden oar and deftly propelling the boat forward. This method of leg-rowing has been used for centuries, allowing them advantageous viewing of the fish in the waters beneath them, while also freeing up a hand as they cast their nets. I pondered how my leg-rower seemed to be balancing in two worlds: the tradition of fishing he learned from his father and the desire for political freedom.

Merit and Hospitality
The land is bucolic, the history rich, and the culture vibrant, but in my opinion it is the people of Myanmar that really win you over. Hospitality to the people of Myanmar is something woven into their daily lives. They believe that if you take a stranger in, you will accumulate merit for your next life. There was not a village that I visited where I was not extended an invitation into a home for a cup of tea, or a meal.

Blessing
Near the end of my visit, while I was wandering through the stalls of a local market, I came across two Buddhist nuns (one just a girl and the other an elder) dressed in their traditional pink robes, walking barefoot, each carrying a modestly-sized basket. They were collecting food donations from the various vendors and lay folk for their daily meal. After buying some grapes from a nearby vendor, I gestured to the nuns and placed a small amount in each of their alms baskets. The elderly nun bowed to me and said something in Burmese. I turned to my guide for a translation, and she told me the nun had blessed me. She asked that I have a successful journey through Myanmar, that I have richness and peace in my life, and that I may always have protectors looking after me.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.

by Ashley Morton

Patagonia

I never imagined I would visit a country whose national food is the hot dog. Yet, the idea of indulging in this generic American food on my two week journey from the northern Pacific coast to the southern Patagonian mountains was, I felt, a small price to pay to see the splendor that is Chile. As a new member of the Boundless Journeys team, I wanted to get my travel feet back underneath me, and so I set off to a place that has captured the imagination of adventurous travelers for centuries. Stretching over almost half of the continent of South America, Chile is comprised of nearly any landscape you could imagine – from expansive, uninhabitable deserts in the north, to the iconic Patagonia, immense glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, and islands in the south. For me the difficulty was choosing a two week itinerary to make the most of my adventure, while not overdoing it.

Now reflecting back on my journey, I feel fortunate to have fit in quite a variety of experiences, but I’d have to say the most unique and memorable stopover was a visit to Chiloe, an enchanted, verdant island off the coast of the Lakes District in southern Chile. Over the course of several days I wandered the pathways of misty seaside settlements, dotted with Palifitos – houses mounted on stilts- and iconic wooden churches splashed in pastel hues, experiencing firsthand the mythical allure distinctive of this island. This was certainly a world away from hot dogs and American culture.

Still feeling invigorated from trekking the trails of Patagonia, immersing myself in Chilote culture, surfing on the pacific coast, and yes even trying a Chilean hotdog, I would be more than happy to talk with you about our uniquely crafted Chile: The Lakes District and Patagonia adventure. Incorporating off the beaten path destinations such as Chiloe, with visits to the awe-inspiring well-known sights of Patagonia, and tasting world-famous wines, it is an experience to not be missed. Give us a call and we’d love to share more.

About Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.