Kathmandu is located in the center of the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayas, near the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The high altitude attracts many climbers, while its historic palaces, temples, and mysterious religious aspects draw others.
Colombo is the administrative center of Sri Lanka. It is not only the country's economic hub but also a cultural melting pot, showcasing various aspects from colonial times to modern development. Additionally, it serves as a starting point for trips to other areas.
Kandy was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 15th to the 19th century and is now the second-largest city. The whole city is surrounded by mountains and is famous worldwide for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Its rich natural environment and unique cultural sites make Kandy a popular tourist destination.
Dambulla is a city in central Sri Lanka, famous for its World Heritage Site, the Cave Temple. Besides the temple, Dambulla is also close to Sigiriya, known as the "Lion Rock," making it a popular stop for many travelers.
Polonnaruwa, once the second capital of the Sinhala Kingdom in Sri Lanka. Today, beyond its famous palace ruins, Polonnaruwa is home to numerous towering stupas, colossal Buddha statues, and intricate relief murals, making it a city where Buddhist art has reached its zenith. Exploring this city by bicycle or Tuk-Tuk allows visitors to immerse themselves in the grandeur of the ancient kingdom.
Seeing the Lord Murugan statue in front of Batu Caves gives me a feeling of being back to India!
There are 11 bone chapels in Europe, one of which is located in Évora, Portugal. The inscription at the entrance, "Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos," or "Our bones here await yours," is just a terrifying beginning.
Today, I climbed two mountains, and one of them was to visit the underwater carvings at a height of 1500 meters above sea level. These carvings are located at the source of the Siem Reap River - Kbal Spean. It takes approximately 1 hour by car from Siem Reap city center and then about 40 minutes of hiking along a mountain trail to reach there.
On my first day in Rome, I lost 3€ at an automated ticket machine at the station. In a state of frustration, I decided to walk to the Colosseum. As I walked, it was incredible to see buildings from ancient Roman times still standing and passing by me. I felt incredibly fortunate!
Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. What does this have to do with me, someone without any religious beliefs?