La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (The Holy Trinity of the Parana) is one of the most prominent ruins of the Jesuit missions in Paraguay, located near the town of Encarnación, just across the river from Posadas, Argentina. Founded in the early 18th century, it was part of a network of reducciones—settlements established by Jesuit missionaries to convert and protect Indigenous … [Read more...]
Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa, Praia Forte, Jurerê
We arrived in Jurerê in the early afternoon, after winding through the north of Santa Catarina island on our scooter, with stops at Santo Antônio and Daniela already behind us. The clouds hung low but dry, casting a soft light over the coast as we parked near the trail to Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa. Built between 1740 and 1744 by order of Brigadier José da … [Read more...]
Fort Copacabana: Stunning Views & Learning about Rio’s History
Fort Copacabana (Forte de Copacabana) is a historic military base at the southern end of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built in 1914, the fort was designed to protect the city’s coastline and features thick stone walls and powerful artillery guns that still stand today. One of its most recognizable features is the dome-shaped turrets that once housed long-range … [Read more...]
Two Days in Bukhara: Immersing in the Silk Road’s Legacy
Following Samarkand, we continued our Central Asia journey with two days in Bukhara. One of the most ancient cities in Uzbekistan, this is a treasure trove of history and culture that dates back over 2,500 years. Once a key hub on the Silk Road, it flourished as a center for trade, religion, and learning, with a skyline dominated by historic madrasas, mosques, and … [Read more...]
Two Days in Samarkand: Uzbekistan’s Silk Road Treasure City
In early August 2024, we began our month-long journey through Central Asia, stepping off the plane into the hot, dazzling noon at Samarkand International Airport. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region, Samarkand holds immense historical and cultural significance. As a principal nexus of the Silk Road, it served as a vital crossroads for trade and … [Read more...]
Visiting Alexander the Great’s Palace in Aigai, Macedonia, Greece
Following 16 years of restoration work, the Palace of Aigai has finally opened to visitors. Situated in the modern-day town of Vergina, Aigai was the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia. Its magnificent palace—one of the largest and most elegant edifices of classical Greece—was built by King Philip II in the 4th century BC. That’s where his son, Alexander the … [Read more...]
Visiting the National Botanical Garden of Mauritius
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden is named after Mauritius’s long-named first prime minister. Therefore, it is often abbreviated to SSR Botanic Garden. Located in the Pamplemousses district of northwestern Mauritius, it is 14 km from both Port Louis and Grand Baie. Within an area of 33 hectares, it hosts over 650 species of exotic and indigenous tropical … [Read more...]
Old Grand Port: The Cradle of the Mauritian Nation
The Old Grand Port (Vieux Grand Port in French) is a small town on the eastern coast of Mauritius, near the city of Mahebourg. It is a renowned tourist attraction owing to its historical significance as the site of the first European landing and establishment on the island. We visited it briefly during our 2024 overwintering in Mauritius, following a hike to the top of Lion … [Read more...]
At the Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) for the Shiva Festival in Mauritius
The great Ganges River, the lifeline of Indian civilization for millennia, understandably holds immense importance in Hinduistic tradition. So much so that devout Hindus promptly undertake onerous pilgrimages from throughout India to wash their spirits in the otherwise most polluted river in the world. That was the problem faced by hundreds of thousands of Indian workers … [Read more...]
Prespa Lakes, Greece: a Day Trip from Kastoria
The Prespa Lakes, located in Greece’s northwestern corner near the borders of Albania and North Macedonia, present a captivating blend of natural beauty and biodiversity. This region, comprising Great Prespa and Small Prespa, is notable for its pristine waters and rich wildlife, making it a significant destination for ecological tourism. The area is particularly renowned for … [Read more...]
