Out of Norm Travels

UPDATE: I did a video collation of the various timelapse taken during my Nepal trip:  MagTY Video_We will Rise Again Prayer Flags of Nepal  For many, travelling is a sort of ala "Amazing Race" with the maximization of the limited time in a particular location by going from point A to point B. Well, for the first time in my life, I gave myself the luxury of time by signing up for a 4 days yoga retreat in Nepal in early March 2020. Mind you, I am neither flexible nor a yoga fanatic so I was definitely doing something that scared me.   What is Yoga?  For those unaware, Yoga is an ancient philosophy and practice of health and well being. The practice emphasizes the quality of health and life with diet, physical acts, posture, breath, mental, rest and meditation, In the modern world, it has somewhat gained momentum with emphasis on the physical aspects.  Yoga retreat Booking I booked my retreat  via  bookyogaretreats.com   ...

The ancient Kingdom of Sukhothai (Thai: สุโขทัย ) - Sukhothai is from Sanskrit sukha (सुख "happiness") + udaya (उदय "rise, emergence"), meaning "dawn of happiness".   According to the Lonely Planet, the Sukhothai (Rising of Happiness) Kingdom flourished from the mid-13th century to the late 14th century. This period is often viewed as the golden age of Thai civilisation, and the religious art and architecture of the era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles. The remains of the kingdom, today known as meuang gòw (old city), feature around 45 sq km of partially rebuilt ruins, which are one of the most visited ancient sites in Thailand. Wat Mahathat translates as “great relic”, and it is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Thailand.      Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai    Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai  Wat Si Chum Temple is a 13 th century temple enshrining the largest Buddha image in Sukhothai measurin...

Ko Kret or Koh Kred aka Pak Kret is essentially an Island in the middle of Bangkok City, Thailand along the Chao Praya River. Interesting to see the Mon tribe residing at this  island which was created back in 18th century when a canal was constructed  and eventually due to widening, created an island. The tribe retained a distinct identity in their version of Buddhism and, particularly at Ko Kret, their pottery. Did a round boat trip with a drop-off at the pottery, local temple and the biggest Buddha by the river.  Although it is within Bangkok Koh Kret is  another world compared to Bangkok as much of the island is what you would imagine rustic Bangkok with wooden planks at your feet and a certain village air where everyone knows everyone stays in the same area come out to greet each other for the day before going about their business. Much of your day there can be spent just walking around - during the weekends, there is a bustling market but during...

I have been wanting to take this trip to witness the for the past 3 years so I was elated when I found a travel companion 1.5 weeks before the annual Rocket Festival started at Yasothorn, Thailand over the weekend of May 10-12 that I booked my air ticket and made the overnight bus ride down to this unusual and truly unique experience. As in many Thai festivals, the festival varies from year to year due to Thai lunar calendar calculations but understand that essentially it's held during the weekend of the 2nd week of May.  Thailand Rocket  Festival, also known as Bun Bang Fai is one of the most explosive and unusual festivals in the Thai calendar. A must-visit event if you happen to be up in the  Isaan  (northeastern) region of Thailand.   According to www.wherethailand.com, this festival is based on an old folk belief, every May local farmers look to try and coax the gods into the romantic mood needed to produce rainfall by sending huge phallic-shaped rocket...