Taken in July of 2015 in Great Himalayan National Park
These cairn-centered shrines are common along the trails in Himachal Pradesh. They often have unique little items left by travelers making puja. This one happens to be located on a ridge that offers a spectacular panoramic view.
The same ridge line, further on.
A couple of guides at the same shrine
circling hawk glides
I’m glad it’s not a vulture
I must be alive
still lake reflecting
a mountainous lay of land
hiding fish below
hissing wind gusting
through narrow leaves of bamboo
calling to no one
Taken on December 23, 2015 in Hoi An
Taken on January 1, 2016 on Bai Tu Long Bay
Bai Tu Long Bay is the lesser known–but geographically larger–sibling of Ha Long Bay. It’s name refers to baby dragons, and it derives from the same myth from which Ha Long got its name (i.e. “Descending Dragon.”) Like Ha Long it’s considered a scenic wonder because of the skerries jutting up out of the sea.
We were told that we got a lucky break in getting a clean sunrise during our visit because it’s usually overcast. (Our tour straddled New Years.) It was overcast almost the whole time, but I tend to be skeptical of people selling an experience.
These aren’t necessarily in any order.
1.) Trekking the Great Himalayan National Park [June]:
2.) Teaching kids at KAMMS and Socare [September & October]: I finished my RCYT course in April and have been teaching kids when I have a chance:
3.) Completing Level I Examination at the Muay Thai Institute [September]:
4.) Riding camels at Pushkar and Jaipur [November]:
5.) Boating on the Ganges in Varanasi [October]:
6.) Wandering around a coffee plantation near Chikmaglur [April]:
7.) Completing the Level III and IV reviews in Kalaripayattu [February & August]:
8.) Touring the Glenloch tea factory in Sri Lanka [May]:
9.) 108 Surya Namaskara Against Child Trafficking [March]:
10.) Junk boat tour of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam [December]: This may be jinxing us to put it on the list, before we’ve been (we leave tomorrow) but I’m optimistic that our three weeks in Vietnam will be awesome, and I’m told Ha Long
What to expect in 2016? Lilla and I will be moving back to the States around mid-year. (To where, exactly, remains a mystery.) In January and February I’ll be doing an RYT-300 course to round out my 500 hour yoga teacher certification. I plan to make at least one more trip to Thailand to MTI for Level II. I’d also like to complete the 10-day Vipassana meditation course before returning. Lilla and I are thinking about another Himalaya trek for the summer.
I’ll also be continuing to work on press handstand progression, as that’s been a focus for me of late and I still have a ways to go.
Clouds chugged landward
Smothering a festive town
In a dense, gray cloak
Dreary days have come
Reminding me of Britain,
the long nightless nights
Drizzle piddles down
Dimpling the sidewalk sheen
With random ripples
Taken in July of 2010 in the Peruvian Andes
Taken in July of 2014 in Munnar
Taken in July of 2015 at Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)
Tiger Riding for Beginners 