Author Archives: Sarah
Saudi Arabia 17/12/24 -3/1/25 (2)
Day 7: 26 December -Dadan & Jabal Ikmah – Medina We had an early start at 6:30 am and arrived at the visitor centre at Dadan to join a group guided tour by 8 am. Dadan was therefore the capital city of the Kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan. Some 2,600 years ago, the oasis in … Continue reading
Saudi Arabia 17/12/24 -3/1/25 (1)
Why Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia which has been open to foreign tourists since 2019, was one of the few Islamic countries that I had not visited in the Middle East. I joined a 13-day Saudia Arabia Explore (20/12/2024 to 1/1/2025) offered by Exodus Travel that I have travelled with many times. I flew from Bergen, … Continue reading
Tromso – Bergen Norway December 7 – 16, 24
Why Arctic Norway? After a 2-week retreat at Plum Village Bordeaux, I flew to Tromso looking for Northern Lights. Though I was passing through Tromso a few times, I had never visited it. As solar activities have been very strong in 2024 resulting in spectacular display of Northern and Southern Lights on numerous occasions, I … Continue reading
Bordeaux France 21 November – 6 December 2024
Plum Village Rain Retreat 22/11 – 6/12/2-24 I first heard of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) (fondly called by his followers as Thay) and the Plum Village when I attended a dharma talk given by the Venerable at the Coliseum in Hong Kong in May 2013. I later met two nuns from the Plum … Continue reading
Peru & Chile
Day 11 November 10: Callo (Lima), Peru We were glad to step ashore after two sea days. Passengers were offered three excursions and I took a 6-hour tour to Huaca Pucllana in the district of Miraflores and Larco Herrera. Huaca Pucllana is an impressive archaeological site belonging to the Lima culture of regional developments. Evidence … Continue reading
Costa Rica to Chile 26/1–18/11/2024
My Third Expedition in 2024 While on Silver Cloud travelling from Puerto Williams to Namibia in March, I signed up for an expedition from Costa Rica to Chile on the recommendation of Peter Harrison. I invited my brother Lawrence and his wife Sally to join. Then Sally’s sister Sylvia and her husband Chu Sir and … Continue reading
Shikoku Bekkaku 20 Sacred Sites 9 -14 October 2024
After having completed the 88-Temple Pilgrimage last November, I decided to join a pilgrimage to visit 20 sacred sites associated with Kukai, Kobo Daishi (774-835). This 20 sacred site pilgrimage route celebrated its 50 anniversary this year. We had a small group led by MY with 14 participants. covering over 1000km in four days in … Continue reading
Japan Nikko & Tokyo 2-8 October 2024
A Gap Week The raison d’etre of my visit to Japan is to join the Shikoku pilgrimage would take place from October 9 – 14. After Hokkaido, I flied to Tokyo, spending two nights in Nikko and three nights in Tokyo before spending a night at the Nikko Hotel at Osaka Kansai Airport to wait … Continue reading
Japan Hokkaido September 21-October 1, 2024
Why Japan? I have joined a 6-day pilgrimage trip to Shikoku from 9 to 14 October. Hence, instead of returning to Hong Kong after the Northwest Passage, I decide to spend the gap time looking for foliage in Hokkaido. September 21 Sapporo I must be exhausted and managed to sleep on the 12-hour flight to … Continue reading
Northwest Passage Canada – USA September 15 – 19, 2024
Day 15 September 10 Queen Maud Gulf – At Sea We sailed the whole day. The Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary located in the Gulf is Canada’s largest protected area. Unfortunately, no activity was allowed. I attended Alessandro’s interesting lecture on “plankton” in the morning and Julie’s promotional talk on “Le Commandant Charcot Destinations“. I … Continue reading