Author Archives: Sarah
Brazil: Fernando de Noronha 16-19 February 2024
I have not heard of Fernando de Noronha (some 350km off the Brazilian coast and 500km from Recife) before I planned this trip. I discover this archipelago, a World Heritage Site, has become a popular destination for the Brazilians. As the Azul air flies there, I have been able to visit this island with my … Continue reading
Brazil: Recife & Olinda Carnival 12-15 February 2024
Brazil is most famous for its annual carnival in Rio. However, I am more interested in the festivities in the ancient colonial cities of Recife and Olinda known for their cultural heritage, colours and tradition. Frevo representing the main event of the carnivals and an energetic dance with frantic musical rhythms, is an important political … Continue reading
Brazil: São Luís & Fortazela 5-11 February, 2024
São Luís (5-9 February 2024) Located on the Saint Louis’ Island in the Saint Mark’s Bay bordering the Atlantic Ocean, São Luís, the only Brazilian state capital founded by France, is the capital and the largest city in the state of Maranhão. Its historic centre dating from the 17th century city, is a World Heritage … Continue reading
Brazil: Amazon River & Belem 31 January – 4 February 2024
The Amazon River The 6,400km-long River is the world’s largest river by discharge volume of water and longest river system passing through Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela with Brazil holding by far the largest portion of the River. The headwaters of the Mantaro River in Peru is considered Amazon’s most distant source and the Solimoes … Continue reading
Puerto Rico & Manaus, Brazil 23 – 30 January 2024
San Juan (23-24 January) The second destination of my journey is Amazon and northeast Brazil. In order to reach Manaus, I bought a ticket that first flew to San Juan for one night before catching an Avianca flight to Manaus via Bogota. This one-way ticket was only expensive but has given me a bad experience. … Continue reading
Dominica: Whale-watching 15-23 January 2023
Sperm Whale Watching 15-22 January 202 Why this trip? Mark Carwardine, a British zoologist leads groups to watch wildlife, whales and birds. I first met him on the Wrangle Island expedition in 2019 and joined his grey whale watching expedition in Baja, Mexico in 2020. I am curious about sperm whales and decide to join … Continue reading
Dominica to Namibia: 8 January – 24 March 2024
Why this Journey I have joined a sperm whale watching trip in Dominica in mid January and an expedition by boat from Puerto William, Chile to Walvis Bay, Namibia in March. As a result, I decide to stop at Amsterdam, London and northern eastern part of Brazil during this journey. January 8-9: Amsterdam & London … Continue reading
Shikuko Pilgrimage 2023 (3)
November 26 Sunday Temples 55- 59 & 61-64 We had a busy day visiting nine temples that are not far apart. They included Temples 55 Nankobo (南光坊) (deity – Daitsu-chisho Butsu); 56 Taisan-ji (泰山寺) (deity – Jizo Bosatsu); 57 Eifuku-ji (栄福寺) (deity – Amida Nyorai) ; 58 Senyu-ji (仙遊寺) (deity – Senju Kannon); 59 Iyo … Continue reading
Shikuko Pilgrimage 2023 (2)
November 23 Thursday Temples 37- 40 (4 temples) Today we visited only four temples as they are far apart. We started with Temple 37 Iwamoto-ji (岩本寺) (deity-Fudo Myoo, Kannon Bosatsu, Amida Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai and Jizo Bosatsu); then drove 82 km to reach Temple 38 Kongofuku-ji (金剛福寺) (deity-Senju Kannon). This is the longest stretch between … Continue reading
Shikuko Pilgrimage November 2023
Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路) , an UNESCO site in Shikuko, comprises a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with Kukai (774-835 ), a Buddhist monk commonly known as Kobo Daishi who founded the esoteric Shingon School of Buddhism. The walking course approximately 1,200km long may take 30 to 60 days to complete on foot. I joined … Continue reading