Author Archives: Ursula Historically, the medieval Newar (Newari) village of Bungamati was known for its woodcarvers, its ancient temples, and its views of the surrounding mountains. Bungamati is a tiny town of about 6,000 residents, sitting on a spur of land overlooking the Bagmati River at the southern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. When I visited, almost two […]  Crete, Greece’s largest, most populous, and southernmost island, is a rugged place of mountains and gorges. Every day-trip I took while I was there was a test of fitness! A day after descending a punishing cliff-slope to Preveli Beach (see: Preveli Beach and Palm Forest) and exploring the historic capital of the Rethymno (Rethymnon) prefecture […]  There is something magical about being in a place that is accessible only by boat! Saysutshun is a small island (3.63 km2, 1.40 sq mi) with a long and colourful history. For thousands of years, it was a seasonal fishing site for the local Coast Salish people. Because they only built temporary housing on the island, early […]  It was not yet 7:30am. I’m not a morning person, but I was excited! Our bus was already in the car park outside the Petra Visitor Centre. In an attempt to beat the heat and the crowds, my fellow travellers and I were making our way into this magical ancient city early. We had gone […]  In the traditional town of Bungamati – or Amarapur – in the fertile Kathmandu Valley about nine kilometres to the south of Kathmandu, people live and farm simply, much as they have for generations. These are the Newars (Newari): the historical inhabitants of the region. This settlement site has probably existed since at least the […] |
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