Japan / Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage – Suggested day hikes

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is an inspiring route covering 88 temples in Shikoku island, Japan. If you have only a few days in the area, consider these day hike options, which can be a great introduction to the pilgrimage, where beautiful natural scenery, inspiring temples in exotic locations and lovely towns and rural areas blend into a holistic experience.

Japan / Shikoku Henro / Temples 20 (Kakurin-ji) – 21(Tairyū-ji) gallery

Photos and video of day hike from Tokushima to temples 20-21 along the Shikoku Henro.

Japan – Nagoro Scarecrows – A memorial for a rural community

Visiting a vanishing village in Japan, where scarecrows were turned into an open museum, only enhancing the feeling of rural realm decay.

Japan / Shikoku Henro / Temples 84 (Yashima-ji) – 85(Yakuri-ji) gallery

Photos and video of day hike from Takamatsu to temples 84-85 along the Shikoku Henro.

Kolkata – City of Extremes and the Railway Shantytown

What can we learn from makeshift housing along active railway tracks about Kolkata, India and people’s lives?

Don’t take markets out of downtown Yangon, solve transportation issues !

Yangon authorities have been banning street vendors from downtown Yangon, in order to… make space for private cars. Instead of killing this unique lively urban area, here are some suggestions how to cope with the escalating traffic challenge.

Delhi – Street Scenes – December 2016

Some urban scenes from amazing Delhi, December 2016.

Where are you today? People of Nha Trang, Vietnam 1996

Back in July 1996, Nha Trang was a beautiful quiet beach town, with a lively fishing industry. Here is a collection of photos of people from that visit. Can you identify yourself..?

Myanmar / Yangon’s circular railway can even now be more than a kaleidoscope of people and life

Riding Yangon’s circular railway provides a glimpse to people and life in Myanmar. But this train can be much more useful for locals even without a huge investment. Let’s hop on the train and learn what can be done!

Kolkata – Kumartuli idols and statues workshops

A tour through the alleys of Kumartuli – a historical quarter in Kolkata where local artisans build majestic statues of idols, deities and festive figures

Kolkata – People and Street Scenes – Photo Gallery

A collection of street scenes and people in Kolkata, from a visit in December 2016.

Micro Living and Working in Kolkata

Join a visit to a neighborhood with a mix of small workshops, mainly for processing metal and creating various tools, and tiny dwelling units surrounding common courtyards where meeting and washing take place.

Living Root Bridges and Structures of North-East India Explained

Villagers in North-East India developed an innovative technique to construct bridges and other useful structures out of living aerial roots of rubber (Ficus Elastica) trees. Watch a short documentary and an inspiring photo gallery showcasing root bridges and ladders, with commentary analyzing their structural principles. A must for any civil engineer, architect and designer!

Garo Hills Traditional Tribal Architecture – Meghalaya India

“Where bamboo exists – No Worries!” – Magnificent structures for living and storage built by Garo people are not only functional structures but also aesthetic ones. An inspirational tour of fine vernacular architecture.

Garo Hills Meghalaya India – People and Rural Life

A visit to rural areas of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, India, where unique traditional life is still kept by Garo People.

Becoming a Young Monk – Buddhist Ordination Mrauk-U Myanmar

Four boys participate in a Buddhist Ordination ceremony to become novice monks. Two days of transformation of body and soul into a new chapter in life.

Living Root Bridges of Nagaland India – Nyahnyu Village Mon District

Root bridges are bridges made of living tree roots. It was believed that such bridges are unique to southern areas of Meghalaya, but here are some beautiful examples for root bridges in Nagaland state in India, around the village of Nyahnyu – Mon district.

Syange, 15 Years Later – Annapurna Circuit Revisited

A visit to the Nepali village of Syange, along the Annapurna Circuit trek, in 2011 carrying photos from the 1996 visit, creates wonderful opportunities for new-old acquaintances…

Tsum Valley Nepal – Photos

Tsum Valley is almost a Tibet within Nepal. Opened for tourists in 2008, it offers a unique cultural experience for those making the long trek to get there

Manaslu Base Camp Nepal – Photos

A steep climb takes trekkers and expedition members to Manaslu Base Camp – the first camp used by mountaineers on their way to the top of Mount Manaslu. Lets take a look how this climb looks like…

Mount Manaslu Nepal – Photos from the village of Lho

Take a look at the majestic Mount Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world, photographed from the village of Lho

People of Manaslu region and Tsum Valley – Photos

Whether it is a short “Namaste” greeting on the trail or “home staying” with a family, acquaintances with people of Manaslu region and Tsum valley in Nepal are joyful and inspiring. Meet some of these people…

Punggen Gompa Nepal – trip photos

Punggen Gompa is located on a remote mountain plateau beneath Mount Manaslu. Take a look at some photos from a trip up to the Gompa and superb mountain views surrounding it

A trip to Rui La – Nepal-Tibet border north of Samdo Nepal

Photos from a unique side trip from Manaslu Circuit trek: a climb to Rui La, a main commercial trail used by local Nepalis for trade and to visit relatives in Tibet

Manaslu Circuit Trek Photos – Full Gallery

From the wet lush green areas of the lower Budhi Gandaki at ~500 meters above sea level, through amazing views of Mount Manaslu and the snow covered mountains around Larke La 5106 meters high to magical Bhimtang and beyond…

Bridges of Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley Nepal – Virtual Journey

Bridges are common in the Nepal Himalayas and they are more than mere engineering. Traversing a bridge above gushing water is almost a sacred ceremony… Join a virtual journey through the bridges of Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley treks.

Lodge development in Nepal Manaslu region raising concerns

A notable construction of lodges currently takes place along the Manaslu Circuit trekking route. Locals identify the increase in trekker numbers and build new accommodation facilities, some of them quite different from traditional local structures

The mud river – landslide wipes out half of Paimo village in Manaslu region Nepal

2011 Monsoon season brought torrential rains to Nepal’s Manaslu region. Along the Budhi Gandaki river valley numerous landslides occurred, one of them covered the village of Paimo with a wave of rocks and mud

Nepal Tsum Valley Trek itinerary information and remarks

Tsum Valley is a magical area in Nepal that was opened for tourists in 2008. Here is a description of the area and the trek together with some information about trekking to Ganesh Himal and Gumba Lungdang.

Manaslu Circuit Trek- Around Manaslu Trek – Recommended Side Trips

Recommended side trips from the Manaslu Circuit / Around Manaslu trek: Kal Tal, Hinang Gompa, Punggen Gompa, Birendra Tal, Manaslu Base Camp, Tibetan Border at Rui La

Manaslu Circuit Trek- Around Manaslu Trek – detailed itinerary and trail description

Detailed trail description of Manaslu Circuit / Around Manaslu trek: Arughat, Arkhet, Soti Khola, Lapubeshi, Machhakhola, Tatopani, Dobhan, Yuru, Jagat, Salleri, Paimo, Sirdibas, Philim, Ekle Bhatti, Nyak, Deng, Bihi Phedi, Prok, Ghap, Namrung, Lihi, Sho, Lho, Shyala, Samagaon, Samdo, Dharamshala / Larke Phedi, Larke Pass, Bhimtang, Yak Kharka, Soti Gowa / Gho , Tilche, Thonche

Manaslu Circuit Trek- Around Manaslu Trek – General Information

Manaslu Circuit is one of the best treks in Nepal. Read general information about how to prepare for the trek, needed permits and tickets, logistics and vital information about what to expect

Panoramas of Ladakh India – Presentation

Ladakh in north India, a high altitude desert, is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture. The strong Tibetan influence gave it the nickname “Little Tibet”. The extreme terrain and climate, as well as the unique way of life developed in Ladakh, form a magical magnet to travelers…

Delhi 2009 – Pahar Ganj area, Metro, Streets

2009 Delhi is dazzling and enchanting as ever, but with a strong flavor of renovation. The fabulous Metro system, cellular everywhere, CNG operated rickshaws and even rumors about a Main Bazar face lift, bring a fresh sight to India’s vibrant capital.

Yin Yang Venice – Digital artwork

Yin-Yang interpretation of a bird eye view of Venice. Inspired by a visit to Venice that came immediately after a long trip to China

Journey along China’s Yangtze rising water due to Three Gorges Dam construction

A historical cruise along China’s Yangtze river, where people, villages and towns are relocated due to the rising water level following Three Gorges Dam construction.

Beijing Bird’s Nest National Stadium Construction, and neighboring area destruction

A three months long journey is coming to an end, time to checkout the construction works of China’s national stadium in Beijing, which is going to be the focal point of the 2008 Olympic Games. Will I be able to go inside and explore?

Eerie Fengdu – The real Chinese Ghost City – A man-made quake

A casual stop at a touristic site along the Yangtze river turns into a journey in a city being dismantled brick by brick. The Yangtze water level is rising due to the Three Gorges Dam construction, local people of Fengdu are relocated, their real city becomes a Ghost City, while tourists rush to see the other Ghost City that lies above – a tribute to the afterlife.

Gongtan – The charming Chinese village that will vanish soon

A visit to a unique 1700 years old village-town in Chongqing’s remote Youyang County, which will be vanished underwater, due to the construction of the Pengshui Dam on the Wu Jiang (river).

World antennas tour

Antennas can be found everywhere. Although these monuments of the modern era pollute the view, they enable people all over the world to communicate, and sometimes they even charmingly mingle in the surrounding landscape. Let’s go for a guided antennas tour in some places in the world…

World photos collage

A landscape collage made of pieces of photos taken all over the world (USA, UK, Austria, Nepal, Vietnam, Israel, Thailand). The world is indeed made of pieces, and they are all combined to one system…

Around Annapurna – Day by Day – Part two ("Jomsom" trek)

Detailed description of the second part of Around Annapurna (Annapurna Circuit) trek. This is actually the “Jomsom” trek.

Around Annapurna – Day by Day – Part one – to Muktinath

A detailed day-by-day description of the Around Annapurna trek, with a recommended plan how long to walk every day, with vivid photos.

Around Annapurna Trek

The Around Annapurna trek, or Annapurna Circuit, is one of the nest treks in the world. Read an introductory guide tothis trek.

Some things about trekking in Nepal

Introduction to trekking and trekking in Nepal

Children of the Far East photo exhibit

“Children of the Far East” online photo exhibit was created in late 1996, and was my first comprehensive visual online presentation.

Vietnam travelogue and photos

Travelogue and Photos from Vietnam