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What is Temezcal? An ancient healing ceremony for the mind, body and soul
Temezcal – a healing ceremony for mind, body and soul

Temezcal – a healing ceremony for mind, body and soul

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Temezcal ceremonies may be closely following the trend line of Yoga sessions worldwide – fashionable, seeing broad acceptance and often misinterpreted. From Bronx to Ibiza, you can easily find a Temezcal ceremony of your liking today. However, the Temezcal roots can be traced back all the way to pre-Hispanic days in Meso-America – when they were reserved for the upper warrior class for healing and restoration. An ancient tradition Temezcal, meaning house of hot stones in Náhuatl, is as much…

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Paro Takstang is a beautiful monastery near Paro, Takstang. Often known as Tiger's Nest, it is one of the best day hikes in Bhutan
Independent day hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan

Independent day hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan

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Legend has it that in the 8th century Indian guru Padmasambhava flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to a cliff top near Paro, Bhutan. He later anointed this place to become a monastery. Hence the name Taktsang, meaning Tigress’s liar. Today, his body is said to be sealed and preserved in a chorten in the monastery. Flying into Paro Paro Taktsang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is perhaps Bhutan’s most iconic landmark. If you are flying into the…

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Best thing to do in Santorini - wine tasting at Koutsoyannopoulos winery
Best thing to do in Santorini – wine tasting

Best thing to do in Santorini – wine tasting

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I was visiting some of the Cyclades islands in Greece to photograph Orthodox Easter, and happened to chance upon the fascinating viticulture scene in Santorini. The island is pretty small at 75 sq. kms, but the wine scene here is one of the most unique. Santorini’s unique wine history Santorini has had a long history of producing wine, dating all the way back to the Greek and Roman times. It’s Santorini’s volcanic soil and unique geographical location which makes the…

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Set in Mostar valley in Southern Bosnia & Herzegovina, Blagaj Tekke is a holy Dervish site, and holds regular Dhikr, also known as Zikr
Blagaj Tekke – Bosnia’s beautiful Dervish monastery

Blagaj Tekke – Bosnia’s beautiful Dervish monastery

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Set in the Mostar valley in Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Blagaj is surrounded by pristine karst landscape, and underground rivers. Blagaj’s history precedes the medieval period, but it was during the Ottoman empire in the 15th century that Blagaj started to develop as a town. Today, Blagaj attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists – with the stunning beautiful Dervish monastery, Blagaj Tekke, being the primary attraction. The monastery enjoys a stunning location under a cliff, with the pristine Buna river…

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The sacred landscape of Tigaray, Ethiopia. Tigray is home to more than 200 rock churches, most of them at an altitude of 1500m or more
Hiking to Abuna Yemata | The sacred landscape of Tigray

Hiking to Abuna Yemata | The sacred landscape of Tigray

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Often known as the birth place of Christianity, Ethiopia has some of the highest concentration of ancient churches. While the monolithic churches of Lalibela have gained mainstream fame and UNESCO protection, there are more than a hundred incredible lesser known rock-hewn churches in the craggy cliffs of Tigray – all at an altitude between 2,000 to 3000 meters. Most of these churches are still active, hold morning masses, and are incredibly difficult to reach. With many of these churches connected…

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