Keep Calm And Wander

Walking Tour of Gay Lima – Keep Calm and Wander

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Walking Tour of Gay Lima - Keep Calm and Wander

Take a Walking Tour of Gay Lima and See The Sights

This walking tour in Lima will last 2-3 hours, depending on your pace. That’s what we did. Though there are a few “free” walking tours in the historic district, we opted to do it ourselves because we had the whole day to explore the area and didn’t want to rush. We wanted to take it slowly, on our own terms.

Lima is a bustling city and the world’s second driest capital, next to Cairo. Most often, Lima is where most tourists/visitors land on their way to fulfill a bucket list – Machu Picchu! Staying for three days in Lima is ideal – enough to explore the historic district, Barranco, and Miraflores neighborhoods. And maybe, a day tour to Huacachina and Paracas.

On our first day in gay Lima, we started at 9 o’clock in the morning. On our way to Plaza San Martin, we encountered locals in their costumes. We didn’t really know what was going on, but I think they shot a promotional video for the upcoming Independence Day or something.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Lima Gay Travel Resources

Take a Lima Walking Tour – Keep Calm and Wander

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Take a Lima Walking Tour - Keep Calm and Wander

Take a Lima Walking Tour on Your Own

This Lima walking tour will last 2-3 hours, depending on your pace. That’s what we did. Though there are a few “free” walking tours in the historical district, we opted to do it ourselves because we had the whole day to explore the area and we didn’t want to rush. We wanted to take it slowly, on our own terms.

Lima is a bustling city and the world’s second driest capital, next to Cairo. Most often, Lima is where most tourists/visitors land on their way to fulfill a bucket list – Machu Picchu! Staying for three days here is ideal – enough to explore the historic district, Barranco, and Miraflores neighborhoods. And maybe, a day tour to Huacachina and Paracas.

On our first day in town, we started at 9 o’clock in the morning. On our way to Plaza San Martin, we encountered locals in their costumes. We didn’t really know what was going on but I think they shot a promotional video for the upcoming Independence Day or something.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Lima Gay Travel Resources

Traveling Peru by Bus – Keep Calm and Wander

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Traveling Peru by Bus - Keep Calm and Wander

Traveling Peru by Bus

Traveling in Peru by bus is possible, and I don’t mean traveling on dirt, dusty roads or unreliable public transport with caged chickens and pigs as your fellow passengers. Of course, I’m talking about traveling by bus – in style!

Let me be honest – all I knew about Peru before the trip revolved around Machu Picchu. When I started researching places to visit in the country, I was excited to find out that all the attractive destinations I wanted to see were accessible by bus. I don’t even have to worry about transferring from one company to another—or worrying about getting scammed in bus stations.

Perhaps, you might have heard of Hop-on-Hop-off buses in big cities, like London, New York, or Toronto. These buses go around the city, stopping at famous landmarks where you can get on and off anytime within a day or two.

In Peru, there’s this same one with the same concept, but it goes mostly south of the country and even extends to Bolivia, a neighboring country. This concept takes a whole new level to get around Peru – on a bus, with a guide, but you’re not really on a formal tour! Before you disembark, the guide will give you tips on what to do, see, eat and drink in the places you will be going. Once you reach your destination, you’re on your own! And the best part about it? The bus will drop you off at your hotel or hostel, making it safer, especially when you arrive late at night or early in the morning.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Peru Gay Travel Resources

The Crack Trail in Killarney – Keep Calm and Wander

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The Crack Trail in Killarney - Keep Calm and Wander

Hiking The Crack trail in Killarney was a different experience I had to endure. And I mean it in a good, satisfying way. It is the best hiking I’ve ever had in Ontario. Reaching the top was insane, but the views were worth the trouble. Every step you make will be worth it, I promise!

Hiking the Crack Trail

The sign at the entrance shows that it’s a difficult-level hiking trail. Like any trail, we started slow and easy. We passed through a forested area as we started our ascent. Then came the blistering rocks and onto the Crack.

Personally, the hike was primarily easy-intermediate, with steep terrains. The only tricky part was the last 10-15 minutes before reaching the apex of The Crack, and we had to scramble on all fours. There was no proper trail, but hikers had to climb huge boulders to pass through the crack. And after this challenge, magnificent views await those who made it to the top!

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Ontario Gay Travel Resources

Hiking the Chikanishing Trail in Killarney, Ontario – Keep Calm and Wander

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Hiking the Chikanishing Trail in Killarney, Ontario - Keep Calm and Wander

The Chikanishing Trail in Killarney (Ontario) is a beautiful hiking trail along the coast which runs along the waters of the Georgian Bay. Although the bay was teasing us for a dip, we decided to just sit down and chill on the comfy red rocks. We watched the sunset here while the calming crashing of the waves was music to our ears! So serene and magical!

The Chikanishing Trail

The trail was pretty easy to moderate. However, it requires agility as there are terrains where you have to hop from one rock to another. It could be a bit challenging for those with agility problems, but it won’t be uncomfortable, I guess While in most parks,, the blue markers are attached to trees, the ones you’ll find here are drawn into the rocks A few are faded, so you have to find them to not get lost, or else you might find yourself scrambling on all fours.

This is a 3.5-kilometer trail that you can finish in under 40 minutes one way. It is lovely to watch the sunset from here, but as soon as the sun goes down, you have to g back. This is a loop trail so watch out for the blue markers to guide you back to the parking lot. 

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Ontario Gay Travel Resources

The Other Side of Gay Calgary (Across the River) – Keep Calm and Wander

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The Other Side of Gay Calgary (Across the River) - Keep Calm and Wander

Calgary is a walkable and bike-friendly city. If you are planning to walk across the river, start early morning or late afternoon to avoid the searing heat. Also, be cautious when walking on this pathway because cyclists, skateboarders, runners, and segways use this path, too.

Gay Calgary Across the River

The trail or pathways runs from East to West along the River Bow. It is a 7.2-km loop trail that would take 2 hours to complete. However, you don’t have to make the whole trail; you can walk part of it and ride a bike for the rest. It’s nice to walk on the pathway directly opposite the city skyline – the views are spectacular. And if you have time, spend time sitting by the riverside, admire the views, and perhaps, dip your feet onto the turquoise water.

Calgary has so many bridges. Each one is unique from the others. Looking at or crossing them feels like a bridge competition in the city is ongoing. George King Bridge is one of my three favorites – for photo purposes!

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Calgary Gay Travel Resources

Canada’s Lake Louise – Keep Calm and Wander

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Lake Louise - Keep Calm and Wander

Lake Louise is probably the most famous glacial lake in Canada. That’s because it’s just a bus ride away from Calgary. Thus, making it the most accessible turquoise-colored lake which graced the covers and pages of travel magazines worldwide. There’s no doubt that it’s also the most crowded place in the summer months.

Calgary to Lake Louise by Bus

Let it be known that buses that bring tourists to tourist attractions in Alberta aren’t cheap. Sometimes, taking a one-day tour (which I did) is so much better because it’s less hassle and more places to see.

Take the reliable Brewster Express that has been in the business for more than a century. From Calgary, they can connect you to Banff, and Jasper. One-way ticket costs $99 and a round trip tickets costs $169.

Remember that Banff in summer is really crowded and finding parking spaces is pain in as*. So, if you don’t want the hassle of circling around or finding parking spaces, buying the buy a Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus Day Pass ($63) is a great idea! The bus stops at Banff, Johnston Canyon, the Louise Gondola, and Morraine Lake.

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Calgary Gay Travel Resources

Exploring Bagan Temples in One Day – Keep Calm and Wander

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Exploring Bagan Temples in One Day - Keep Calm and Wander

Exploring Bagan Temples in one day is possible – on a motorbike. Yep, you can rent a motorbike and go at your own pace! However, I’d still advise you to ask for a map from the hotel/hostel receptionist. 

And don’t just ride unprepared. The weather in Bagan is scorching hot all year, except on monsoon mornings. Pack an extra t-shirt or sweatshirt and bring water or food. And oh, the road is dusty so you better have a pair of sunglasses. 

This post is the last of the 22 temples you can explore in Bagan in one day. So, let’s continue with our little adventure in Bagan!

Bagan Temples: Yinmana

Yinmana is an interesting complex of well-tended temples. Despite its wondrous beauty, the temples are off-the-beaten-track. There were only two of us there at the time of our visit. If you notice in the picture below, each temple has a different style and they’re interesting to see if you observe them from afar. The downside is that nowhere we could find descriptions of the pagoda’s history.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Myanmar Gay Travel Resources

Zhuge Bagua Village in Zhejiang, China – Keep Calm and Wander

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Zhuge Bagua Village

Morning at Zhuge Bagua Village in Zhejiang

Zhuge Bagua Village is an ancient town in Zhejiang Province in the eastern part of China. It has a history that dates back to the Qing and Ming Dynasties. The locals call it “Zhugecun.” History has it that the village’s name comes from the last name Zhuge which was widespread in two dynasties. Most of the residents here claim to be descendants of Zhuge Liang, a 3rd-century Chinese military strategist, and noble statesman.

I arrived at Zhuge early evening and I didn’t want to explore it right away because, you know, I might get lost in the dark alleys. I stayed in a hotel that was along the main road in the newer part of the town. However, the receptionist assured me that the ancient village was just behind the hotel and it can be seen from my bedroom windows.

Well, it was not 100% true. Yes, the village was just behind (according to the map) me but I didn’t see it from my window. There was no shortcut trail from the back of the hotel to the old village. Fortunately, it was just a 10-15 minutes walk from where I was.

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China Gay Travel Resources

Mandalay Pagodas – Keep Calm and Wander

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Mandalay Pagodas - Keep Calm and Wander

These 6 Mandalay pagodas are must-see tourist attractions when you are in this ancient capital of Myanmar. They are all Buddhist temples/pagodas but each one is distinct from the other. You will be surprised how the locals devote their time when they are in the temple. Myanmar, I think, has the most number of Buddhist temples/pagodas in the world. Not sure about that but many of their tourists attractions are temples – and Mandalay is no exemption.

Let me introduce first these three Buddhist pagodas within the city of Mandalay.

Remember to take your shoes off when entering temples. Dress appropriately or cover you exposed skin with a sarong that you can borrow/rent at the entrance of some temples. You can also bring your own sarong if you’ve got one. Don’t worry about losing your shoes. No one will snatch them away. Be respectful when taking pictures inside the temple. There are places where “No Photography” sign is displayed. Don’t be THAT tourist! Always bring wet tissues to clean your feet after visiting.

Myanmar Pagodas – Kyauk Taw Gyi

The most prized possession here is the presence of the largest marble Buddha in Myanmar. As soon as you enter, you’ll see its imposing size and brilliant whiteness surrounded by a not-so-well-lit temple. Remember to check out the backyard where some interesting things to do and see await you.

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