keep calm and wander

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

Getting to Machu Picchu by Train – Keep Calm and Wander

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Machu Picchu by Train - Keep Calm and Wander

Getting to Machu Picchu By Train

How to visit Machu Picchu? If you are planning to visit this amazing landmark this year or in the future, and you don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place! I’ll try to explain it briefly as possible, so I won’t waste your time reading this post.

Two ways to visit Machu Picchu by train: Go with a guided tour (stress-free) or do it your own (stress-filled way but more adventurous!).

We did this because we only had a short time in Cusco and joining a small-group tour is stress-free. If only Cusco had reliable transport and made it easy for non-Spanish speaking to move around from one place to another, we would have taken this more adventurous way. So, we opted for a two-day Sacred Valley and tour.

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Peru Gay Travel Resources

Hanging Out in Gay Nantucket – Keep Calm and Wander

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Hanging Out in Gay Nantucket - Keep Calm and Wander

What to Do in Gay Nantucket

The picture-perfect island of gay Nantucket used to be the whaling capital of the world. But today, it is a leading destination for summer vacations and a preferred location for the rich and the famous. But you don’t have to be a billionaire to enjoy an unforgettable trip or vacation on this New England island.

Luckily for all who want to experience the vibes of this iconic island, it is relatively easy to get there, and there are some more affordable places to stay.

This year, the property values and sales reached a record high for the entire state of Massachusetts and the region. So, it comes as no surprise that the prices of the luxurious hotels and inns on the island are rocket-high.

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.

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Myanmar Gay Travel Resources

Bali Waterfalls – Keep Calm and Wander

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Bali Waterfalls - Keep Calm and Wander

These 11 Bali waterfalls will add to the excitement when visiting the famed Island of the Gods. Whether they’re big or small, these waterfalls can surely delight your adventurous spirit. All of these waterfalls involve a bit of hiking, some are a bit exhausting and others are easy peasy. But once you see/hear the raging or calming sound of these waterfalls in a middle of a lush jungle, all worries are gone. Not to mention the sounds of birds, insects, and other living creatures that harmonize with the cascading water.

Bali Waterfalls – Sekumpul

I have no doubt this is Bali’s most beautiful waterfall. Sekumpul Waterfall is way up north of the island right in the middle of a jungle. I was speechless the first time I saw it. It was just beautiful from afar and much more stunning when I was at its base.

The hike down was easy but you’ve got to be wearing shoes to make it easy to wade in the water and to protect your feet from sharp objects/rocks. Going back up can be challenging as it would test your physical limits.

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Bali Gay Travel Resources

Indonesia’s Padar Island – Keep Calm and Wander

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Indonesia's Padar Island - Keep Calm and Wander

Padar Island is one of the more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia. I’d say that it’s one of those views that you have to see, to believe it! Describing it as incredible is somewhat short of an adjective to fully express the feeling the first time I saw it. Man, it’s so hard to put them into words. Standing from above the island, it felt like you were on another planet – away from the vicious cycles of humankind.

Padar Island Morning Hike

As soon as our small outrigger boat dropped us onshore, we started our hike to the top. Despite the pleading of our guide to be together as a group, I went ahead because I didn’t want to miss the sunrise. It was still dark but the horizon was beginning to show glowing embers of the sun ready to rise. As I hiked alone, I understood why the guide wanted us to be together – the path, though easy to follow, can be dangerous to tread if you’ve never been on that before. There were areas where the rocks were sharp and one false move will bring the hiker rolling down to the deep ravine. I used my cellphone flashlight to keep me on track and out of danger.

The hike was of average difficulty. The pathways were clear but when you’re almost at the top, you have to watch out for the sharp rocks and make sure you’re on the right path. There were other small paths that were confusing, perhaps, made by a few hikers who can’t wait to be on the summit.

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Indonesia Gay Travel Resources

Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral – Keep Calm and Wander

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Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral - Keep Calm and Wander

Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral is the oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America. Located right at the heart of the city, the church is an imposing structure that demands your attention.

For visitors, it’s just another tourist attraction, but for the locals, it is a symbol and soul of their faith. It’s also the seat of the Archdiocese of Mexico. Its complete name is Catedral Metropolitana de la Asuncion de la Santisima Virgen Maria a los cielos. That’s a mouthful, right?

In English, it is translated as Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Even in English, that is still a mouthful to say.

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Mexico City Gay Travel Resources

Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple – Keep Calm and Wander

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Pura Lempuyang Indonesian Temple - Keep Calm and Wander

Pura Lempuyang (or Lempuyang Temple) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bali. It is also one of the oldest and holiest Hindu temples worth going to when traveling to this tropical island.

This sacred temple is two hours drive away from Canggu. The picturesque ride on your way up there is one to be enjoyed with such delight.

Visiting Lempuyang Temple during the pandemic has its good and bad side. There were only very few people (close to none) when we were there. On the other hand, not every temple was open.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Indonesia Gay Travel Resources