I Marveled At The Magnificent Mayan Murals of Bonampak

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Where Is Bonampak?

The Mayan ruins of Bonampak lie in a remote region of Chiapas, the southern-most state in Mexico. In fact, Bonampak is far enough south to be very close to the Guatemalan border.

Surrounding Bonampak is thick tropical jungle that makes up a biosphere reserve that’s administered by the Lacandon native tribe.

The nearest settlement to the ruins is the village of Lacanja Chansayab, about 2.5 km away. It’s possible to rent cabins from the Lacandon people there.

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I Went To Oaxaca, Mexico For The Day Of The Dead

What Is The Day Of The Dead?

Mexicans celebrate The Day Of The Dead ( Dia de los Muertos in Spanish ) from midnight of October 31 to November 2 each year. Despite its name the occasion is not viewed in a sombre, or morbid light. Rather it is seen as an opportunity to fondly remember, and honour, the memory of loved ones that have died.

During the festivities Mexican families visit the graves of deceased family members, or friends, to make offerings of food and to decorate them with flowers. Marigolds in particular are associated with The Day Of The Dead since they come into bloom at about the same time of year. A party atmosphere ensues with picnics, music, and often, drinking.

Also during the period of The Day Of The Dead ceremonies, Mexicans assemble elaborate altars, called ofrendas, in their houses as a way of welcoming the spirits of the dead back home.

Not all Day Of The Dead celebrations take place in private. Far from it! This is also a time of spontaneous public parties where costumed celebrants, sometimes accompanied by musicians, parade through the streets. Many locals and tourists alike get their faces painted in skull designs to show their enthusiasm. It’s all very colourful and provides plenty of chances to get some great photos.

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Barranco is Lima’s Coolest Neighbourhood

Institute of Visual Art in Barranco, Lima, Peru

Some Historic Background

Founded in 1874, Barranco began as a fashionable Pacific beach resort for Lima’s wealthiest citizens. At the time Barranco was outside of Lima and it provided a holiday escape for those who could afford it. Some of the opulent 19th century mansions built in Barranco are now in a state of disrepair but most have been repurposed as trendy bars, hip boutiques, restaurants, and, in one case, as a museum. Nineteenth century architecture contains to dominate Barranco these days.

Another remnant left over from Barranco’s illustrious past is the remains of a funicular railway that rich Limenos used to ferry themselves up and down the cliff to the beach.

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Waiting For Sunrise Atop The Largest Buddhist Temple In The World

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Arriving At The Temple

It was at least an hour before sunrise when I arrived at the base of the spectacular temple of Borobudor. I had traveled there from the city of Yogyakarta in the center of the Indonesian island of Java along with a few other tourists. Dozens of other travelers were mingling around a staircase that led up to the top of the temple complex.

All of us had paid several times more than the standard ticket price for the privilege of entering this UNESCO World Heritage site hours before the official opening time. This gave us the opportunity to both watch the sunrise over the monument and skip the throngs that would soon crowd into the site.

Few people spoke as we began to ascend to the top of the temple and those that did murmured in hushed tones. We all seemed to sense the same air of majesty and veneration that places such as Borobudor can inspire in us. The enveloping darkness of night contributed an extra element of mystery to the scene. There was just enough electric lighting along the stairway to guide our way.

It’s interesting to note that Indonesia, the largest Muslim country on the planet, is home to Borobudor, the largest Buddhist temple on Earth.

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A Blustery Day In Tondo, Manila’s Biggest Slum

It was raining very hard and the wind was picking up as my taxi approached Tondo, the largest and most populated of Manila’s 16 districts. It was September 18, 2018 and Typhoon Mangkhut was ravaging the northern tip of Luzon hundreds of kilometers from Manila. Despite the distance, Mangkhut was having an impact in the Philippine capital.

My first sight of Tondo was of scores of children playing in the rain on a main avenue. They were relishing the downpour in the ankle-deep water that covered the street. Each child was smiling, laughing, and squealing with joy as they ran and splashed about.

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