Caucasus

Best of Armenia, from the Pink City to stunning monasteries

By Coni / 16 Comments / Europe / Armenia, Caucasus

Have you ever imagine postcard-like monasteries hanging in a cliff, overlooking a lake, or having a beautiful mountain in the background? Armenia has them all, and then some more.

Georgia travel guide: Mountains, Monasteries and Wine

By Coni / 28 Comments / Europe / Caucasus, Georgia

From wine country, to centuries old monasteries surrounded by stunning mountains, Georgia is simply gorgeous. Add delicious food (vegetarian heaven!) and interesting history to the mix. The result is an absolute must-see, a treasure in the Caucasus region.

Azerbaijan: travel off the beaten path

By Coni / 22 Comments / Europe / Azerbaijan, Caucasus

Underneath the petrodollars-sponsored shiny buildings in the capital and the president Aliyev posters everywhere, there’s the real Azerbaijan, with an interesting history and a beautiful countryside.

Visit 4th century monasteries in the Caucasus region

By Coni / 18 Comments / Europe / Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caucasus, Georgia

The Caucasus monasteries are an amazing sight. You’ll find them all around Armenia, Georgia and even Azerbaijan, in the most breathtaking locations.

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My name is Coni. I’m a Chilean Human Rights lawyer turned travel writer and photographer, using my skills in political analysis to bring you insights from around the world. For many years I’ve been looking for the most interesting travel experiences, so I came up with a bucket list with the best 201. Here I’m writing about them, while trying to spread mindfulness, inspiration and knowledge. Expect off the beaten path (even within the classics), and always a focus on sustainability. Join the journey!

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What’s happiness to you? On his book ‘Through Sand and Snow’, @cwexplore revives an encounter with Bruce, an Australian cyclist who reflects on the differences of each journey. “You’re on yours an’ I’m on mine. Every adventure’s different, mate. There’s more’n one way t’ skin a cat.” I think that those simple words are much more profound that they seem (even more when you get the Aussie accent out of the way). It’s not only about the way we travel, but the way we live our lives. I asked Yayai, @masai_story’s mother-in-law, what makes her happy. She immediately replied “my life with my children and my cows”. It warmed my heart to hear that, because those are the main pillars of her life. As for me, what makes me happy is changing minds. Western media has us living in a bubble in which we think that everyone that’s different is an enemy. These biases make us look at places with distrust. After hearing over and over again how “they” are against “us” we end up living a life full of fear. Fear of our own, because we might have different traditions and believes, but we are just one human race. We are all the same! I travel to spread that message. To meet different people and worldviews, and to highlight the similarities. To open up people’s minds. One at the time. My source of happiness is completely different from that of Yayai. Our journeys in life a radically different too. But when our paths crossed, we found common ground: kindness and understanding. And that’s what I think the world needs. What makes you happy? _____________________ #happinessproject #happinesseverywhere #taketheleap #freedomseeker #choosehappiness #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #masaiculture #travelette #shewanders #journeyofgirls #tribalphotography #weareallthesame #sofetravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #chileantravelbloggers

experiencingtheglobe

•

What’s happiness to you?

On his book ‘Through Sand and Snow’, @cwexplore revives an encounter with Bruce, an Australian cyclist who reflects on the differences of each journey. “You’re on yours an’ I’m on mine. Every adventure’s different, mate. There’s more’n one way t’ skin a cat.”

I think that those simple words are much more profound that they seem (even more when you get the Aussie accent out of the way). It’s not only about the way we travel, but the way we live our lives.

I asked Yayai, @masai_story’s mother-in-law, what makes her happy. She immediately replied “my life with my children and my cows”. It warmed my heart to hear that, because those are the main pillars of her life.

As for me, what makes me happy is changing minds. Western media has us living in a bubble in which we think that everyone that’s different is an enemy. These biases make us look at places with distrust. After hearing over and over again how “they” are against “us” we end up living a life full of fear. Fear of our own, because we might have different traditions and believes, but we are just one human race. We are all the same!

I travel to spread that message. To meet different people and worldviews, and to highlight the similarities. To open up people’s minds. One at the time.

My source of happiness is completely different from that of Yayai. Our journeys in life a radically different too. But when our paths crossed, we found common ground: kindness and understanding. And that’s what I think the world needs.

What makes you happy?

_____________________

#happinessproject #happinesseverywhere #taketheleap #freedomseeker #choosehappiness #travelwithpurpose #livewithpurpose #mindfultravel #mindfultraveler #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaiwomen #sheisthewild #roamwild #masaiculture #travelette #shewanders #journeyofgirls #tribalphotography #weareallthesame #sofetravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #chileantravelbloggers

5 days ago

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1/9

At first glance it might seem like the Masai children don’t have much. They play with the sand and around the bush, with makeshift toys. They run around barefooted. They wear a simple piece of fabric tied over one shoulder, and hoodies that have seen better days when it’s cold. But looking closer it’s easy to see that the have a marvelous childhood. They grow up free and happy, having many cousins to play with, and an unlimited backyard to explore. Their lives are one with nature, learning from early on the importance of caring for the environment and the wildlife. They’re sweet, lighthearted, curious, and full of energy. A true delight to have around! _________________________ #travelstories #beyondordinary #africanchildren #tribalphotography #africanheritage #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #adventuretravels #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #jointhejourney

experiencingtheglobe

•

At first glance it might seem like the Masai children don’t have much. They play with the sand and around the bush, with makeshift toys. They run around barefooted. They wear a simple piece of fabric tied over one shoulder, and hoodies that have seen better days when it’s cold.

But looking closer it’s easy to see that the have a marvelous childhood. They grow up free and happy, having many cousins to play with, and an unlimited backyard to explore. Their lives are one with nature, learning from early on the importance of caring for the environment and the wildlife.

They’re sweet, lighthearted, curious, and full of energy. A true delight to have around!

_________________________

#travelstories #beyondordinary #africanchildren #tribalphotography #africanheritage #masai #maasaitribe #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #onewithnature #masaichildren #roamwild #tanzaniaunforgettable #masaiculture #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #adventuretravels #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #jointhejourney

7 days ago

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2/9

Masai life (excerpt of my coming post about living in the bush with the Masai!) In Tanzania the hours of the day are measured in a different way. The counting starts at 6 AM. The first hour is counted when the day starts, with sunrise. Accordingly, 12 is our 6 PM, ending the day with sunset. The Masai life, like that of most living in the countryside, follows the sun too. With sunrise the movement starts. The women milk the cows and make sweet, milky chai. The calves, and the baby goats and sheep stay in the boma while the adult animals are taken for feeding and drinking in the surrounding savannah. The men comfortably whistle instructions to the cattle, helping themselves with a wooden stick that always accompanies them. In the meantime, the women are busy, as always. The have to fetch water, firewood, and vegetables to cook. They make a humble –but full of work– breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually consisting of ugali, a vegetable stew, and chai. After feeding the adults and older boys that go off with the cattle, they feed the many children, and wash up all the pots, plates, and cups. Even if their day started at 6, they don’t get a break until after lunch. The few hours they have in the afternoon before the men go back are spent in the sun, catching up with the other women, working on some crafts, and playing with the children. The men come back mid-afternoon and the work starts again. Feeding everyone, milking the cows, washing up. The day starts wrapping up with the young kids making a bonfire and enjoying the warmth while the last rays of lights give way to the stars. They eat and go to sleep. By 9 o’clock all that can be heard are the animals mooing and bleating. Which is, oddly, a lovely lullaby to fall asleep to.

experiencingtheglobe

•

Masai life (excerpt of my coming post about living in the bush with the Masai!)

In Tanzania the hours of the day are measured in a different way. The counting starts at 6 AM. The first hour is counted when the day starts, with sunrise. Accordingly, 12 is our 6 PM, ending the day with sunset. The Masai life, like that of most living in the countryside, follows the sun too.

With sunrise the movement starts. The women milk the cows and make sweet, milky chai.

The calves, and the baby goats and sheep stay in the boma while the adult animals are taken for feeding and drinking in the surrounding savannah. The men comfortably whistle instructions to the cattle, helping themselves with a wooden stick that always accompanies them.

In the meantime, the women are busy, as always. The have to fetch water, firewood, and vegetables to cook. They make a humble –but full of work– breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually consisting of ugali, a vegetable stew, and chai. After feeding the adults and older boys that go off with the cattle, they feed the many children, and wash up all the pots, plates, and cups. Even if their day started at 6, they don’t get a break until after lunch.

The few hours they have in the afternoon before the men go back are spent in the sun, catching up with the other women, working on some crafts, and playing with the children.

The men come back mid-afternoon and the work starts again. Feeding everyone, milking the cows, washing up.

The day starts wrapping up with the young kids making a bonfire and enjoying the warmth while the last rays of lights give way to the stars. They eat and go to sleep.

By 9 o’clock all that can be heard are the animals mooing and bleating. Which is, oddly, a lovely lullaby to fall asleep to.

1 week ago

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3/9

There’s so much of the Masai culture in these two photos. The gentle woman (and little girl imitating her) caring for the animals. The colorful dress. The distinct jewelry. The slight touch of modernity. Motherhood. Baby goats 💕 And what I find most beautiful about the culture: the coexistence and balance. People and cattle thrive in the bush, in perfect equilibrium. _________________________ #masai #lifeinthebush #masaiwomen #strongwomenrule #ruraltanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #onewithnature #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #maasaitribe #maasai #explorewithme #roamwild #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #jointhejourney

experiencingtheglobe

•

There’s so much of the Masai culture in these two photos.

The gentle woman (and little girl imitating her) caring for the animals. The colorful dress. The distinct jewelry. The slight touch of modernity. Motherhood. Baby goats 💕

And what I find most beautiful about the culture: the coexistence and balance. People and cattle thrive in the bush, in perfect equilibrium.

_________________________

#masai #lifeinthebush #masaiwomen #strongwomenrule #ruraltanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #onewithnature #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #maasaitribe #maasai #explorewithme #roamwild #traveldreamseekers #experienceseekers #jointhejourney

1 week ago

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4/9

🌟 Baby goat time 🌟 There are few things in the world that are cuter than baby animals. So when I found myself surrounded by baby goats and sheep, my heart just melted. If you’ve been following my stories, you know I’m spending some time in Central Tanzania in a village in the bush, in a Masai boma, invited by the lovely @masai_story I’ll tell you a lot more about life here during the next few days (and in a blog lengthier blog post, of course), but I wanted to start this chapter of my journey bragging about the baby goats because I just can’t with the cuteness! They are kept in the houses overnight, not with the grown goats and sheep in the cattle pen, and also during the day when the adult animals go grazing, to better protect them. So twice a day -which are becoming my favorite times of the day- the babies are reunited with the mamas in a commotion of ‘baas’ and ‘maas’, until everyone finds their pair, and the boma returns to a peaceful state (watch the videos to see what I mean). Stephanie told me I look in love with the goats. I might be. Although perhaps is with the lifestyle. The connection with nature here is hard to beat. I’m loving every second of this experience! ❤️ _________________________ #masai #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #onewithnature #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #solofemaletraveler #sheisthewild #travelette #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #sofetravel

experiencingtheglobe

•

🌟 Baby goat time 🌟

There are few things in the world that are cuter than baby animals. So when I found myself surrounded by baby goats and sheep, my heart just melted.

If you’ve been following my stories, you know I’m spending some time in Central Tanzania in a village in the bush, in a Masai boma, invited by the lovely @masai_story I’ll tell you a lot more about life here during the next few days (and in a blog lengthier blog post, of course), but I wanted to start this chapter of my journey bragging about the baby goats because I just can’t with the cuteness!

They are kept in the houses overnight, not with the grown goats and sheep in the cattle pen, and also during the day when the adult animals go grazing, to better protect them. So twice a day -which are becoming my favorite times of the day- the babies are reunited with the mamas in a commotion of ‘baas’ and ‘maas’, until everyone finds their pair, and the boma returns to a peaceful state (watch the videos to see what I mean).

Stephanie told me I look in love with the goats. I might be. Although perhaps is with the lifestyle. The connection with nature here is hard to beat. I’m loving every second of this experience! ❤️

_________________________

#masai #lifeinthebush #ruraltanzania #tanzaniaunforgettable #onceinalifetimeexperience #indigenouspeople #truerurallife #babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #tanzaniatravel #countrysidelife #onewithnature #naturecapture #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatenpathtravel #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #allaboutadventure #adventuretravels #solofemaletraveler #sheisthewild #travelette #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #sofetravel

1 week ago

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5/9

Trekking with different apes is in many travel bucket lists (personally, I have chimpanzees in Tanzania ☑️, gorillas in Uganda, and orangutans in Borneo), but there’s a lot more to primates… Because baboons are commonly encountered, people don’t pay much attention to them, but I think they’re super cool! They have a lot more in common with humans than we might think, and that makes them hypnotizing to watch. Before and after my chimp trek, I spend my time in Gombe National Park shadowing the baboons that wander around the guest house. And it was fascinating to see these looked-down at little fellas up-close, from the cutest baboon baby, to the show off alpha male. ______________________ #baboon #wildlife #wildlifeplanet #wildlifephotos #planetoftheapes #primates #inthewild #inthewilderness #exploringtheworld #nationalparkphotography #nationalparklife #wildernessnation #adventurers #outdoorwomen #outdoorlifestyle #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatentrack #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzania #tanzaniaparks #africawildlife #wildafrica #africananimals #africanexperience #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniatourism #natureseekers #natureperfect #naturelovers #connectwithnature

experiencingtheglobe

•

Trekking with different apes is in many travel bucket lists (personally, I have chimpanzees in Tanzania ☑️, gorillas in Uganda, and orangutans in Borneo), but there’s a lot more to primates…

Because baboons are commonly encountered, people don’t pay much attention to them, but I think they’re super cool! They have a lot more in common with humans than we might think, and that makes them hypnotizing to watch.

Before and after my chimp trek, I spend my time in Gombe National Park shadowing the baboons that wander around the guest house. And it was fascinating to see these looked-down at little fellas up-close, from the cutest baboon baby, to the show off alpha male.

______________________

#baboon #wildlife #wildlifeplanet #wildlifephotos #planetoftheapes #primates #inthewild #inthewilderness #exploringtheworld #nationalparkphotography #nationalparklife #wildernessnation #adventurers #outdoorwomen #outdoorlifestyle #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatentrack #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzania #tanzaniaparks #africawildlife #wildafrica #africananimals #africanexperience #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniatourism #natureseekers #natureperfect #naturelovers #connectwithnature

2 weeks ago

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6/9

experiencingtheglobe

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Chimpanzees. That was Jane Goodall’s life in the 1960’s, when the Gombe National Park became her home. She is the one that studied these primates and discovered human-like behaviours in the chimps. If you ever heard about this place is surely because of her.

Getting here was an adventure on itself, but trekking up the mountains of the park to find the wild chimpanzees, and being able to see them up close, absolutely surpassed my expectations. What a beautiful day 💕

An amazing feature worth being highlighted is that this park takes sustainability and conservation seriously. It’s not too visited, but still they limit the number of tourists. People have to wear masks when approaching the chimps. And there’s a limit on the distance and time visitors can spend with any family they run into: up to 30 minutes and not closer than 10 meters. I’m so happy to see that the wildlife comes before tourism in this corner of the country!

A full report on this, and many other off the beaten path destinations in Tanzania is coming soon to the blog. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. Link in my bio!

_________________________

@tanzania_unforgettable @gombe.nationalpark @tanzaniaparks #gombe #chimpanzeetrekking #wildlifephotography #wildlifeofinstagram #wildlifeprotection #chimpanzee #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzaniasafari #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #travelbucketlist #recorriendoelmundo #aroundtheglobe #borntoexplore #wanderlusters #backpackersintheworld #findyouradventure #idhikethat #adventuretravels #hikingadventures #adventurealways #adventurers #naturecapture #naturebeautiful #roamwild #wildernessearth

2 weeks ago

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7/9

Lake Nyasa, Tanzania 🇹🇿 - Probably you’ve never heard of it, and if you do, it was as Lake Malawi
- It’s the third biggest lake in Africa - It’s more than 550 kms long
- It’s shared by three countries: Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi
- Technically, the Tanzanian border is on the shore of the lake, so going in for a dip means getting into Malawi
- The green, misty slopes that surround the lake in the Tanzanian border are known as the Livingston Mountains
- The swing in Matema, the shoreside village that’s been my home for a few days, makes you feel like you’re a child again 💕 _________________________ #viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #roamwild #viajera #solofemaletraveler #sofetravel #findyouradventure #optoutdoors #sheisthewild #offthebeatenpathtravel #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatentrack #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #backpackersintheworld #aroundtheglobe #childatheart #lakesidefun #lakenyasa #lakemalawi #tanzaniaadventure #explorewithme #freshairandfreedom #escapeandwonder #stayadventurous

experiencingtheglobe

•

Lake Nyasa, Tanzania 🇹🇿

– Probably you’ve never heard of it, and if you do, it was as Lake Malawi
– It’s the third biggest lake in Africa – It’s more than 550 kms long
– It’s shared by three countries: Tanzania, Mozambique, and Malawi
– Technically, the Tanzanian border is on the shore of the lake, so going in for a dip means getting into Malawi
– The green, misty slopes that surround the lake in the Tanzanian border are known as the Livingston Mountains
– The swing in Matema, the shoreside village that’s been my home for a few days, makes you feel like you’re a child again 💕

_________________________

#viajerosporelmundo #chilenosporelmundo #recorriendoelmundo #borntoexplore #roamwild #viajera #solofemaletraveler #sofetravel #findyouradventure #optoutdoors #sheisthewild #offthebeatenpathtravel #offthebeatenpath #offthebeatentrack #tanzaniaunforgettable #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #backpackersintheworld #aroundtheglobe #childatheart #lakesidefun #lakenyasa #lakemalawi #tanzaniaadventure #explorewithme #freshairandfreedom #escapeandwonder #stayadventurous

3 weeks ago

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8/9

Best hiking guide ever 🐾 No more words needed, right? ❤️🐶 _____________________ #dogloverscorner #dogsarelife #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #solofemaletraveler #chilenosporelmundo #borntoexplore #findyouradventure #idhikethat #hikemoreworryless #takemetothemountains #sheisthewild #allaboutadventure #escapeandwonder #adventuretravels #stayadventurous #happyadventuring #allaboutadventure #hikingadventures #adventurealways #adventurers #naturecapture #roamwild #usambaramountains

experiencingtheglobe

•

Best hiking guide ever 🐾

No more words needed, right? ❤️🐶

_____________________

#dogloverscorner #dogsarelife #tanzaniatravel #tanzaniaphotography #tanzaniatourism #visittanzania #shewanders #citizenfemme #journeyofgirls #viajera #shetravels #solofemaletraveler #chilenosporelmundo #borntoexplore #findyouradventure #idhikethat #hikemoreworryless #takemetothemountains #sheisthewild #allaboutadventure #escapeandwonder #adventuretravels #stayadventurous #happyadventuring #allaboutadventure #hikingadventures #adventurealways #adventurers #naturecapture #roamwild #usambaramountains

4 weeks ago

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9/9

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