#places to go in bhutan

[housecow]

Would you want to travel sometime in the future? Not just the US, but the world in general? Europe for instance.

yes!! i actually have a trip to italy set up for next year :)) idk about much more than that, grad school will be a massive time commitment but… i will get to do some traveling due to the nature of the program, sooo 🥳

i’d love to visit germany, too!! so many cool fossils, i very much want to see the solnhofen limestone and the associated museums—where the first beautifully preserved archaeopteryx was found!!!

also, as a personal goal. i wanna go to mongolia…… i am a huge fan of wide open space and i want to eat horse in their native habitat

[enderlovez]

Trivia Night

Spencer Reid x BAU Reader WORD COUNT: 791

Summary: Garcia should've known it was a bad idea to put you and Spencer on opposing teams at trivia night, and now she's stuck with two very competitive people who will stop at nothing to win.

────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ──────

Garcia should have known better. Really, she should have.

The idea of a BAU trivia night seemed innocent enough—a fun team-bonding activity after a particularly grueling case. Drinks and snacks and a little friendly competition, what could possibly go wrong?

Apparently everything, when she made the critical error of placing you and Spencer on opposing teams.

"Alright, everybody!" Garcia chirps, standing at the front of the room with her clipboard. "Trivia night rules are simple: answer correctly, earn points; answer incorrectly, face public humiliation—kidding, sort of. Now, let's keep it light and friendly, okay?"

Spencer casts you a sly look from across the room, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Light and friendly," he echoes. "Got it."

You meet his gaze with an arched brow. "Sure, as long as you don't cry when you lose, Doctor Reid."

A ripple of laughter goes through the team, but Garcia sighs, already regretting her decision. "Why did I think this was a good idea?" she mutters to herself, scribbling a quick note to never pair you two against each other again.

The first few rounds go smoothly enough. Questions about geography and pop culture and history fly by, each team racking up points. You nd Spencer trade victories, but the air between you grows increasingly charged with every answer.

"You didn't even buzz in for that one!" you accuse after Spencer correctly answers a particularly obscure literature question.

"Because the answer was obvious," he replies smugly, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, it's on," you mutter, cracking your knuckles dramatically, much to the amusement of the rest of them.

By the time the final round rolls around, the room is split between two factions: Team Spencer and Team You. Everyone else has resigned themselves to the sidelines, content to watch the show. Even Garcia has given up trying to referee, instead leaning against the bar with a drink in hand.

"This question," she announces, "is for the win."

You sit up straighter, your focus narrowing. Across the table, Spencer mirrors your intensity. His sleeves are rolled up, his tie loosened—classic signs of a man in deep competition mode.

"What is the capital of Bhutan?" Garcia asks, her eyes flicking between the two of you.

Your hand slams down on the buzzer half a second before Spencer's. "Thimphu!" you shout triumphantly.

Garcia checks her clipboard, nodding slowly. "Correct."

You throw your hands up in victory, earning cheers from your teammates. Spencer, however, is already leaning forward, his expression incredulous.

"That was a reflex," he argues. "She didn't even think about it."

You smirk, holding your hand up for a high-five from Morgan. "Or maybe I'm just faster and smarter than you, genius."

Spencer narrows his eyes. "Faster, maybe. Smarter? That's debatable."

The room erupts into laughter as you two go back and forth, your playful banter quickly escalating into a full-blown debate over split-second reaction times and the nuances of trivia strategy.

"Alright, alright!" Garcia finally intervenes, clapping her hands to get your attention. "We're calling it there before this turns into a break up. Trivia night is supposed to be fun, remember?"

You glance at Spencer, who's still staring at you like you've personally insulted his entire academic career. Despite his faux-annoyance, there's a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"Truce?" you offer, extending your hand towards him.

He considers it for a moment before shaking it. "Truce. But don't think this means I'm letting you win next time."

"Next time, you'll have to try harder," you reply with a wink.

As the room starts to clear now, you linger by the bar, waiting for Spencer to join you. When he does, he's holding two drinks—one for each of you.

"Good game," he says, handing you the glass.

"You're not mad I beat you?" you tease, taking a sip.

"Mad? No," he replies, leaning against the counter. "Impressed? Maybe. I didn't think you'd know the capital of Bhutan."

You grin, nudging him playfully. "I'm full of surprises."

Spencer chuckles, his gaze softening as he looks at you. "You know, Garcia's probably ever going to let us be on opposing teams again."

"Probably not," you agree. "But it was fun while it lasted."

The two of you fall into a comfortable silence, the earlier competitiveness melting away. Despite the antics, it's moments like these—when you're teasing each other, laughing, and completely at ease—that make everything worth it.

"By the way," Spencer says after a moment, his tone casual but laced with mischief, "you buzzed in half a second early. Technically, you cheated."

You roll your eyes, but your smile doesn't fade. "Technically, I still won."

"Technically," he echoes, his lips quirking into a small smile.

And just like that, the competition starts all over again.

[old-school-butch]

israel has now seized equipment owned by The Associated Press. Are they also a wing of Hamas?

Ya know, try not to get hopped up over every damn thing ok? They've already agreed to return it. And why did they take it?

"The Israeli Communications Ministry had earlier accused AP of breaking the law by providing a live broadcast to Al Jazeera, which it placed under a temporary ban earlier this month, accusing it of endangering national security."

Meh, media is restricted in war zones, big surprise. It's really not new or important. These petty things that gobble up your attention are just played up to manipulate you. Meanwhile, Putin has offered Ukraine a ceasefire as long as he can keep everything he's already seized from Ukraine. You're a ceasefire fan, are you supporting this one too? And China released a new map of itself that includes vast swaths of territories currently part of India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines and even Russia - making it the country with the most disputed land claims in the world. Boycott? Divest? Sanction? No? Bhutan (population 1 million) is literally watching China (population 1 billion) move soldiers and settlers into more than 10% of its sovereign territory. I thought colonialism was important to you, what gives?

There is more to global news than you're getting from Al Jazeera. If you find yourself getting outraged by a stream petty bullshit, you're just reading propaganda. Look around to see what's really going on in the world.

[seekingabettergood]

“How dare you do this to me?! You aren’t the only one who has lost people, you know. I can’t lose you, too!” -Aberforth When he answered the door to his safehouse he expected to see a one Mr. Scamander- Since he was the only one who he'd willingly given the location of his safehouse in Paris to in the first place. He was surprised to come face to face with his younger brother. "How did you find me?" He said wearily, looking utterly exhausted. He'd hone missing under the radar for weeks now; he's taken a leave of absence from Hogwarts since the events of Bhutan had happened, and had disappeared the night after Queenie and Jacobs rendezvous at the bakery afterwards. He looked awful; there were dark circles under his eyes that were red and bloodshot, auburn curls and beard grown out more over the weeks in his disappearance, since he'd been severely lacking in caring for himself since. He reeked of bourbon and fire whiskey and God knows what else.

───⋆☆─────────────

"I looked." Aberforth replied shortly, gruffly, voice rife with irritation but colored with worry. "That's how."

What he didn't say was how he had checked inns, checked Saint Mungos, had even gone back to the house in Godric's Hollow just in case. He didn't tell him how he'd gone up and down every street that he had passed in Paris. He didn't tell him that he had drawn a stick figure with a shock of bright red hair and a red triangle of a beard and had managed to string together Avez-vous and vu from the pocket translator dictionary he'd picked up. It tripped out of his mouth sounding more like 'Avay voo-voo?" which he would repeat to anyone who would give him a moment, shouting it on occasion while brandishing the paper as they backed away. He didn't tell him that once he ran out of doors in Paris he was going to go on to the next place and the next, however many it would take.

Even with all that travel he looked better than Albus, had shaved recently enough that only stubble had filled in, had bathed too. He kicked slightly at the stoop.

"I've come a very long way. Are you going to let me in or not?"

@the-greater-good-1899

[ivory--raven]

oops, day 23's late, but here it is. "Copycat" and an excuse to bring up a really cool building. Nobody can keep a secret in Heaven or Hell.

It doesn’t take long to put the pieces together.

“Gabriel’s doing something suspicious,” says Michael. “He’s leaving and coming back without new suits. And he’s not taking Sandalphon with him. Sandalphon misses him.”

“How anyone can miss Gabriel I’ll never know,” says Dagon. 

“Something’s up,” says Michael with certainty. If anyone knows Gabriel, it’s Michael.

“Hope it’s nothing bad for you,” she says.

“Probably won’t be. It’s annoying, he’s started singing this song to himself.” Michael hums to demonstrate.

It’s a familiar song. Dagon has heard it before. Far too often, recently. “Beelzebub loves it. Plays it all the time.” 

“That’s funny,” says Michael. What an odd coincidence!

It can’t be a coincidence.

“Next time Gabriel leaves Heaven, call me,” says Dagon.

Michael calls. “He just left.”

“Going down?”

“Just to Earth.”

Dagon slinks outside, Michael still on the line. The hallways are still clogged with angry demons with nothing to do, but they’ve calmed down enough that they’re all stewing independently in their own annoyance about the lack of Armageddon. They don’t pose a threat anymore. Someone calls out to her - “Duke Dagon, I was coming to-” but she brushes past them and doesn’t hear the rest of what they have to say. She has places to be.

And there, going into the elevator up, is Beelzebub.

“Guess who’s also going to Earth,” Dagon says into the phone, and speedwalks back to her office.

“I’m scanning for demonic presences,” says Michael. “Okay… couple minor spots in America… England, London, that’ll be Crowley, there’s something in the Côte d’Ivoire…”

Dagon closes her office door behind her. “Côte d’Ivoire, you said… no, that’s Josh, that’s accounted for. Shax is also in London. America should be Eric.”

“Malaysia?”

“Asterik’s there.”

“Bhutan?”

“That’ll be Abaddon.”

“Ecuador?”

Dagon scans her page. “Ecuador… Ecuador… no one’s there.”

“Meet you there,” says Michael. “Looks like it’s Quito.”

Dagon prefers Guayaquil, and would rather be going there to trace the Grand Duke of Hell with Michael, but she emerges from the ground in Quito just outside the massive basilica. She looks around for Michael, and there she is - inside. Of course.

“Michael!”

Michael looks disapprovingly at the basilica. “It’s full of gift shops, Dagon, there’s a bar.”

A bar in a basilica, that’s funny. “You coming out? Cause I’m not coming in, and I don’t think Beelzebub would either.”

“You probably could,” sniffs Michael, but she leaves the edge of the consecrated ground anyway. “Now, if they’re both here…”

They wander down the street, holding hands, ignoring the vendors and the food and the signs. There’s a statue ahead of them in the distance, rising above the city, a woman with wings. Looking up at it are -

“That’s them,” says Michael. “They’re looking at the statue.”

“They’re together,” says Dagon. Gabriel and Beelzebub are hand in hand. Gabriel is saying something, and Beelzebub is smiling, waving their free hand at him. They’re teasing him. 

“Well that’s that settled,” Michael says. 

“Think it’s good for them,” offers Dagon. “I don’t know about Gabriel, obviously, but Beelzebub has been happy. Even if they do play that song over and over.”

“He’s happy,” says Michael. “We don’t have to…”

“No, of course not,” says Dagon. “Let them have this.”

[hollowed-theory-hall]

This...makes me wonder. Could Bhutan have served as a sanctuary or a place where the horcrux removal could have taken place (I don't trust the goblins)

https://youtu.be/0nfm4jR3Zzw?si=-s69ZssMig831dt7

I have to say I'm uncertain what you're asking.

I don't really consider the Fantastic Beasts movies canon, and while I have seen fics that use Gringotts as a place and means to remove the Horcrux from Harry, I don't actually think the goblins could do something like that. I mean, I don't think goblins are experts in wizards' soul magic, they have no reason to know anything about it actually. I don't think the average goblin would know how to recognize a Horcrux or even what it is.

I don't actually think the location matters when it comes to removing the Horcrux from Harry, either, the method is what matters. Certain locations could potentially help focus magic in general, like Bhutan might do, but it doesn't mean this ritual can't be practiced successfully elsewhere.

That being said, you can headcanon whatever you like and write whatever you like.

But, if you're asking how I would go about removing the Horcrux from Harry without a killing curse, well, that I can answer.

I assume you are referring to my post regarding how to make a Horcrux with this question. Well, let's use that to outline how to remove the Hrocrux. The soul shard from Voldemort is tied to Harry with a spirit of life that wasn't initially there, so Harry has one body, two spirits, and two souls (essentially).

So, to remove the Horcrux (the extra soul) you need to sever what ties it to Harry, which happens to be a spirit of life; this is why the Killing Curse works. But, let's say we don't want to kill Harry, I think, in the same way, you tie the knot, you can untie it.

Essentially a reverse ritual.

Option 1:

You will create a Moriai Thread, like in the Horcrux ritual, but this time, not for yourself, but for the Horcrux. So you could mimic cutting it or untying it and releasing the soul. There is going to be a spell involved here as well, but I haven't come up with it yet.

Essentially though, you are doing this same ritualistic death you did to make a Horcrux, except now you're using it to kill the Horcrux without killing the container.

Option 2:

A Horcrux, as I established in this post about making them, is an oath. the word "Hrocrux" can be literally translated to "binding oath of death and rebirth", as such the final binding of the container and the soul, the final bond between you and life — is an oath.

If the creator of the Horcrux breaks this oath (which I believe he swears to keep himself among the living) then the bond between the container and Horcrux would break. What I'm saying is that remorse would actually work. Well, sort of.

It's not exactly remorse, but regret. The moment the Horcrux creator wishes to die, and regrets the making of the Horcruxes, that's when they break the oath. As long as Voldemort wants to live, he keeps his oath to the Horcruxes, the moment he doesn't want to live anymore, or regrets making the Horcruxes — the tie is going to break.

Bonus Option:

If you want a specific location that can be used to remove the Horcrux, your best bet would be the Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries (but only for Harry, specifically). I mentioned here how I think Harry is the only wizard who'll be able to walk into the veil and come back out and why. So, another means to remove the Horcrux would be for Harry to walk into the veil and then walk back out, as it would sever the life that isn't Harry's. So, the veil would kill the Horcrux but not Harry.

That is if Harry is intentionally leaving the Horcrux behind. If Harry goes in without knowing about the Horcrux, he might leave it behind and he might accidentally bring it back with him. Magic is all about intention so it depends. If Harry, without knowing of the Horcrux, subconsciously considers the Horcrux part of himself it'll survive. If Harry doesn't see it as part of himself, the Horcrux would likely die.

[psychologeek]

Random questions Google can't help me with:

(even if you don't know, reblog could help a LOT in getting to "the person who knows". So thank you 😊)

1. Islam - How likely it is that Jason use the Hijra (hijaric?) Calander during his time with the LoA🤔

2. Geo-history: spoken languages in Western Asia around 1,300-1,500? Doesn't have to be spesific by years, just sort of. I try to get the possible location, language, religious and calander for some things.

3. what language do the All-caste speak?

Current thoughts:

LoA!

Probably somewhere in the Zagros Mountains? Maybe in the Iranian part. They do speak Arabic, but also Urdo, parasian and pashto. The main Dialect is Arabic, bc it's Ras Al-Ghul og language and that's how he taught his students.

(Also - mybe related to religious? Muslim probably (DoB ~1,300). And iirc being able to read the Qur'an properly has important meaning? I AM NOT MUSLIM PLZ CORRECT ME).

It has a lot of hiding places, wondering tribes, and places to grow food. Going to missions can hide as wonderers.

All-caste!

In the Himalayas, but "Himalayas" is f* HUGE.

WHERE??? Bhutan? China? India? Nepal? Pakistan?

[crionn]

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ☁︎. : guide to myrithen !!

visual concept: myrithen is located in the heart of orion's dense wood, known to be a mysterious place full of whimsy and magic. here, trees grow hundreds of times larger than normal and are hued with odd colors year-round. denizens of myrithen live in harmony with nature, with their places of residence built into the hollows of the wood, or nestled within the crooks of the branches. passageways are built into the trees, which are all intricately connected to one another.

portal: the valmiki national park in bhutan, india, deep within one of its dense forests. outsiders would find it difficult to access due to its surrounding terrain, but it is possible with the proper gear, a good compass, and determination. the portal takes the form of a wooden doorway suspended in the middle of the forest.

ruling house: house of avalon, under elected queen titania.

heir: (name reserved for jude to decide here).

motto: from life comes life.

the city-state of myrithen: myrithen is a small realm vastly closed-off from outsiders, and much of their culture is kept a secret. however, they highly value the perception of the world around them; when they do allow visitors into the main city, they are known to prepare for the visit for months in advance. they're infamous for throwing the most extravagant, picturesque parties on the edge of the wood, which is about as far as most tourists are allowed to get when they visit myrithen. myrithen houses many races, and if you are a denizen of myrithen you may call yourself myrithinian.

locations: the edge of the wood houses a vast artisanal market filled with stalls selling food and trinkets for the tourists; the arbor hotel is quite popular for those looking to experience living inside a tree. deeper inside you may find vast libraries with books on every subject, flower gardens, workshops for artisans-in-training, sports fields and tracks, farms with animals and agriculture, apothecaries, and a large river cutting through the wood.

how to reach myrithen: the trees at the edge of the wood are readily accessible to outsiders, with elevators (on a pully system) built in. however, trying to slip past security to go deeper is nigh-impossible, especially if you do not have a silver bond mark on your palm.

population: sylphs and myrithines make up the majority races living in the wood. myrithen also houses an overabundance of magical flora and fauna.

jobs: artisans of all kinds (blacksmiths, instrument-makers, painters, craftsmen), farmers, musicians, athletes, scholars and academics, authors, chefs, fishermen, those elected to the government, healers.

mythology: a deep reverence for all of nature's gifts, including every plant, animal, and beast. many myrithinians choose to abide by vegan diets, but you won't be judged if you eat meat.

myrithen, a society: the society of myrithen is very active and relatively free, unrestricted by old-fashioned customs (besides the ever-valued practice of bonding). there are always boisterous events held in various parts of the wood; even the elderly in myrithen are blessed with the energy of the young. it is a bit merit-based, and having flashy accomplishments (like making the best steamed buns in the wood) makes your life so much easier. people will be more inclined to invite you to parties or give you discounts if you're cool like that. they hold sporting events in high regard. some parts of myrithen's society can be quite cutthroat, as word travels fast amongst the trees -- falling out of favor can mean immediate changes to the way you're treated.

the myrithines: the native race of myrithen are known as myrithines - characterized by sharp features, a point in their ear, and often some other strange animalistic trait (elves with a bit of plant/animal mixed in, basically). above all, those living in myrithen value their relationship with nature, life, and earth.

the sylphs: the second majority race of myrithen. the sylphs have actually been there longer than the myrithines, so technically they should be called myrithines, but... well... the person who writes history first makes it! the sylphs are humanoids, and are slightly smaller in size. they possess insect wings, large eyes, and boundless energy. they are able to fly, which makes them indispensable in the upkeep of myrithen's tree-based society. they are proficient in light, air, and illusion magicks.

the practice of soul-bonding: myrithines practice a form of magic known colloquially as soul bonding, wherein the user extends their life force outside of their body and interacts with the energies around them. this has an effect on their physical bodies, often giving them some trait from their bond partner.

bonding: basically establishing a life partnership with an element of nature, whether that be plant or beast. this bond is a highly valued part of the culture, which everyone is eventually expected to complete, usually by the time they come of age (twenty cycles). myrithines are highly discouraged from leaving myrithen before having bonded.

the process of bonding leaves the myrithine with a characteristic silver mark on the palm of their hand, and establishes a psychic link of sorts between the myrithine and their partner. they are able to freely share life energies with one another and understand each other's communications. when one comes to harm, the other will feel it in some manner. over time, this relationship has a visible effect on the physical body of the myrithine, and they develop traits from their bonded.

bonding must be consensual from both sides, and may happen with plants or beasts outside of myrithen, although that is rare and discouraged, as the nature of this magic is a guarded secret. bonding cannot happen between a myrithine and a member of a humanoid race of equal standing.

bonded creatures or plants are off-limits from being harmed in any manner. more vulnerable bond partners (like bugs) often must be kept in protective enclosures, although the status of being bonded gives them magical protection too.

only one bond may be made in a myrithine's lifetime. a myrithine and their bonded usually expire around the same time, as they share life energy with each other. however, there have been cases of a myrithine double-bonding after their bonded passes away.

life energy manipulation: this is the magic practiced by those of the wood. denizens of myrithen are more sensitive to the vital energies of everything around them. with practice, talented individuals can draw that energy into themselves to channel into other types of magic, although that comes with the decay of their source.

hunters, fishermen, farmers and the like must pass a series of tests in order to obtain their license for taking life. only those skilled with life energy magic are qualified to do this on a mass level; this also ensures that no one's bond partners are accidentally harmed, as this status can be sensed in a creature or plant's aura.

dragons: one of myrithen's most highly guarded secrets are its dragons, creatures unique to the realm, born out of the abundance of natural energy. no one really knows much about them, except that they exist and tend to make their homes at the very tops of the realm's tallest trees and mountains. they range in size, shape, and color as much as precious stones found in the earth and are highly intelligent. most are scaled creatures with fire in their gullet.

it is possible for myrithines to bond with a dragon, and those who have dragonbonded are highly valued. often they come away from the bonding with tougher bodies, bright jewel-like eyes like their dragon partners, and sharper teeth.

bonding with a dragon is an arduous, dangerous process that involves journeying to a mountain’s peak to present oneself to the dragon population. only those chosen may bond. if you are met with disapproval, you may be thrown from the peak — but glory is granted to those who succeed.

dragonbonded individuals learn to love the sky as much as their dragon, flying with them on their backs. with their vast amounts of life energy, they are able to perform more impressive feats of magic.

the realm’s protector: a dragonbonded individual by the name of varshahn, and his dragon nasuada.

[have-some-facts]

Alright, I’m suddenly interested in an animal. So enjoy

✨Red ‘panda’s’✨

You might wonder why ‘pandas’. Well, they aren’t actually pandas. They’re in the same family as raccoons, skunks and weasels. They are not even a little related, only that they’re in the Aminalia kingdom (kingdom of all types of animals, including humans).

Also, Red pandas live in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and China, while pandas (talking about the giant panda specifically) only live in China. Red pandas also live in the Himalayas.-Also, they’re fucking adorable.

Just- ah.

Now, a sad thing (kore and other people who don’t want a sad thing please skip this, I don’t wanna make y’all sad🥹)-is that they’re almost extinct. They’re are only around 10.000 left in total. This is because of climate change and deforestation. So think twice when you eat that soja bean because it was probably harvested in a place that got burned down or cut down.

Now onto the fun facts,

You see that picture of the red ‘panda’ in the bottom right? They lay like this to cool off. They’re body temperature is around the same as ours with 37 degrees Celsius.

Also, when they are too hot they basically curl up into their tail and go into a deep sleep.

Now onto their diet. They are in the order Carnivora. But these silly little creatures rarely eat meat. Noo, they use their sharp teeth and strong jaws to eat bamboo and other plants.

Fun fact, red pandas are the first pandas to be discovered. Which is weird since, we’ve gone over this god damnit, they’re not actually pandas! But hey, who really cares? They’re very cute and they also really like to play.

They also sleep for two thirds of the day. They’re more active in the twilight hours than when the sun is up.

Normally these red cat-bears (yes, that’s one of their names) like to sleep in hollow trees and on tree branches.-The first ‘pandas’ (yes, that is also a name for them) also have specials paws and wrists. This is because they have a pseudo thumb. A pseudo thumb is a bigger, modified bone that they use for climbing trees and grabbing bamboo. Giant pandas also have pseudo thumbs, but they use it for different stuff. This is called “convergent evolution”. That is when two different species faced similar situations and evolved to look similar.

Red pandas are usually quiet, but sometimes make sounds. And those are quacks. (Also squeals, twitters, hisses and grunts). You can google/search it up to hear for yourself!

And now some other cute red bear-cat pictures.

Have a good day! :D

@iwanttobepersephone

[mahayanapilgrim]

Why did Guru Rinpoche leave hand and foot prints on the rocks?

Guru Padmasambhava predicted that in the future, there would be people who did not believe that he was real or that anyone could do such miraculous things.

As a testimony, he left hand prints in the rocks around four different lakes in Tibet which can still be seen. He said, "I have definitely come to Tibet. These are my monuments."

Guru Rinpoche also left four footprints in the four directions, two in Tibet and two elsewhere, south of Tibet.

He even left his body print in the mountains of Bhutan, near the Tibetan border.

This is not just a story or a myth. You can still go there on pilgrimage and see his whole body impression in solid rock.

These are reminders that Guru Padmasambhava actually came into this world and shared his wisdom.

Guru Rinpoche himself said that in all the caves and places he has meditated people in the future could receive his blessing as if meeting him in person. There are different kinds of caves which represent Guru Rinpoche's enlightened aspects such as Body, Speech, Mind, Quality and Activity.

Furthermore Guru Rinpoche mentioned that especially in the time of degeneration (Kaliyuga) visiting those Holy places would be very beneficial for one's spiritual development and purification of sicknesses and obstacles.

May you all be blessed.

[squarebracket-trickster]

Happy Storyteller Saturday, Kate!

Inspiration can come from anywhere; what's one of the more expected places you've gotten ideas from?

Hi Saran!

Thanks for the STS<333

I am assuming you meant unexpected but perhaps I shall answer both just for fun:)

An unexpected place:

Minutes before the final exam is handed out for my intro to political science course (this was a while ago, pre-pandemic actually), we're all sitting the lecture hall chatting quietly. The girl beside me asks, "how's your day going?"

I remembered having read an article earlier that day about a bunch of nuns in Bhutan? Nepal? I can't remember now, but they study Kung Fu. I tell her this.

She looks up at the front where the exams are sitting in piles waiting to be distributed and my eyes follow. Then we look back at each other at the same moment and she says, "let's go."

We did not, in fact, run away to Nepal together. But I did get the idea for WIPIX right then. It's going to be a duology (the books named Good Ol' Fashioned Pirates and Ye Olde Skull and Cross Bones) about a group of bored college kids that run away to become pirates. The indicting incident, of course, happens as an exam is being passed out and the characters make a different choice than I did.

An expected place:

Last summer the northern lights were supposed to visible over my city around midnight so my dad and I went out on the rocks near our house (overlooking the beach) where we figured there would be the least light pollution (without having to drive for an hour out of the suburbs). We never saw the northern lights that night (still too much light pollution damn you Vancouver) but we did see the milky way. That was the most clearly I have ever seen it.

Some time that night, as I was staring up at the stars, I started thinking about relativity, light speed, and time travel. I came up with this cool idea for a Da Vinci-style contraption (laced with a lil' magic), somewhere between a telescope and projector inside a room full of mirrors, where you could bounce light off an object far in the distance (like a distant planet or moon) and send that light into the future. If you projected an image of yourself you would be sent to the stars and back to earth, and effectively time-travel.

I still need to iron out a whole host of kinks to make this make even a lick of sense, but I liked the aesthetic of it - an "analog" way to time travel - and it became part of the inspiration for WIPXIV, which involves a 15th century secret society of time-travelling plague doctors fighting off the zombie apocalypse with machine guns.

[mansipatel5]

A Blend of Serenity and Adventure: Iguazu Falls and Bhutan

Down in South America, there's this awesome bunch of waterfalls called Iguazu Falls. It's cool, and once you see it, you won't forget how amazing it is. It's in both Argentina and Brazil, showing off nature's incredible power and beauty. If you're up for a fun adventure, choosing an Iguazu tour package is like being in a real adventure movie. You get to explore, feel all excited, and enjoy the calm in a super pretty rainforest.

Choosing Your Adventure

How Many Days? - If you have less time, go for 2-3 days. If you want a big adventure, go for 5-7 days!

Where to Stay? - Stay close to the waterfalls! It's cooler that way. You can see them whenever you want!

Fun Stuff to Do! - Get a guide who knows everything! They'll show you the best places. Look for boat rides, jungle walks, and bird watching.

Getting Around? - You need a good ride. Some Iguazu tour packages include rides everywhere, even from the airport.

Meet New Friends! - Don't just see waterfalls. Meet people and try their food. It's fun and makes the adventure better!

Here's a simple plan for a 5-day adventure:

Day 1: Welcome to the Tour!

Get to your hotel and meet your guide.

Have dinner and meet your new friends.

Day 2: Waterfall Day in Argentina!

Spend the whole day viewing different beautiful waterfalls in Argentina.

Walk on cool paths and maybe go on a boat ride near the waterfalls.

Day 3: Waterfall Day in Brazil!

Go to Brazil to see more waterfalls from a different side.

Take it easy in the afternoon or do something fun!

Day 4: Adventure in the Jungle!

Go on a jungle walk and embrace the beauty of nature’s plants and animals.

At night, see a show and eat yummy food.

Day 5: Farewell!

Engage in some fun nearby activities in the morning.

Say goodbye to the falls and bid your farewell until next time.

Many sites and travel agencies offer great Iguazu tour packages. One must do extensive research and choose the most suitable option. You can see waterfalls, explore the jungle, and have the best time. So, get ready, pack your stuff, and let's go have a super cool adventure together!

In this same article, let us also talk about a few of the best Bhutan tour packages.

Bhutan is a cool place hiding in big mountains. People call it the Land of the Thunder Dragon, where nature, culture, and joy hang out. Bhutan tour packages are like special tickets for you to have a fun trip, checking out colorful traditions, amazing views, and a different way of living.

Bhutanese Lifestyle: In Bhutan, people like their culture and pretty places. On the tour, you'll see cool festivals, and old castles, and meet friendly locals who specially do things.

Thimphu: Start your adventure in Thimphu, the main city. Check out the cool Tashichho Dzong castle and the busy markets, showing what Bhutan is all about.

Paro and the Tiger's Nest: Paro is a mesmerizing place. Don't miss the hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery—it's a magical place on a high rock that you must most definitely visit.

Punakha and Dochula Pass: We must go and visit Punakha, an old capital, and see the Punakha Dzong castle. Also, visit the Dochula Pass for super pretty views of big mountains and special 108 shortens.

Nature's Miracle: Bhutan's nature is super pretty and Bhutan tour packages make it a point to highlight the same. Tours take you to cool places like Phobjikha Valley to see special birds and Haa Valley, a quiet place surrounded by big mountains. If you love nature, Bhutan has lots of cool plants and animals.

Taste Of Bhutan: Bhutan is known for its local food which is delicious to taste. Ema Datshi which is a cheese and chili stew and momos which is otherwise known as dumplings are delicious and locally made yummy food.

Celebrations: Bhutan loves to celebrate. Tours often happen during these fun times. You can watch cool dances, see special ceremonies, and join in the happy local parties.

Sustainable Travel: Bhutan cares about the Earth. Tours follow Bhutan's plan to travel in a good way that helps the local community and doesn't hurt the environment. Your visit can make things better for everyone there.

The adventurous trip to Bhutan is not just a regular vacation; it's a big adventure where happiness, culture, and nature all come together to celebrate the beauty of nature. Bhutan tour packages make sure you have an awesome time, discovering the magic of this special place while keeping it happy and safe. Get ready for a journey that will give you happy memories of a cool and warm adventure.

[supernatasha]

On the Mediterraneans and the South Asians

Honestly, it pisses me off so much when people say the Ancient Greeks/Romans were all white because these ignorant people have no idea how much mingling there was of Africans and South Asians in these areas, particularly the Asians. So here's a quick little history lesson talking about the Mediterraneans (Greek, Persian, Assyrians) and South Asia (Aryans, Dravidians, Tamils).

First of all, we all know race is a social construct, right? Okay, second, I'll try to provide modern-day locations along with their past counter-parts to avoid getting confusing because I know not everyone has this shit memorized like me (rather uselessly, it seems). Also of importance, a HUGE amount of South Asia's history has been lost due to colonization of modern-day India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Burma (Myanmar). So unfortunately, much of this will rely more extensively on records from the somewhat better preserved Greek and other Mediterraneans rather than the South Asians (though there is still plenty of info). 

So let's start with about... 6th century BC, okay? For a hint of what we're dealing with, check out this very rad and surprisingly accurate map of the 8th century. Estimations of the beginning of the Greek empire are about 800 BC. South Asian civilizations are just about in the middle of their Iron Age, which overlaps with the Vedic period (the settling of Aryans into modern day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan). These are relatively light skinned people, by the way, who had been mingling with East Asians, Europeans, Africans, and Dravidians/Tamils (local people of South Asia) for several thousand centuries. So you probably think they're white...

Thankfully, we have art to show us explicit brown people and people with East Asian features (epicanthal fold) :

Greeks were perfectly aware of dark brown skinned people in Africa during this time period, btw.

First of all, I don't quite know how well-researched/respected this book by Edward Pococke written in the 1800s is, but this guy gives us a semi-convincing argument that South Asian tribes basically settled in the Mediterranean first a long time ago. But on the other hand, I genuinely believe this whole argument can just as easily be applied to North African tribes, and that's probably more likely. (Also, he says Mediterranean language is descended from Sanskrit, which is a bit inaccurate; both Mediterranean languages and Sanskrit are descended from Proto-Indo-European.) But anyway, if you're looking for more info, read through the book. It's not that long, it's pretty interesting, and a lot of what he says is pretty good proof of Africans founding Mediterranean civilizations. 

So, one of the earliest hints we have of Greeks sharing roots with Aryans was the religious cult of Orphism, which was descended from the myth of Orpheus. It's first hints appeared in literature around 600 BC. It shares many elements with the Aryan version of Vedic Hinduism, and it has often been theorized that the journey Orpheus traveled through was a reference to India.

In 537 BC, Cyrus (Persia) makes it to Peshawar (Afghanistan) and adds Gandhar (also in Afghanistan) to his kingdom; Hindus will recognize this as the name of another ancient kingdom. and Darius makes it to Punjab (Pakistan/India). 

In 484 BC, Herodotos (Greek) wrote another book about India. In it, he describes South Indians (Dravidians) as "dark as Ethiopians" and North Indians (Aryans) as "similar to Egyptians in appearance." HMMMM. 

Around 380-ish or so, we get Megasthenes. This guy claims he knows Hercules and Dionysus (both the god and the ambassador) hung out in Pentapotamia (Punjab) a lot. He came with a whole court, and he got as far south as Sri Lanka (which is pretty much as south as you can possibly go, unless you wanna go down to the Maldives or Mauritius). Now, he was not "discovering" these places; the Greeks and other western cultures were well aware of them, as well as of their religion. He was an ambassador. This implies that these people were in close enough contact to have ambassadors. Here's the book he wrote on Indika. 

In about 327 BC, Alexander "the Great" comes knocking around Paurav (modern day Punjab). At the time, that was considered the border of the biggest empire around, seeing as how Alexander's armies slaughtered all the "tribes" he encountered on his way to Paurav. Now he encounters the surrender of King Purrushotam... and on his shield is something resembling a symbol of the Shurasens (Herakles), and some historians have predicted that's because this guy had ancestry related to the Greeks. You know who? Our friend Megasthenes!

In 322 BC, Alex dies and King Chandragupta of the Maurya empire reconquers the northwest (Punjab, etc). At this point, those people are practically indistinguishable from both north Aryans and east Grecians. 

In 250, the Greco-Bactrian kingdom develops (present day Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan). This city, acknowledged in Hellenic texts as a Greek city, sat right at the edge of the Hindu-Kush mountains, leaving little room to doubt they were mixing with the Aryans on that side and the Iranians (called Sogdiana back then, where it's presumed some Aryans migrated to South Asia from) on the other side. (Bactria, btw, is considered one of the early Central Asian civilizations, not Greek or South Asian, and their religion was a FASCINATING mix of Zoroastrianism Hinduism, Buddhism, and eventually early Christianity and Islam.) Check out this rad Bactrian art: 

Around 180 BC, the Greco-Bactrian empire pretty officially converts into the Indo-Greek Kingdom with Demetrius's arrival. 

Also, check out this map of East Asians mixing with the Greeks and the South Asians during this time: 

"Alexander took these away from the Aryans and established settlements of his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to Sandrocottus (Chandragupta), upon terms of intermarriage and of receiving in exchange 500 elephants." - this is talking about what's now modern-day Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Now, since this is talking about intermarriage in about 64 BC, we can assume that they've been getting it on for a while. So there are plenty of Greeks running around in actual Greece descended from people of Aryan/Dravidian backgrounds. 

[sh1mo1]

The Dooars Compilation

Went on my curriculum mandatory excursion literally the next day after I returned from Varanasi. I needed a 48hr nap after so I'm making this post now.

Didn't take any pictures of my son on the train or any locomotive because I was paranoid I was gonna drop him or someone would snatch him away. But I did manage to take good pictures of him in other places!

First, we arrived at our resort which was inside a National Park. That meant we were in a buffer zone where animals could come out from the forest. We were always asked to go out in groups and use a torchlight at night. Thankfully(or maybe regrettably) we had no animal encounters except for a few peacocks and peahens.

We went out for a walk in the tea plantation right nearby. We weren't allowed in the factory though, unfortunately. Took some pretty pictures of my son instead!

The next day we drove up to Kalimpong and rested at an inn there. We could see Bhutan form where we were.

On our way down, we stopped in front of a small river. Pardon me, but I don't remember the name.

The next day we went to the Buxa Tiger reserve and Jayanti. When we arrived, the sky was clear. However, the longer we stayed there, the mountain slowly got covered with the clouds....it was so cool to see. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of my son here.

The next day we set out for Lava and visited the Kagyu Thekchen Ling monastery there.

Unfortunately, I also forgot to take pictures of Leona here but I'm sure he enjoyed the view from my bag.

That is all! I've hit the picture limit and I don't really have anymore pictures of my Leona nui. I wish I could've included pictures of the plants I took there, but maybe next time...!?

Have a good day/night <3

[lingshanhermit]

Ling Shan Hermit: Can a Holy Land Cleanse One's Soul?

As a Buddhist, a question that I often get asked is whether visiting places rich in Buddhist culture, such as Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, truly purifies the soul. Well, if you're traveling for pleasure, these destinations offer a great experience. You can enjoy your time, absorb the unique local atmosphere, and witness life under different cultures. But if you believe that staying in these places for some time can cleanse your soul, you might end up disappointed.

Many practitioners around me dedicate a large portion of their day to spiritual practices. They have stayed with me for many years, with the Buddhist teachings washing over them daily. Yet, many of them have just begun to grasp the concept of practice. So, those who believe that circling around Bodh Gaya or Mount Kailash will elevate their souls are seen as outsiders by true practitioners. I do not believe that any place possesses the power to cleanse the soul. (Of course, some holy sites provide blessings, but these blessings are clearly not enough to cause a dramatic transformation.)

If a place truly possessed such magical powers, then its inhabitants would have already achieved enlightenment—given that they receive this 'baptism' daily. In reality, most of them are just like you, having human weaknesses and exhibiting greed, anger, and ignorance, possessing various scheming thoughts, and playing all sorts of games. However, most people are deceived by the facade. Many go to Nepal, Bhutan, or Bodh Gaya. They spend only a brief time there. They do not understand the local language, and the locals do not understand theirs. But the locals know that these visitors have something they desire. To get what they want, they will put on the appearance that the visitors expect to see. Thus, you see plenty of devout appearances, but not the calculation and strife hidden beneath this devout exterior.

Certainly, you can go to India, Bhutan, or any Buddhist holy land. You can travel, but don't expect that simply being there will change you in any way. Soul cleansing is a time-consuming and strenuous process. The daily practices of spiritual practitioners equate to soul cleansing. If you genuinely intend to undertake this task, it demands a lot of time, energy, and endurance of great suffering. You will also need to abandon many things you hold dear—like dignity and face. Furthermore, you must have a genuine teacher who takes responsibility for guiding you.

As humans, we have incredibly strong habits. The Diamond Sutra states that only a weapon like a vajra, or diamond, can shatter our robust and rigid habits. Therefore, only through long-term practice under the guidance of a true teacher can you possibly effect any changes. You cannot expect that a single trip to a holy land will eradicate all your clinging, nor can you expect to attain enlightenment simply by having a guru lay a hand on your head. (In history, only a very few great masters have had such experiences. But such occurrences are unlikely to happen to ordinary people.) If it were so simple, then the whole set of practice methods Buddhism has prepared to counteract our dichotomous habits would be a complete waste of time.

Of course, going to any new place, seeing new things, and meeting new people theoretically can bring about some improvements in mood. If you label this as soul cleansing, then I agree that visiting these places can cleanse the soul. But this type of cleansing can be achieved equally well by going to the Alps or Hangzhou.

Written by Ling Shan Hermit on January 17, 2020. First published on July 13, 2023.

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灵山居士：去圣地可以洗涤心灵吗？

[adelko55]

Bucket List Travel: The Top 50 Places In The World

According to a new survey, Bali is the top bucket list destination in the world.Getty

The website surveyed its 1.5 million-strong social audience in order to determine the best bucket list places around the world. According to Sarah Clayton-Lea, head of content with Big 7 Travel, this is the first time the site has assembled this list. "Bucket list travel was a trend that popped up again and again in previous surveys when asking our readers what sort of travel content they most enjoyed consuming," says Clayton-Lea. "So, our curiosity got the better of us and we wanted to know which destinations people are dreaming of for 2019/2020."

READ MORE: "Why You Should Skip Iceland And Go To These 9 Under-the-Radar Places"

The results of the world’s top 50 bucket list destinations include some of the most beautiful places on earth. "White sandy beaches are still a must-visit for many, with vibrant cities also making an appearance on a lot of people’s bucket lists," says Clayton-Lea. Countries with naturally beautiful scenery and world-famous landmarks came out on top: 22% of the destinations on the list have white sandy beaches, while 52% are iconic cities.

The famously colorful Bo Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa.Getty

In the study, Big 7 Travel found that people were also more likely to add a destination to their list if they had seen it on social media, and 33% of people research vacation destinations on their Instagram feed. "With over one-third of our readers saying they look to Instagram for travel inspiration, it makes sense that cities with colorful neighborhoods (such as Cape Town’s Bo Kaap) made the cut," says Clayton-Lea.

Bali topped the list of the 50 most popular bucket list destination on earth, but there were also some unexpected picks. "The top 10 list has a lot of the expected dream destinations, but there are a few surprises on the list: Paro Valley in Bhutan, for example, or Virunga National Park in the Congo," says Clayton-Lea. "I think this shows a great appetite for a need to get off the grid and can only assume that social media (and Netflix, in the case of Virunga!) is responsible for spreading the word of these amazing places."

An interesting factoid uncovered in the study: Most people have an average bucket list of just 11 places, with the hope of visiting seven of those locations during their lifetime. Read on for the top 50 bucket list destinations in the world and what Big 7 Travel had to say about each one.

Overlooking the jungle on one of Bali's highly Instagrammed swings.Getty

1. Bali, Indonesia: "You’ll find beaches, volcanoes, Komodo dragons and jungles sheltering elephants, orangutans and tigers. Basically, it’s paradise. It’s likely you’ve seen an image of Bali on social media at least once in the past seven days, as it’s such a popular bucket list destination for 2019."

2. New Orleans: "The lively city known for its street music, festive vibe and a melting pot of French, African and American cultures is well worth the trip. NOLA is a city packed with adventures at every turn and should be on everyone’s must-visit list."

3. Kerry, Ireland:" All the way west in Ireland is one of the country’s most scenic counties. Kerry’s mountains, lakes and coasts are postcard-perfect, and that’s before you add in Killarney National Park. The unique small towns such as Dingle add to its charm."

El Badi Palace in the Marrakesh medina.Getty

4. Marrakesh, Morocco: "This ancient walled city is home to mosques, palaces and lush gardens. It’s known as The Red City thanks to the color of the brick walls surrounding the city. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre."

5. Sydney: "Sydney is known around the world as one of the greatest and most iconic cities on the planet. Amazing things to do aren’t hard to find; the city has gorgeous beaches, great cafes and world-class entertainment on offer wherever you look."

6. The Maldives: "This tropical nation in the Indian Ocean is made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. It’s home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotel resorts, with white sandy beaches, underwater villas and restaurants and bright blue waters."

7. Paris, France: "One of the most iconic cities in the world, Paris tops many people’s bucket lists. You’ll see so many famous landmarks here: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame cathedral—the list is never-ending."

8. Cape Town, South Africa: "Cape Town is a dream location to visit: endless natural beauty and clifftop views, pastel pink neighborhoods and turquoise waters."

9. Dubai, U.A.E.: "The high-flying city of the U.A.E, Dubai is one of the most glamorous destinations you’ll ever visit, and is particularly popular with Big 7 Travel readers."

Sunset In Bora Bora, French Polynesia.Getty

10. Bora Bora, French Polynesia: "Bora Bora is Tahiti's most famous island. How do overwater bungalows and underwater adventures sound to you? To us, it’s everything we could want from a bucket list destination."

11. New York: "New York is one of America’s most exciting states. With charming upstate scenery, world-class cuisine and culture and more things to do than you could fit in one lifetime. The city’s five boroughs all have special features; it’s almost impossible to narrow it down"

12. Dubrovnik, Croatia: "As George Bernard Shaw once said, 'Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.' With its winding streets, cliffside beach bars and UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, it’s no wonder Dubrovnik is such a popular spot."

Carlton hill in Edinburgh, Scotland.Getty

13. Edinburgh, Scotland: "With the historic Edinburgh castle looming over the city, culture in spades and wonderfully friendly locals, this is one of the world’s greatest city breaks."

14. Rome, Italy: "Whether it’s your first time in Rome or your 50th, the best thing about this city is that you’ll always discover something new each time you stroll the scenic streets."

15. Paro Valley, Bhutan: Paro Valley is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes. Tucked between China and India, Bhutan is a mysterious country that prides itself on sustainable tourism. You’ll find Paro Taktsang here, a Himalayan Buddhist sacred site."

At the Jal Mahal Palace at sunset in Jaipur, India.Getty

16. Jaipur, India: "Jaipur is known as the ‘Pink City’ for its pale terracotta buildings. This was originally done to impress the visiting Prince Albert during his 1876 tour of India by order of the Maharaja (Sawai Ram Singh). Even today, it’s illegal to paint buildings any other color."

17. Waikato, New Zealand: "Waikato, a region in New Zealand’s North Island, is home to massive underground caves, lush rainforest and the buzzy city of Hamilton. But the area’s main attraction? A Middle-earth adventure on the film set of Lord of the Rings. Hobbiton Movie Set still has the original Hobbit holes from the making of the films."

18. Havana, Cuba: "Cuba’s capital is almost 500 years old and a riot of color. Brightly painted buildings and vintage cars make Havana a photogenic dream."

A view of Tokyo Skytree and the city skyline from the Tobu Levant Hotel.Photo courtesy of Jonathan Bloom

19. Tokyo, Japan: "Visiting Tokyo is like visiting the future—flashing neon lights, incredible technology—yet there’s still a rich sense of culture and history."

20. Antarctica: "Earth’s southernmost continent, Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Nowhere else can compare with the extreme remoteness of this snowy place. It’s not an easy trip to make, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the white wilderness, icy sea kayaking and whale sightings."

21. Vancouver, Canada: "Vancouver is surrounded by water yet close to the mountains and has world-class art, restaurants and heaps of other attractions to keep you entertained."

22. Los Angeles: "In a city with year-round sunshine, glam bars, beaches and hikes, there are endless incredible experiences to enjoy in Los Angeles. It’s no wonder there are almost 5O million ‘LA’ hashtags on Insta."

In Kruger National Park, South Africa.Getty

23. Kruger National Park, South Africa: "The Kruger National Park is a vast space in northeastern South Africa that is home to a huge array of wildlife. The park has safari experiences of all kinds, allowing you the opportunity to escape busy city living and get back to nature."

24. Santorini, Greece: "Santorini is actually a group of islands; Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni. Beaches with volcanic black or red sand and clear blue waters make this an ideal holiday spot. With its famous Santorini sunsets, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular bucket list destinations."

25. Moscow, Russia: "Russia’s cosmopolitan capital, Moscow is a beautiful destination to visit in any season. Colorful domes and bell chimes ring out from over 600 churches in the city, and the sense of history is immense. Culture lovers will be impressed with the museums and ballet."

26. Singapore: "Singapore is a small island city-state off southern Malaysia which punches way above its weight on a global level. It’s a modern city with colorful buildings, futuristic bridges and a cloud forest."

London's Westminster Bridge.Getty

27. London, England: "Pretty pink restaurants, futuristic space-age toilets and jungle skyline views are just some of our favorite things about London. And of course, all the classics: Big Ben, red phone boxes and world-class museums and galleries."

28. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: "Rio de Janeiro has always been one of the most iconic cities in the world with instantly recognizable landscapes and landmarks."

29. Petra, Jordan: "The ancient Nabatean city of Petra in southern Jordan is surrounded by beautiful red rocks and steep gorges. The world wonder is without a doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction."

30. Hong Kong: "Famous for its skylines and vibrant food scene, what most people don’t know is that 70% of Hong Kong is mountains and lush parks. Colorful playgrounds and sci-fi apartment blocks give HK an enviable edge."

Beach and sea waves shot from above in Barbados.Getty

31. Barbados: "Barbados is one of those magical holiday destinations that everybody dreams about visiting. Who wouldn’t put this on their bucket list? Nestled in the south of the Caribbean, it offers stunning beauty and wonderful local culture and is the perfect place to unwind."

32. Amsterdam: "Forget about cliched images of smoke shops and gaudy red lights. From floating flower markets to bohemian neighborhoods, this city has it all."

33. Santiago, Chile: "Santiago is a cosmopolitan city with the very best of Chilean culture; art galleries, design shops and handicraft markets, as well as lively Latino nightlife. You’ll stroll through historic neighborhoods with pretty winding streets and charming bars and cafes."

34. Cairo, Egypt: "Cairo is one of the most ancient cities in the world. Sitting on the Nile river with wonderful museums, vibrant culture and friendly locals, it makes for a great holiday."

Biking in Copenhagen.Getty

35. Copenhagen, Denmark: "Copenhagen’s rustic fishing ports, modern graffiti and winding red brick streets are just some of what makes it such a beautiful bucket list destination. It oozes Scandi cool from every corner, with top-notch food, stylish design and an always hip atmosphere."

36. Seoul, Korea: "Seoul is a vibrant metropolis where old-meets-new, with pop culture (K-Pop!) alongside Buddhist temples.

37. Laucala Island Resort, Fiji: "Laucala Island Resort is a private island in Fiji, in absolute paradise. It is one of three small islands off the northeast coast of Taveuni in Fiji. There are coconut trees, a sustainable farm and miles of beach, as well as coral reefs, postcard-perfect beaches and lush rainforest."

38. Providencia, Colombia: "The Colombian island of Providencia is the perfect combination of South America and the Caribbean. It’s best known for Crab Cay: an unspoiled little island where all there is to do is snorkel and lie on the beach."

Photographing Machu Picchu, Peru.Getty

39. Machu Picchu, Peru: "The best way to get here? Arrive at Machu Picchu in style on the 360° Train that will bring you through the Peruvian countryside to the lost city. The wide, panoramic windows are perfect for soaking up the view, plus they serve Pisco Sours on board."

40. Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo: "Virunga National Park is one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet and home to the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. It’s full of lush rainforest and has received even more attention since the documentary Virunga."

41. Lisbon, Portugal: "Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal, is postcard-perfect with its cobbled streets, pristine waters and local Atlantic beaches."

42. Hanoi, Vietnam: "Hanoi—the capital of Vietnam—is known for its rich history, busy street life and centuries of French, Asian and Chinese influences all blended into one bustling city. It’s a wonderful base from which to explore the North of Vietnam, including Halong Bay and Sapa, while also enjoying the comforts of a modern vibrant city."

A view of Honolulu's Magic Island And Waikiki Beach.Getty

43. Hawaii: "From the hustle and bustle of Oahu to the romance of Maui and off-the-beaten-path adventures on Lanai and Molokai. The Hawaiian Islands are pure paradise. Explore colorful canyons and waterfalls and eat your body weight in fresh poke."

44. Ibiza, Spain: "While you’ll have your fair share of techno club experiences, Ibiza is also one of the most beautiful Spanish islands, with a pretty Old Town and scenic beaches. Spend the day on the beach and the nights in legendary clubs."

45. Beijing, China: "Beijing is China’s political, economic, and cultural center, with six Unesco World Heritage Sites in this city alone. Discover Forbidden City, street food dishes of Peking duck and of course, the Great Wall of China."

46. Budapest, Hungary: "The capital city of Hungary, Budapest is a fairytale city in Eastern Europe. The city itself is separated by the 19th-century Chain Bridge that connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest—hence the name Budapest."

Photographing Vernazza in Cinque Terre.Getty

47. Cinque Terre, Italy: "Is there anything prettier than this area of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline? The five towns (Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare) are made for bucket lists."

48. Buenos Aires, Argentina: "Bookstores set in palatial theatres, tango dancing in the streets and brightly painted neighborhoods. These are just some of what makes Buenos Aires so beautiful."

49. Las Vegas: "With the bright lights, party atmosphere and endless things to see and do, it’s no wonder that Las Vegas has become a glittering global tourism destination. Take a chance in the casinos until the early hours or see world-class entertainment."

50: Matterhorn, Switzerland: "The Matterhorn is one of the world’s most iconic peaks—the pyramid-shaped mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world."

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• "Bucket List Travel: Top 10 Places In The World And Top 29 In The U.S."