Wow! In the past week I’ve hopped three countries, three continents, and four religions. I started in the ancient Greek city of Delphi, wandering temples built to Athena and Apollo. Next, I made my way to Meteora, where I explored monasteries built across the dramatic clifftops of mountainous Central Greece. Leaving Europe, I hopped over to Bahrain, where I spent twenty-two exhilarating hours covering as much of the island nation as I could, the highlight being the Grand Mosque, where I feel I began to understand Islam for the first time.
And finally, finally, I touched down in beautiful Bangkok, where I’ve felt a depth of contentment that has evaded me for far too long. The thought of spending the next three months in Southeast Asia is pure bliss! And now, onto a very geographically diverse Photo of the Week…
Photo A
All roads lead to Meteora… or maybe not
Photo B
Marveling at Meteora’s clifftop monasteries
Photo C
Learning about Islam at Bahrain’s Grand Mosque
Photo D
Happy to be back in Thailand, home sweet home way from home!
Which photo is your favorite?
B is my favorite, Meteora looks like a spectacular place! I’m really happy for you you’re back in Thailand. I felt the same way after touching down in Bangkok last March,nearly four years after my last visit. Missing South East Asia is a permanent state of mind for meβ¦Can’t wait to read your stories!
I know how you feel. There is a forever Southeast Asia shaped hole in my heart. Couldn’t be happier to be back!
B is amazing! Wow!
It was unreal! Can’t wait to post more…
Mine favorite is also photo B. Meteora is so beautiful. Can’t wait your post about it to relieve my experience from 10 years ago π
Ah, must have been beautiful! I’m sure you had it even more to yourself than I did…
Photo B! Meteora looks unreal!
It was unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Without question!
Wow, you have been just a bit around! I can’t imagine 3 countries and religions more different the one to another. Choosing a pic is hard, cause they’re all beautiful, although I might go with the Meteora temple, also cause it’s so high on my bucket list! π
Can you believe I had never heard of it before this trip? Can’t believe more people don’t make it there… well okay, considering the distance from Athens I guess I can π
That monastery is incredible. Love it.
And can you believe there are six of them! Amazing π
I like B, the monastery on top of the rock is amazing. Would love to hear about your beginning to understand Islam. Also, the line, “In the past week Iβve hopped three countries, three continents” sounds a little braggy. You are making the rest of feel like stick in the muds.
Mr. Baackes with the zing! I sure feel like a stick in the mud as well. Enjoy Thailand as you always do, Alex!
Wish you were here, Lizzy!
Ha! What about you, Mr. State Hopper… you’ve probably covered six on an average week by Wednesday!
Wow, you’ve had an incredible few weeks!! I’m going to go with photo B this time…It just caught my eye. But I did discover your blog when I was traveling through Southeast Asia last year. And I’m just ridiculously excited for you to be back in this part of the world π So maybe I have to go with D! Welcome back Alex!!
Thanks girl! Couldn’t be more pleased to be here. Feels like home π
B!! I love when architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape. & that feta pot reminds me of my own tea tin pots at home!
Not to mention that photo finally gave me a shot at using my zoom lens — win!
Def photo B – wow that looks incredible!
Obviously we have a clear winner this week! Thanks for voting Erin!
My goodness, I don’t know how you always out-do yourself on these around the world expeditions.
Meteora looks mind-blowing, wowow. B!!
Well, all I can say is I’m very competitive π Ha. Thanks Kristen!
Ahhh D, for the sheer unadulterated sentimentality of it:)
So happy to hear you’re back in SEASIA! I can’t wait to hear all about your time in Greece. My favorite is B – the monastaries look beautiful.
I’m so happy too π And I already look forward to reliving my time in Greece right here!
Wow, that cliff top monastery is absolutely stunning! I would love to see it with my own eyes!
Enjoy your time back in Thailand!
Thank you Emily — I’m truly going to cherish this time!
I love B, especially the feta can! Too cute.
How long are you going to be in south east asia? Sorry if I’ve missed it, but have you posted your upcoming travel plans? I love following along! π
(p.s. my friend & I bought tickets to Honolulu for November – making that Hawaii trip happen!)
Well, I haven’t really posted an update past this moment… because I don’t really have very solid plans! I have three months in Southeast Asia before returning home for the holidays and not sure after that. I’m juggling two different ideas for early 2015 but I haven’t quite confirmed which path I’ll take! So excited for YOU to be going to Hawaii in November! So psyched — you’re going to love it!
Such a difficult decision – I love all the pictures above! But I’m going to go with D: Something about it just seems so right! π I hope you’ll have the best time yet in Thailand!
It’s impossible for me to have a bad time in Thailand! Many thanks for the well wishes, Melanie!
Okay, the monastery is amazing, but I’m totally enchanted by the arrangement you made for Photo C, especially the way the two photos meld together to show the inside and outside of the mosque as one… that’s my vote! Nice job π
Thanks Sara! It was a beautiful structure — hard to take a bad photo! And I had the place all to myself.
B for BEAUTIFUL!
… says the first grade teacher π
B gets the nod this week!
Stunning location!
You’d love it Chris, add it to the list!
Nothing better than an overflowing, overstuffed list! π
Almost impossible to decide- but B it is!
Can’t remember the last time there was such a clear winner π I don’t blame you all!
I am going for B. That monastery looks stunning.
Thanks for voting Steve!
Great to see that Thai flag! Where are you planning on going within these next three months?
It always warms my heart to see! I’m doing a long stint on Koh Tao catching up on work and then heading back to Bangkok and possibly up north for Yi Peng. It’s all still up in the air! Going to try to hit at least one new destination…
I think I have to pick the thailand photo – as a part of my heart is there with my daughter as she is in Koh Tao1
My heart is there too <3
Amazing Photos Alex!!! Very Jealous.
Wish you had been there with me, Meesh! Someday π
Love all your photos, but B is my favorite!
Thanks Stef! Can’t wait to share the rest of the set…
Ooh, again, all your photos are awesome, but I think A is my favorite. I can’t believe after all the travelling you’ve done this summer that you’re going to stay in the same place for three months! I can’t wait for more stories.
Ha, it is SO necessary after all that traveling. Nearly killed me! I’m definitely up for a nice long stint of sitting still π
I’ve also got to go with B. What a fantastic view it must be from up there. I think that would be such a serene and lovely place to be a monk π
Not sure the nun life is for me, but if I had to choose a place to do it, this would be the spot!
Definitely B this week. Can’t wait to read about your time in Greece!
Ah, I can’t wait to share! But, Malta and Belgium first π
Well B I guess… I wanted to be different but this appears everyone has good taste! Love them all though, as usual. So happy you’re back in Thailand. Enjoy some mango sticky rice for me!
Mmmm… that I can handle π Think that might be my treat for the day later! π
Photo D – as I am researching travel blog entries about Thailand
Well you should find a couple hundred to read here π Happy planning!