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Island-Hopping the South Pacific

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Island-Hopping the South Pacific: New Caledonia, Mystery Island, and Dravuni Island The South Pacific has always held a certain magic for me — a mix of wild beauty, rich cultures, and that irresistible laid-back island vibe. On a recent trip, I had the chance to experience three incredible destinations: New Caledonia, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, and Dravuni Island in Fiji. Each place offered something unforgettable, from cultural discoveries to lazy days in crystal-clear waters. Mystery Island, Vanuatu Nouméa, New Caledonia: A Touch of France in the Pacific My journey began in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, where French influence blends seamlessly with Melanesian heritage. Of course, the waters were every shade of blue I had dreamed about — perfect for snorkeling and swimming. But beyond the beaches, Nouméa surprised me with its culture and history. I visited Coconut Palm Square , home to the Celeste Fountain , built in 1892 — a lovely, shaded place that felt like a little E...
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The Banaue Rice Terraces: A Living Cultural Landscape

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My interest in exploring the northern part of the Philippines started from looking at a piece of art at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, California.   Among the display of ceramics and pottery engraved with gold and other decorative stuff,  a wooden carving of a male figure squatting on a platform with the lower arms on top of each other, resting upon his knees, caught my eye.  According to the docent, the wooden sculpture was called "Bului" which literally means "granary guardian" in the "Ifugao" tribe dialect. The carved wooden sculpture was set on a platform on top of another platform, a mortar.   Our docent explained the significance of the wooden mortar (which was used with the pestle, to separate the husk from the rice, sort of rice mill) and linked the story to the Rice Terraces in the Cordillera Mountains of the Philippines built 2000 years ago by the “Ifugao” tribe. So two years and three hundred kilometers north of Manila later, we explo...
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Qatar

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  Discovering Qatar: A Blend of Old and New When I stepped out of the airport in Doha, I thought I knew what to expect — a city similar to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. In some ways, that was true. The skyline, partially shrouded in fog, felt familiar. But as I traveled from the airport to my hotel, I realized Qatar had its own distinct character. The landscape was sparse, just as I had imagined — few trees, mostly artificial palm trees lining the boulevard. Yet, as we passed a palace, I was struck by the sight of guardsmen on horseback riding around the palace. (I found out later that the palace was not the royal residence but a meeting place) That moment felt like stepping into another place and time — a reminder that I was truly in a foreign land. My hotel was in the old town, conveniently close to several museums. From my room, I could see the National Museum of Qatar, a stunning building with its desert rose-inspired design. Visiting the museum, along with the Museum of Islamic Art...
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