Emei Shan is one of the 4 sacred mountains in China and symbolizes fire. Our guide had great respect for the Tibetan macaques, who do not appear that holy. By car you can drive along a beautiful winding road to an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. After a half an hour of walking […]
Agia Lavra – the birthplace of modern Greece
The monastery Agia Lavra (Agia Lavras) is located on a hill near the town of Kalavryta. The monastery built in 961, is one of the oldest monasteries in Greece and has a colorful history. Even though the monastery was burned down by the Turks in 1585, by the army of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt in […]
Drepung monastery near Lhasa in the Tibet
The Drepung monastery near Lhasa in the Tibet autonomous province in China, is one of the most important monasteries of the Gelug school, also known as Yellow Hat sect. One of the most important leaders of the Gelug school is the Dalai Lama. Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school never had political ambitions, nevertheless […]
Potala Palace in Lhasa
From the roof of our Hotel in Lhasa* we had already a splendid view of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. But then we saw the former winter palace of the Dalai Lama majestically in front of us. Before making the steep climb we observe the pilgrims at the Potala Kora, a circular route around the […]
Visiting the Panormitis Monastery
Symi is a Greek island of the Dodecanese in the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Southern Sporades. The island is only 5.6 miles away from the Turkish mainland. The Greek Orthodox Panormitis Monastery is situated in the south of the island was built in the early 18th centrury and is still inhabited by monks. Please […]
Santa Maria de Belem
Santa Maria de Belem, Lisboa – Lisbon – was barely destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755. Therefore some important places of interest have been preserved. One is the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos – Hieronymites Monastery – where the sarcophagus of Vasco da Gama is next to the tombs of some Portuguese poets and kings. The […]