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The only sacred island in Sri Lanka where Buddhist monks and Hindu priests share ancient ground – locals call it the Island of Reconciliation

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I stepped off the weathered ferry at Kurikadduwan jetty and onto Nagadeepa, a 4.22 square kilometer island where something impossible happens every single day. Tamil Hindu families knelt beside Sinhalese Buddhist monks, lighting oil lamps in synchronized devotion at the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya. After documenting sacred sites across 150 countries, I’d never witnessed interfaith worship … Lire plus

The only Thai festival where 10,000 Buddhist sky lanterns create merit-making magic for $25

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I stood in Chiang Mai’s Tha Phae Gate square as darkness fell on November 5th, watching 10,000 khom loi rise simultaneously into the northern Thai sky. This wasn’t just another light show—this was Yi Peng, the only Buddhist lantern festival where ancient Lanna merit-making ceremonies transform an entire city into a celestial cathedral. While Burning … Lire plus

I made my grandmother’s butternut squash gratin every week for 30 days (here’s what happened)

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Last winter, I stumbled upon my grandmother’s handwritten recipe book tucked away in her kitchen cabinet. Among the faded pages filled with French family secrets, one dish caught my eye: her famous butternut squash gratin. As someone who’d been experimenting with traditional French cooking techniques, I decided to make it every week for a month. … Lire plus

Forget the French Riviera – this tiny Corsican village has 1,000-foot pink granite cliffs that turn crimson at sunset + 70% fewer crowds

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I spent fifteen years photographing Europe’s coastlines before a wrong turn on Corsica’s D81 changed everything. While thousands queue for €40 parking spots along Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, I discovered 300-meter pink granite towers rising from turquoise Mediterranean waters where parking costs €10 and crowds disappear after 4pm. The Calanques de Piana deliver what the … Lire plus

I tried this 3-ingredient French apple dessert (it’s easier than pie)

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Picture this: golden apples bubbling in butter, their sweet aroma filling your kitchen on a crisp autumn evening. This simple French dessert has captured hearts worldwide—and for good reason. Pommes rôties fondantes transforms ordinary apples into caramelized perfection using just three ingredients, making it the ultimate comfort food that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. … Lire plus

I stopped using Windows 11 on my 8-year-old laptop (and saved $900)

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Staring at that Windows 11 incompatibility message on your perfectly good computer can feel like a punch to the gut. But before you resign yourself to an expensive upgrade or consider tossing your trusty machine, take a breath. Your computer isn’t obsolete—you just need to explore some smart alternatives that can keep you productive without … Lire plus

I tried both carbonara recipes for 30 days (one is easier than you think)

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Picture yourself twirling a fork through a perfect plate of carbonara, the creamy sauce coating each strand of pasta. But wait—should that sauce be creamy at all? The great carbonara debate has divided food lovers across continents, with Italians defending their traditional recipe while French cooks embrace a richer variation. Understanding this culinary divide might … Lire plus

The only Pacific lagoon where 445 emerald islands hide stingless jellyfish lakes – locals call it the forgotten seventh wonder

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I still remember the moment I slipped into the warm water of Jellyfish Lake, surrounded by thousands of golden jellyfish pulsing gently around me—completely harmless, impossibly beautiful. That afternoon in Palau’s Rock Islands changed everything I thought I knew about tropical paradises. While everyone chases overwater bungalows in the Maldives, 445 uninhabited limestone islands rise … Lire plus

The only Bermuda fort island where 1612 English stone walls repelled Spanish cannons – locals call it the forgotten sentinel

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I stood on the crumbling limestone ramparts of Castle Island as waves crashed against rocks where Spanish cannons once aimed at English gunners. The fortress walls, built in 1612, held a secret that changed how I understood early American colonial history. This wasn’t just another Caribbean fort—it was the oldest surviving English stone fortification in … Lire plus