Krisha

Although you don’t need a passport to get there, a trip to Sedona, Ariz., may feel like a foreign experience. There aren’t many places in the country that claim to be built on a vortex – an area where electromagnetic lines intersect to enhance linear energy flow. Although Sedona is enveloped by them, the city has four main vortex sites, which are havens for spiritual meditation and finding balance – Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon.
The native American population, including members of the Hopi, Navajo and Yavapai tribes, consider Sedona sacred ground and recognized the power and energy of the vortexes long before Page Bryant, a local medium, named them in the 1980s. Once detected, a vortex is said to have an upward flow which boosts the expansion of one’s spiritual energy or an inward flow which enhances spiritual introspection. It is said that the life within a vortex is amplified; everything that grows in its radius is more beautiful and robust.
People from worlds away come to sit among the giant red rocks that look like they’re on fire during the sunset. The landscape feels magical with nothing but rust colored land and towering mountains that look like they’ve been built out of sand. Walt Disney was so taken by the site line in Sedona as he sat on a ledge overlooking Thunder Mountain that it inspired him to design his popular train-like roller coaster. So much energy, creativity and spiritual balance is centered here that even the local government doesn’t want development to compete with the perfection of nature’s surroundings. Strict ordinances and style books forbid retail and restaurants from building higher than two stories or deviating from the acceptable earth-tone colors for signs or paint.
If you’re not in Sedona to find spiritual fulfillment, it is still a beautiful place to replenish your energy, even if you don’t believe in sitting in energy fields.

Take a Pink Jeep Tour

The Pink Jeeps pop out against the red mountainside. This off-road adventure tour has thrilled visitors for more than 50 years taking up to seven passengers in a souped-up Jeep up and down the steep terrain. Definitely not designed for babies (although they do provide car seats for infants, I wouldn’t recommend it) or anyone with health issues, we opted for the Broken Arrow tour which took us in the heart of Sedona’s outback. During a thrilling ride of bumping and bouncing over steep hillsides into canyons, we learned the history of this great land from our knowledgeable adventure guide who managed to get us back in one piece despite driving down a dried out waterfall as a shortcut. Tamer, scenic options are available – pinkjeeptourssedona.com

Get a Spa Treatment

This city is a magnet for those who study the art of mindfulness and massage therapy. The resort spas are over-the-top exquisite – The Enchantment Resort being the most decadent and aesthetically pleasing. Boutique spas downtown, however, can restore and relax just as nicely. We chose Sedona’s New Day Spa which offered some desert nature body treatments with local flair such as the Turquoise Sage Mountain Arnica or Cedarwood Citrus Wild Chaparral. A traditional sweat lodge steam experience is also on the spa list. Come early to dunk yourself in the outdoor hot tub and sit around the table fire while you sip healing stone infused water and learn about your spirit animal.

Have a Fabulous Meal

If all this New Age living isn’t your cup of tea, try a modern dinner. Honestly, the restaurants in Sedona are top-notch – up there with what I know to be the best of the best. The experience at L’Auberge might most accurately be described as ethereal. In dining on the banks of Oak Creek, listening to water rushing by, you might feel like you’re in your very own Thomas Kincaid painting. The fairytale backdrop sets the scene for the rustic dishes, beautifully presented and garnished with elements of nature for dramatic effect (think moss and tiny twigs surrounding a smoky mushroom and onion soup bowl). The spectacular views from Che Ah Chi restaurant at Enchantment Resort go unmatched. The name comes from what Apaches call Boynton Canyon which is said to have prehistoric ruins, sacred spaces and healing waters. Get there a few hours before dark and grab a drink on the expansive patio. When the sun hits the rocks, the deep reds, oranges and yellows glow around you like a warm fire and you instantly feel at peace. That’s Sedona – energetic, breathtaking, spiritual – a place that’s good for your mind, body and soul.

Originally published in NRVMagazine

If you’re a traveler, you know the feeling of eventually wanting to land somewhere different. Nothing gets old about the beauty of the Caribbean, the adventures of Central America, or the history and delicious food of Europe. But sometimes you just want to travel somewhere new. And that somewhere is the continent of Asia.

Traveling to the other side of the world can be daunting; it’s hard to pick a destination. After all, Asia is the biggest continent in the world. Each country is so different and carries unique traditions and cultures that have been cultivated over thousands of years. But there is one place that retains the deep-seeded Asian history while still inventing itself as a modern metropolis. So if you’d like to get a taste of Asian flavor but don’t want to feel like a fish out of water, visit a corner of the continent that could easily be called its stepping stone: Hong Kong.

Packed with people, Hong Kong is on the southeast tip of China and is one of the world’s most densely populated places. The people, who represent diverse nationalities, are on the move and create the hustle of an authentic experience of what most Asian cities feel like. Built around Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong (which means ‘fragrant harbor’ in Cantonese) is characterized for its impressive skyline which seems to be ever-changing with the rapid construction of tall office buildings and hotels. Visitors speculate that as the population increases, Hong Kong responds by cutting land from the mountains and dumping it in the sea to create more space. Locals joke that you might own waterfront property one year but by the next, you’ll have a building blocking your view.

Despite the morphing landscape, it is relatively easy to get around in Hong Kong. The territory was a British colony until 1997 when it was handed back over to the Chinese. Still, most of the locals speak English with a high level of proficiency from the business professionals. Striking up friendships with the residents isn’t hard if you have the time. But if you’re on a tight schedule in Hong Kong, I recommend hitting three highlights.

First, find the Big Buddha. Located on Lantua Island near the airport, the Tian Tan Buddha sits on a platform shaped like a lotus flower and towers at more than 112 feet high. It is the largest outdoor sitting Buddha in the world. The statue is named Tian Tan because its base is a model of the Altar of Heaven Mountain of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Visitors have to take the hike up 268 steep steps to reach the Buddha, and it is handicapped accessible by car. The area surrounding the Buddha is serene, quiet and magnificent. But if you visit in late April or May, prepare for a big party and hoards of people who make the pilgrimage in honor of Buddha’s birthday.

A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without hitting one of the famous markets. There is a goldfish market, a ladies market, a men’s market, a night market, a flower market and a jade market just to name a few. Markets are a great way to meet locals, get great bargains on clothes, name-brand knock offs and immerse yourself in the authentic, Hong Kong experience. By far, the most interesting market is the Hong Kong bird market. Adjacent to the flower market on Yuen Po Street, the bird market is more than just a bazaar for any breed of parakeet or wooden, handmade cage. The bird market is the gathering place for old men who sit together and tell stories and for housekeepers who meet on their time off to gossip. Among the birds, chirping of all kinds comes from the locals as tall tales and personal scandals are exchanged in the open air for anyone to hear.

Finally, don’t forget to relax a little by taking a ferry to the Kowloon side of the harbor that offers shopping, hotels and museums. The ferry from Central – what residents call the main Hong Kong Island – takes 10 minutes and offers a calming, short respite from the chaotic foot traffic along the financial district. At less than a dollar a ticket, hop on as the sun sets at dusk and float away from all the chaos and energy of the big city. Take a deep breath and gaze at the glowing Hong Kong skyline. The next time you visit Asia, it won’t look the same.

Krisha Chachra serves on the Town Council of Blacksburg and is a regular columnist and author. She has traveled to over 40 countries in 6 continents and reported and hosted shows for public radio and television. Her columns are taken from her journals and personal insights from traveling nationally and internationally throughout her life. Her book about returning to Blacksburg, Homecoming Journals, may be found online or in local bookstores.

Originally published in NRVMagazine

Maybe the Middle East isn’t the first place you’d think of visiting when booking your next vacation. Travel to this area may not receive the best endorsement, but the fact is, the world can be a precarious place no matter where you go. Although I advocate safety, I also am overcome by the richness gained through exploration. In that vein, I recommend putting Istanbul, Turkey, on your bucket list if you’re the type of traveler who desires a “wow” factor.

This city has it all ~ more than 2,000 years old with a perfect blend of ancient and modern architecture, Eastern and Western culture. It has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, although it is not the capital of Turkey. You must stop into one of the many Turkish bath houses or Hamams. Get the authentic experience of the scrub down, massage and warming and cooling rooms where you relax in luxurious octagonal pools or treat your skin to a fresh steam.

Also make sure you visit the Grand Bazaar where you can bargain and buy a wooden backgammon board with mother-of-pearl inlay or a hand-woven carpet that might resemble something from the movies that flies and takes you on a magical ride! The Spice Market is one of the most exotic sights. Filled with hundreds of stalls selling fruits, powders, oils, nuts and sweets, the aroma is heavy with a mouth-watering effect. Every conceivable spice is sold, and the deep colors of saffron, nutmeg, cinnamon and mint are magnificent.

In terms of landmarks and historic sites, Istanbul is home of the Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races during Constantinople’s (the name Istanbul was known by during the Ottoman Empire) heyday and home to more than 3,000 mosques, including the famed Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. A trip to see the latter two sites is a must and will take your breath away. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century, the Hagia Sophia is one of the world’s only basilicas that has been both a church and mosque. The golden mosaics depicting stories of emperors and saints are mesmerizing, and the huge dome lined with large, coin-shaped symbols in Arabic make this structure one of the architectural marvels of the world.

The Blue Mosque across from Hagia Sophia is equally as impressive. Although not required, females may choose to cover their heads out of respect when entering this jaw-dropping feat of classical Ottoman architecture. Built with more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles, the structure is the only mosque flanked by six minarets. Our tour guide told us that Sultan Ahmed I, who ordered the mosque to be built from 1609 to 1616, asked the architect to build the minarets out of gold. The word “gold” and “six” sound similar; the architect misunderstood and built six minarets.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the only city in the world that spans Europe and Asia. Visiting Istanbul, therefore, is an elegant opportunity to visit two continents in one trip. My husband and I did just that. On one of our evening walks around the city, we passed a restaurant with a very persuasive caller beckoning tourists inside. The man was extremely friendly, a common trait in Istanbul we learned, and could greet people in at least a dozen languages. We were impressed with his confidence, comedy, tenacity and hustle as he made his 5-second pitch to curious couples strolling by.

The restaurant was Vuslat Ocakbasi and his name was Selcuk. As we sat among ornate, decorated pillows and dipped oversized inflated bread in homemade hummus served with a block of feta cheese and olives, we learned that Selcuk studied at Harvard and returned home to help his country and the family business. He wanted to show us true hospitality, so he invited us home to meet his family who lived on the Asian side of the city.

So, the next day we found ourselves taking a taxi, a train, then a ferry across the mighty Bosporus Strait to the other continent. Finally, a car pulled around and Selcuk yelled from the window. He drove us to his house for a traditional Turkish breakfast. When we saw the spread, we couldn’t believe our eyes. There were at least 14 made-from-scratch dishes set out on copper plates and platters served with fragrant tea sweetened with honey and cherries.

As we sat to begin our Turkish feast with the family, my hesitation to make the transcontinental trek to meet these strangers melted away. Selcuk’s dad raised his delicate teacup, toasted to new friends and turned to us: “Please tell your friends in America about the hospitality you experienced here in Turkey.” And as we chatted about the Middle East, I was reminded that the warmth of the meal and the sincerity of those who made it was the reason traveling brings people together all over the world.

Krisha Chachra is Vice Mayor of the Town of Blacksburg and a regular columnist and author who has traveled to over 40 countries in 6 continents and reported and hosted shows for public radio and television. Her columns are taken from her journals and personal insights from traveling nationally and internationally throughout her life. Her book about returning to Blacksburg, Homecoming Journals, may be found online or in local bookstores.

Originally published in NRV Magazine