For anyone with an urge to travel, Bhutan is one of those last great “untouched” destinations we all dream of visiting. A majestic kingdom of towering mountains, holy Buddhist retreats and smiling friendly locals. Flickr user sylhoo was lucky enough to visit Bhutan, capturing this serene shot of a mountain-top prayer shrine, criss-crossed with colorful prayer flags.
Have any great photos you’d like to submit for Gadling’s Photo of the Day? Submit your best shots here.
How far do you drive when you suspect that you’ve made a wrong turn? Do you base it on time or distance? In other words, are you more likely to say, “Hey, let’s just give it 10 more minutes,” or, “I think it’s just another two miles after this sign?” I tend to go by time. If it seems like driving for 20 minutes without seeing my exit is odd, I’ll assume that I must have missed it. I used to do the distance thing, but then I realized that I lack the proper understanding of spacial relations.
I’m reminded of this internal debate when I look at this photo by Flickr user kanelstrand from a road trip in Iceland. I’m a sucker for “road to nowhere” pictures. I’m also wistful for the pre-GPS days. I liked pulling over, unfolding a giant road map on the hood of my car and trying to figure out where the hell I was. Technology may make life easier and safer, but no one ever said that easy and safe were interesting.
Have a good shot from the last time you got lost? Submit your images to Gadling’s Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day.
With the slumping economy and decline in hotel occupancy rates, lots of hotels and resorts are offering deals that allow you stay for free after you pay for a certain number of nights. But not many resorts are throwing in a free “adventure cam” to use during your stay.
RockResorts, which operates properties in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and St. Lucia, is offering a “Three for Free” promotion that goes above and beyond the standard package deal. The minimum stay at each resort varies (ranging from 3-6 nights) and dates of validity vary through April depending on which of the 12 resorts you choose, but at each one you’ll receive: one free night’s stay, a $50 gift card or resort credit, and a free Adventure Eye Video Systems action/ helmet camcorder to make a movie off all the fun you have during your stay.
As an added bonus, those who actually use the camera to record themselves out and about on the property can enter their movie into a contest to win free Epic Passes for the 2010-2011 season. The passes allow unlimited skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado.
To take advantage of the promotion, rooms must be booked by January 31.
[via La Times]
Skiing couples looking to get married on a mountain should look into Keystone Resort in Colorado. Couples who host a wedding at the resort between November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2010 will receive complimentary passes for the 2010-2011 ski season.
In addition to months of free skiing, the Keystone Wedding Pass Promotion includes a free one-night resort stay with champagne and strawberries, the services of a dedicated wedding coordinator, discounted room rates for guests, and a special cake on the couple’s one year anniversary. There are several different packages to choose from. All include rental of chairs, tables, linens and serving ware, rehearsal space, and shuttle service around the resort for guests.
Multi-course dinners with open bar range from $75 to $150 per guest and there are all several venues available. Venues hold anywhere from 80 to 350 guests and include a majestic lodge overlooking the mountains or an intimate gourmet restaurant reached by gondola.
The resort opens for the season on November 6 and offers trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Apparently, nudity is big in Germany. The German Nudist Association organizes outings for naturalists to nude beaches and campgrounds and now, there’s even a special path for naked hikers. Yeah, I said naked hikers.
The 11-mile long trail will run from Dankerode to the Wippertal dam and officially opens in May. The trail will be marked with signs warning hikers that nudists are in the area. “If you don’t want to see people with nothing on then you should refrain from moving on!” one says. While Germans anxious to hike au naturel have been trying out the unfinished trail, not everyone is excited to encounter naked hikers. The nearby town of Appenzell has banned nude hikers – anyone caught hiking in the buff, an act town officials have called “shameless behavior”, faces fines of up to £120.
I can kind of see the appeal of nude beaches – I’m no fan of tan lines – but nude hiking makes no sense to me. Poison oak and mosquito bites in uncomfortable places and sore, um, jiggly bits? No thanks. But I’m glad that those with a passion for hiking in their birthday suits now have a place to go. And I’ll echo the sentiments of the Deputy Director at the German National Tourist Office: “To the locals I would say: hike and let hike. To the nude hikers, I would say: Mind the brambles and high thistles.” Ouch!
[via Daily Mail]