This week, I wander through Eco Park on the east side of Kolkata, the largest urban park in all of India. The highlight is “Seven Wonders,” a quirky park-within-a-park that features scaled recreations of the pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, Easter Island, and more. I share what impressed me, what didn’t, and whether it’s worth your time. Also, many people ask me for a photo, and we have a short discussion about boundaries and culture.

Along the way, we also get into practical food tips for surviving spicy Indian cuisine, debate the health reality of Chola Bhatura, and confront the shocking truth that ketchup is absolutely not a sauce. Around this time, India started to really open up for me, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Show Notes

• 🏞️ Eco Park on Wiki – a good breakdown
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of immersive storytelling)
• 💌 FOR SUPPORTERS: 35 Exclusive Eco Park photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Member-only episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, & exclusive videos: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow!)
• 📚 READ FOR FREE: A new edition of my Tropical Sci-Fi novel The Truth Beyond the Sky is now being released to RoyalRoad every Monday and Friday, free! Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

My first days in India were… eventful. From food poisoning to waking up to a dead MacBook, things started off rocky. But my couchsurfing hosts made it unforgettable—such incredible people (and food!). I got my shoes repaired on the street, wandered Kolkata’s vibrant streets, and anxiously waited to see if the local tech wizard could bring my expired-warranty MacBook back to life. Tune in to see how the India saga begins!

Show Notes

• 🛂 Indian Government eVisa Website – where I got my visa
• 🏠 Couchsurfing.com – for my first few weeks of accommodation
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of immersive storytelling)
• 💌 FOR SUPPORTERS: Exclusive India photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Member-only episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, & exclusive videos: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow!)
• 📚 READ FOR FREE: A new edition of my Tropical Sci-Fi novel The Truth Beyond the Sky is now being released to RoyalRoad every Monday and Friday, free! Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

This week: we wrap up my Nepal adventure with a visit to the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (The Golden Temple) in Patan, Kathmandu. Along the way, we explore the six realms, admire stunning tapestries, and enter the wrong temple at the wrong time. With early January temperatures below freezing, I experience life in a traditional house with no heating—such fun! Join me for a hilarious farewell to this magnificent country.

Show Notes

• 🎥 TikTok Short: Golden Temple Tour (only on TikTok) 🛕
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Sound Healing with Tibetan Singing Bowls 🥣
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Incredible tapestries & A Lesson About the Bhairab (or Bhairav) 👹
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of immersive storytelling)
• 💌 FOR SUPPORTERS: 40 Golden Temple and Kathmandu photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Member-only episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, & exclusive videos: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow!)
• 📚 READ FOR FREE: A new edition of my Tropical Sci-Fi novel The Truth Beyond the Sky is now being released to RoyalRoad every Monday and Friday, free! Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

We wrap up my time in Sauraha and Pokhara, Nepal, exploring the far side of the elephant center suspension bridge and stumbling on some unforgettable souvenirs and photogenic moments. Then, M and I part ways, and I catch a wild bus ride back to Pokhara — just in time for an unusual Christmas and an epic New Year’s Eve.

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: Souvenir Shopping & Suspension Bridge in Sauraha Village (plus the infamous “cow with a boob in the front and the back” 😆 — one of my favorite looping shorts I’ve ever made)
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Badminton in the street & other funny Nepal moments
• 🎥 YouTube Short: A Taste of New Year's Eve in Pokhara, Nepal! 🎆
• 🎥 YouTube Short: The bus ride back to Pokhara — complete with a dramatic burn pile for my receipts 😆
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of immersive storytelling)
• 💌 FOR SUPPORTERS: 22 Final Sauraha and Pokhara photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Member-only episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, & exclusive videos: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow!)
• 📚 READ FOR FREE: A new edition of my Tropical Sci-Fi novel The Truth Beyond the Sky (now with over 450 ratings on Amazon) is being released to RoyalRoad, with new chapters every Monday and Friday, free! Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

Today, we venture deep into the wilds of Chitwan National Park, home to one-horned rhinoceros, crocodiles, tigers, and countless other species. From sunrise boat rides to jungle walks, this safari was pure magic, and I also share a few must-know travel tips before you plan your own trip to southern Nepal. 🌿

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: Our Journey to Chitwan (w/ pakora snacks & the tiniest coffee ever)
• 🎥 TikTok Short: 7AM trip down the Dungre River with Ganesh, the best guide
• 🎥 TikTok Short: The TENSE Wild Rhino Encounter I mention (full 2-minute version on TikTok)
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Magical moments with Mugger Crocodiles
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Final Safari Video featuring jungle fungi & my Chitwan video review
• 🍄 Fun Fact: I actually did correctly identify the mushroom! It was a golden trumpet mushroom. It looked like this!
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of immersive storytelling)
• 💌 FOR SUPPORTERS: 34 Lovely Chitwan Safari photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Member-only episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, & exclusive videos: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow!)
• 📚 READ FOR FREE: My Hawaii travel memoir Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise: Arrival — now free (for a limited time) on Kindle Unlimited! Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

Today, we venture across Phewa Lake and up the hill to the Shanti Stupa, one of only two peace pagodas in Nepal. We also talk about the fascinating backstory and the Japanese sangha that was behind building it!

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: A Funny Summary Video of this Magical Day to the Stupa
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of pure storytelling)
• If you’re curious about my upcoming tropical Sci-Fi novel, The Kaleidoscopic Universe, follow for updates on my website.
• Also you can start reading the new edition of The Truth Beyond the Sky, new chapters posted to RoyalRoad, for FREE, every Monday →
• FOR SUPPORTERS: 20 Gorgeous Peace Pagoda photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Visit my Patreon for member-only episodes, plus exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow.)
• 📚 READ MY BOOK FOR FREE: My Hawaii travel memoir Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise: Arrival is now free (for a limited time) on Kindle Unlimited → Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

Today we venture into Chamero Gufa, the famous Bat Cave of Pokhara! Discovered in the 1980s, this wild underground cavern is home to thousands of Horseshoe Bats! 🦇 Along the way, I also stumble into the wrong gorge—an accident that turned into a blessing when I was treated to a live sarangi performance nearby. We wrap up with a walk across a breathtaking gorge and a stop at my favorite restaurant in Pokhara.

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: Greetings from the Bat Cave (a very silly video of me)
• 🎥 YouTube Short: My Accidental Visit to the Seti River Gorge (& the tiny temple)
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Live Performance of a Sarangi Player
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of pure storytelling)
• FOR SUPPORTERS: 30 New, Gorgeous Pokhara photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: Visit my Patreon for member-only episodes, plus exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow.)
• 📚 READ MY BOOK FOR FREE: My Hawaii travel memoir Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise: Arrival is now free (for a limited time) on Kindle Unlimited → Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →
  

On International Mountain Day, I joined the 7th annual mountain festival in Pokhara, Nepal — a lively celebration of mountains, culture, and adventure. From geology exhibits to festival games, it’s a must-see if you’re visiting Pokhara in December. Plus, my review of Annapurna Bhanchha, a great small diner in Pokhara.

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: Geology Exhibits & More at the Mountain Festival
• 🎥 YouTube Short: I almost hit the bullseye at the Mountain Festival
• 🎧 My Hawaii audiobook on YouTube, now free! (10+ hours of pure entertainment)
• FOR SUPPORTERS: 30 Gorgeous Pokhara photos drop Wednesday on my Patreon.
• 📸 PATREON PERKS: You can follow my Patreon for member-only episodes, plus exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe (It’s free to follow.)
• 📚 READ MY BOOK FOR FREE: My Hawaii travel memoir Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise: Arrival is now free (for a limited time) on Kindle Unlimited → Start reading for free here →
• 🎧 SUBSCRIBE: Follow WANDEROUS for free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube & more so you never miss an adventure! All links here →