Grand Canyon - Day 2

Today, we took a helicopter ride to the North Rim of the canyon. It was indescribable so we are not going to describe it (see pictures). Yesterday, we finished the Rim Trail and began the Hermits Rest Trail. Today, we began where we left off and walked ALMOST to the end of Hermits Trail (about five hours, including lunch and bench break and "reflection time"). We decided we could not make the last 1.1 mile to Hermit's Rest and took a shuttle there. But we are actually very proud that we made it as far as we did. We risked life and limb (see terrified facial expressions) -- we did not realize we would be walking a narrow path three feet from the ledge! Fasiha's plan of action was to keep her eyes at her feet and refused to look to the ledge and Fariha's was to stop every few feet to snap a picture of a tree. At a certain point, we got more comfortable with the narrow ledges and took some risks while taking pictures. We made it to Pima Point (victory!) and then took a scenic drive down Desert View Drive. We did not really plan which point we would stop at and randomly went to two -- which ended up being amazing! We stopped at Tusayan Ruin and saw some ruins of a village inhabited by Native Americans from over 800 years ago. We then drove to Lipan Point when the sun was setting and it was incredible. Yesterday we went to Hopi Point and everyone kept saying that was the best place to take pictures during sunset -- but this tops it! We ended the day with the famous IMAX video of GC ("the most viewed IMAX of all time" [because it never stops playing]).

Next stop: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Graduation Trip - Grand Canyon

We're back! The adventures of Quakhan continue to the wild west. We both graduate(d) this month and decided to take this trip before we start studying for the bar exam. Here are a few shots from Day 1 - Grand Canyon. Enjoy :)

And Just Like That, We Are Gone

In a few hours, we are leaving for home - going from Barcelona to London, London to New York, and finally New York to DC., totaling twenty-four hours. On the eve of our departure, we thought we would make some brief reflections and share some anecdotes from our trip.

1. This is the best trip of our lives.
2. Fariha loves audio guides. She would often listen to all the commentary available about the same thing.
3. Fasiha is a true blue Bengali the way she photographs EVERYTHING from every single angle humanly possible. She should've just gotten a fanny pack to seal the deal.
4. Fariha cannot stand dirt on her feet.
5. Wherever we go, Fariha makes sure to scout out all possible food options. If she is not planning the next meal, she is explaining in detail her concurrent meal experience or reminiscing on a past one.
6. We found our Bengali bretherin everywhere - manning souvenir shops and halal restaurants. Some would talk in Bangla about us thinking that even though we were Bengali, we didn't understand.
7. Fasiha decided to be a bit of an explorer during a guided tour at St. Peter's Basilica among thousands of people. Let's just say the man with the umbrella was not happy.
8. There will never be more perfect flan than that which we found at a corner restaurant in Barcelona.
9. After halal Subway in London, we will never be able to return to tuna and veggies.
10. Although neither of us are art fans, particular modern art, we have on more than one occassion gone to an art museum in good faith to pay our respects. On one occassion, Fariha kept muttering, "Picasso, what are you trying to tell me?"
11. Fasiha fully embraced the siesta in Barcelona.
12. Daddy/Uncle wins the best email correspondence award. We convey our whole hearted affection.
13. Fasiha took nearly 3,800 photos.
14. Rick Steves has been a true friend and guide. We couldn't do it without him. (Don't worry Daddy/uncle, he is just the author of our guide books).
15. Fariha's kind soul manages to attract all sorts of creepies everywhere we went. Fasiha had a poliy of non-engagement.
16. Despite Fariha's considerable map reading skills, there were two phantom hot spots we were unable to find: one of the mosques in Toledo and the Assembly rooms in Bath.
17. The U.S. is really missing out on the waffle and crepe market. Forget cookies, guys, this is where it's at.
18. Fariha learned the word for "sale" in every language we encountered.
19. Fasiha can fall asleep anywhere.
20. We are coming back.

Superlatives
Best English attraction: Roman baths
Best English Park: Regent's Park
Best London activity: Wicked
Best Castle: Leed's Castle
Best Castle Experience: Hampton Palace
Best Scenic View: Sacre Couer
Best Meal: Grill Ephes (Paris)
Best Spanish Park: Parc del Retiro
Best Madrid attraction: Parc del Retiro
Best Spanish attraction: Cordoba Mezquita
Best London attraction: Westminster Abbey
Best Rome attraction: Coliseum
Best Paris attraction: Sacre Couer
Best Amsterdam attraction: the fries
Best Cathedral: Sagrada Familia
Nicest People: Spaniards
Best Airline Carrier: British
Worst Airline Carrier: Alitalia
Best shopping: Barcelona
Best Waffles: all of them

Thanks for following along, hope enjoyed it. We will see you soon. :)

Love,

Fasiha & Fariha

Parc de Guell

Absolutely enchanting and whimsical.