<![CDATA[Paul W. Shaffner - Wanderlust]]>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:53:51 +0900Weebly<![CDATA[Gongshan, China]]>Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:45:07 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/china-or-myanmarGongshan, Nujiang, Yunnan, China or Kachin State, Myanmar?
28.101144, 98.151952

These mountains that form the border between Burma and the Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County reach 4000m and are snow-covered in winter. The snow melts to reveal a lush green alpine mosaic that is reminiscent of the Scottish highlands.

This photo is tagged in China, but the only lake I can see in this area seems to actually by within the Kachin State of Myanmar/Bruma. Regardless, this seems to be an incredibly remote and beautiful area.
]]><![CDATA[Ripera River Source Hike]]>Fri, 15 May 2015 14:36:16 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/starting-point-of-ripera-riverRivera River, Kipengere-Mpanga Game Reserve, Tanzania
-9.134706, 34.372558

I've driven past the Kimani Falls of the Ripera River many times on the TANZAM highway, but just realized how relatively close it starts to Ibaga Ranch where we'll be visiting in a few weeks.

The route that the river takes through the game reserve descending north off of the Kipengere Plateau creates a series of periodic waterfalls for the next 30-40 km as it descends to Kimani Falls and eventually in the Usangu Flats in the headwaters of the Great Ruaha River. I'd love to try to attempt this in a 2-3 day hike:

Day 1: Ibaga Ranch - Ripera River source
Day 2: follow Ripera River
Day 3: arrive Kimani Falls]]><![CDATA[Simlipal National Park]]>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:51:30 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/simlipal-national-park
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Simlipal National Park, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India
21.932900, 86.381349


Former royal hunting grounds turned elephant and tiger reserve. The only biosphere reserve in India which is not exclusionary. 10,000 people live throughout the park.
]]><![CDATA[Keketuohai Geological National Park]]>Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:47:25 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/keketuohai-geological-national-park
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Keketuohai Geological National Park, Fuyun, Altay, Xinjiang, China
    47.297877, 89.971278

    The Yosemite Valley in China? Massive granite valley walls in a remote region where China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan converge.

]]><![CDATA[Ndechela Forest Reserve, Tanzania]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:27:29 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/ndechela-forest-reserve-tanzania
    So remote that I can't find a single photo anywhere online...
]]><![CDATA[Lakes Rutundu & Alice, Kenya]]>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:52:37 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/lakes-rutundu-alice-kenyaLakes Rutundu & Alice, Kenya
-0.039391,37.460989

Or any of the trout-stocked streams/lakes in the Kenyan Highlands, really...]]><![CDATA[Yakushima Island]]>Sun, 25 Nov 2012 06:08:01 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/yakushima-islandYakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
30.29913,130.532292
]]><![CDATA[Mahogo Mountains]]>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:55:43 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/mahogo-mountainsMohogo Mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania
-9.011233, 37.102178

I flew over these mountains in the fall of 2006. I'm still dreaming of returning on foot one day. 
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]]><![CDATA[Dhofar Mountains]]>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:20:04 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/dhofar-mountainsDhofar Mountains, Oman
17° 8' 42.51" N  53° 57' 30.15" E

Hawf Protected Area, Al Maharah, Yemen
16° 38' 40.29" N   5 ° 59' 3.53" E
]]><![CDATA[Philippines Trip 12/9 - 1/8]]>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:54:56 GMThttps://www.paulshaffner.com/wanderlust/philippines-trip-1212-113We are heading to the Philippines this winter for about a month to see family and have a holiday, so I'm dedicating a wanderlust post to places I'd be interested to visit on this trip. We will be based in Manila on Luzon, and will take trips to the islands of Samar, Leyte, and Coron:

Luzon

Samar & Leyte
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Mt. Pulag, Benguet, Luzon, Philippines - 2800m asl
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The vast and minimally-explored Calbiga Cave, Samar, Philippines
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