CHRISTOPHER WISE

Wrote and photographed “On the Right Track,” p. 78

Wise, who has been living in Bangkok for almost 20 years, has a clear predilection for big Asian cities. But when the chaos, fumes, and clamor of the Thai capital get too much, he looks to the countryside—any countryside—for escape. “Walking holidays have become my new source of relaxation,” he says, “and for my most recent escape, I chose Nepal. The trip combined lower-altitude hikes in the hills around historic Bandipur with stays at great heritage hotels. It was a perfect pairing.” His only regret? “The best time to visit Nepal for the weather and views is November to December; I jumped the gun a bit by visiting in September. So I only got a glimpse of the great peaks you see in all the postcards, though I was more than captivated by the lovely villages and friendly farmers I encountered on the trails. After all, the main reason I was there was to put one foot in front of the other and leave city life behind.”