Anne Tachado Photography

19/05/2026

My mom has always said that she’s not the most adventurous person — probably because of her heart condition. But despite that, she’s always carried a deep curiosity and openness toward the world around her, and that’s exactly what led her to Ladakh.

After a 3-hour journey from Leh, we finally made our way to Nubra Valley. The high mountain passes were challenging for her, which meant she couldn’t visit some of the monasteries and other nearby attractions. Still, that didn’t stop her from making the most of the experience.

Instead, she spent time exploring and learning more about the sustainability projects within the property. As a landscape architect, my mom is constantly seeking inspiration especially when it comes to sustainability, and finding that delicate balance between nature and human coexistence. Lchang Nang felt like a beautiful example of exactly that.

Even with the physical challenges, she’s already talking about coming back again in the future.

Watch the rest of this adventure in Part 2.

(LINK IN BIO)

13/05/2026

During this trip, we asked .ladakh
if we can visit an artisan they were working with. Here, we had the chance to visit weaver’s home in Kharnakling and learn about traditional loom weaving. There, we met Angmo and Sonam, who have been in the craft for more than two decades. As Angmo worked at the loom, she shared the story of their family business, which has been passed down through three generations. They create handmade carpets, mats, and clothing such as hats, socks, and scarves.

A single carpet can take anywhere from fifteen days to a month to complete, while smaller clothing pieces usually take a few days to a week. They spin their own yarn from wool and use natural dyes made from plants to colour each piece.

Supporting local artisans and small businesses is so important in preserving this craft, especially as mass production continues to dominate the market. There is always something special about handcrafted work — machines simply can’t replicate the soul, care, and individuality behind it.

10/05/2026

Just uploaded a new video on YouTube, and this one feels extra special because my mom is in it. I’ve always wanted to learn videography and filmmaking because I love watching cinematic travel videos, but I kept putting it off — feeling overwhelmed, intimidated, or simply too lazy to start.

But you can’t really learn if you never begin, right? Nothing starts out perfect, and that’s okay. You improve as you keep creating and honing your craft.

Link to the full video is in my bio 🎥

08/05/2026

The Congregation of Lalibela

Easter is observed here with as much devotion as in other Christian-majority countries. Perhaps “celebration” isn’t the right word, after all, this is a solemn occasion. I watched the crowds making their way to the churches.

Easter Sunday brings communities together. Special church services and Masses are held across denominations, drawing families and neighbors to celebrate together

I’ve always been fascinated by how religious practices reveal the values and evolution of societies. Yet beyond history, it’s the depth of individual devotion that is truly moving. No historical lens can fully capture the power of devotion—the quiet intensity of belief in each bowed head and each whispered prayer.

08/05/2026

07/05/2026

Scenes from Fasika

14/04/2026

I’m agnostic, but I’m always in awe of how people express their faith, and this was probably one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had.

In Ethiopia, Easter or Fasika holds more weight than Christmas. For Orthodox and Evangelical believers, what matters most is not the birth of Jesus, but his death and resurrection. The crucifixion on a Friday is seen as the fulfillment of God’s word, and three days later, Jesus rose from the tomb—a moment celebrated as Easter Sunday. This is why Fasika is the culminating celebration of the religious calendar.

The ceremonies begin on Good Friday. Pilgrims fill the churches, moving quietly between prayer, rest, and attentive listening to the priests. Silence hangs in the air as priests and deacons chant for hours, accompanied by the steady beat of drums. Around you, some of the most devoted have observed their own ‘Last Supper’ the night before and will not eat or drink until Sunday morning. Fatigue shows on their faces, and many take brief rests or even sleep on the church floors between bouts of prayer. Pilgrims prostrate themselves repeatedly, bowing and rising again and again until exhaustion sets in. The main service is the Paschal Vigil on Saturday night, a sacred, intense gathering where music and dancing continue into the early hours. Prayers echo from the chambers below, filling the space with a sense of timeless devotion. 

I spent midnight inside the church, waiting for Easter Sunday to begin. The air was thick with incense, and the soft flicker of candles illuminated faces worn from hours of devotion. Some worshippers had dozed off, exhausted by the vigil, while a deacon’s voice rose passionately over the speakers, carrying sermons meant to stir the faithful. Outside, the message spilled into the town through loudspeakers, reaching anyone who couldn’t make it inside. 

05/12/2025

Leh still gives me the same rush of excitement and wonder as it did when I first visited last year. I stayed at Dolkhar again, and it felt nice to return to familiar faces. This time my mom came with me, and just like I did on my first trip, she enjoyed the autumn light, the monasteries, and meeting local artisans.

The team at Dolkhar helped us with everything, as always. The villa was also the perfect place for my mom to recover when she came down with altitude sickness. They recently celebrated their third anniversary, and it feels good to support a place that genuinely cares about heritage, inclusive livelihoods, and the environment.

I’m grateful I got to share this experience with my mom, and I’m already looking forward to coming back, to Dolkhar and to Leh.

13/06/2025

Surrounded by mountains, I am reminded of our smallness in this vast world. Their presence helps me focus on what truly matters. It is somehow reassuring.
🇮🇳

07/05/2025

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness”.

Henry David Thoreau

14/03/2025

One of the most striking scenes in Phugtal is the sight of Buddhist monks in their yellow and red robes, wearing felt hats shaped like yak horns. Phugtal belongs to the Gelugpa sect, also known as the “Yellow Hat” school, a major school of Tibetan Buddhism founded in the 14th century. The Gelugpa emphasise the study of Buddhist doctrine and philosophy as a foundation before advancing to yogic and ta***ic practices

Monks here progress through different stages, starting with Sutrayana Buddhism, where they rigorously study scholarly philosophy, memorizing texts, and sharpening their understanding through debate. It takes years of study and countless debates before a monk is even allowed to practice Vajrayana. In fact, most Gelugpa monks never move beyond the Sutrayana level to engage in Vajrayana practices.

I find Tibetan Buddhism to be an intellectually stimulating religion. While it explores existence and compassion, it also demands a strong grasp of logic and esoteric traditions. It’s a vast storehouse of psychological and philosophical insights, both theoretical and practical.

Many of these monks have spent their lives in isolation, dedicating themselves to study—yet the pursuit of knowledge never stops.