When I first scheduled the itinerary for the Bhutan Laya Trek, I never dreamed that such an exciting event as the King’s wedding would happen during the tour. While I joked that the itinerary may or may not include a bit of of royal festivities, meeting the King and the (new) Queen wasn’t event a blip on my radar. But meet him we did.

The day after the Royal couple tied the knot at the Punakha Dzong, they made their way to Thimphu, normally a couple of hours’ drive away. On this day, however, they spent the entire day driving short distances and greeting the people who lined the road along the way, including our group.

Because no photos are allowed to be taken of the King other than by His Majesty’s (HM, as the locals call him) own photographer, the closest I came was of the altar above featuring offerings and the posed photo of the newlyweds.

During the ceremony, the Punakha Dzong, which is already the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan, was specially lovely as it was decorated with prayer flags along the roof.

While the trek was amazing, I’d have to say the highlight of the tour might have been meeting HM

Travel Well!

Beth

It is a busy few weeks for B but I have a feeling of excitement that I haven’t had in a long time because much of these travels will be completely new for me.

While this is my 6th time to Bhutan, it’s my first time on the Laya Trek. Having trekked in Eastern Bhutan last year, I know more or less what I’m getting into and this trip has me excited and nervous. I’m excited because I know how breathtakingly beautiful hiking in the Himalayas is going to be. But I also know it won’t be easy – between the altitude, the potential for rain (which brings mud and leeches), the long days and the possibility of snow, I’ve also got  a feeling of trepidation. I suppose that sometimes it’s easier not knowing what to expect

The King is getting married during this trip so there will be an unusually high level of excitement as the Bhutanese revere their King.

After Bhutan, I head off to Burma for a week to research a tour for 2012. I’ll be hitting the popular spots that are on most tourist itineraries: Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan.

I ran into a friend just before I left who said Bagan was transformative for him and he ranked it up there with visiting the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. I’m lowering my expectations because I want to be pleasantly surprised. (It’s the same reason I don’t like reading reviews of a movie – I want to make my own judgement without someone else’s experience in my head.)

Bangkok is my hub for this trip – I’m popping in and out of the city between countries. I have mixed feelings about Bangkok. It’s a polluted, traffic-congested metropolis filled with old men from Western countries on the prowl for relationships (short and long term) with young Thai women. But it’s also filled with an amazing amount of culture, exquisite Buddhist temples, saffron-robed monks and street food to die for. Oh, and how could I forget the massages – of which I usually indulge in a foot massage each day that I’m in town. (Yesterday marked the discovery of a luxury spa where I enjoyed a 2-hour foot massage for about $15.)

So, B’s in Bangkok and leaving for Bhutan in hours. Other than occasional posts that have been queued up, I’ll be offline for the majority of my time in Bhutan – no power or internet in the Himalayas after all. And potentially offline in Burma as internet is spotty there to say the least.

So off I go for new adventures. Jetlagged and hardly sleeping. Excited as ever. And eager to share when I get back!

Travel Well!

Beth

I spent last week at Rancho la Puerta. While I was definitely unplugged for much of the time there, it was a press trip so a certain amount of due diligence had to be done. Such as wandering the grounds and photographing the beautifully landscaped surroundings. It’s a tough job, ya know?

As you might expect from a spa retreat that’s focused on healthy living, the grounds at Rancho la Puerta are immaculately sculpted and very well taken care of. You can’t help but relax as you meander along the brick walkways. The thick trees and shrub hide most of the buildings so you always feel like you’re isolated – in a very good way, of course.

Rocky, rolling hills surround the Ranch while grapevines (not yet growing) and wagon wheels dot the open spaces.

Buildings are tucked away down quiet walkways so that only a few rooms and suites are clustered near each other, making it very quiet.

A short walk from the Ranch is the cooking school, La Cocina Que Canta. The acres of land around the school are meticulously kept by Salvador, a true master gardener. In addition to the plethora of fruits and vegetables, flowers magically burst from the ground.

Of course I’ve come home to Seattle completely inspired to dive into my own garden. But I have to deal with the reality that we just don’t have the same beautiful year-round desert climate as the Ranch, located just over the border in the hills of Mexico. It’s a week at Rancho la Puerta that makes me wonder out loud why I do live here in Seattle with our 9 months of gray and rain. (Oh woe is me!)

See other lovely photos at DeliciousBaby!

Travel Well!

Beth

I’m still connected, to a degree, but I’m trying to be offline in order to recharge my personal battery, rather than my iPhone or laptop batteries.

I’m at Rancho la Puerta in Baja California, Mexico. I’m surrounded by mountains, blue skies during the day and an explosion of stars at night.

My days have been filled with exercise classes, massages, hot tubbing and some of the most amazing food you’ll find anywhere.

I’ll be back on track next week with some regular blogging. For now, I’m taking care of myself with this much needed break.

Beth

It’s been 7 months since I visited Papua New Guinea, and I still don’t have my head wrapped around this country. Nor do I think I ever will. It’s just way too complicated with approximately 850 tribes found throughout this island nation. And many of them so isolated that they have their own distinct language and can’t communicate with tribes located within miles of them.

To complicate matters, the country’s natural resources are being exploited by companies from many countries including Malayasia, Australia and neighboring Indonesia.

Tribal life in Papua New Guinea is not perfect – women are treated poorly and hold nearly the same status as pigs (which ARE valuable, by the way). But it’s a way of life that they’ve developed over tens of thousands of years. As a matter of fact, a recent Reuters article reported that archeologists have found evidence that humans lived in the Highlands of PNG 50,000 years ago. Tell me we don’t have something to learn from them!

The mudmen are some of the most unusually dressed tribesman at the Mt. Hagen Singsing. Legend has it that during a war with a neighboring tribe, the Asaro tribesmen ran into a riverbed to hide. When they emerged, they were covered in mud. Their enemy believed that these “men” came from the spirit world and didn’t attempt to kill them. Seizing the opportunity, the Asaro tribe continued to dress like this for battle.

Tribes use available materials as part of their clothing: Bird feathers, pig tusks, pandanu leaves and hornbills are all commonly seen. There’s also a lot of trading between tribes who associate with one another – therefore it’s common to see coastal shells adorning the necks of mountain and jungle tribes.

This is one of 5 wives of the tribal chief near Magic Mountain, not far from Hagen. She shows off her wealth in the number of shelled necklaces she wears. I can’t imagine how many pounds she’s carrying!

There must be great pain (yet great pride) involved in inserting natural elements into one’s nose – like these pig tusks in the septum of this Gor tribesman.

This man is preparing for the Piaya Mini-Show, which is a half-day private singsing where maybe a dozen tribes gather as they practice for the Mt. Hagen Singsing the following day. During our August Papua New Guinea Mt. Hagen Singsing tour, the group will visit this show and be able to meander around the tribes while they apply their makeup and costumes, and practice their singing and dancing.

Not everyone in Papua New Guinea wears tribal clothing. This gentleman was (presumably) a local, taking in the events of the day just like the rest of us. I am surprised, but shouldn’t be, at how much he looks like an Australian Aboriginal.

See other lovely photos at DeliciousBaby!

Travel Well!

Beth

Related links:
Papua New Guinea co-ed cultural tour
Papua New Guinea Coastline
Papua New Guinea Erima Tribe
Is Port Moresby Safe or Dangerous?