As part of DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday, I thought I would add a post featuring the children of Bhutan. While adults around the world tend to be reserved, it’s the kids that come runnng out into the streets wanting their photos taken. Bhutan is no different. The kids there are charming, sweet and love to look Read More…
himalayas
Bhutan April 2009, Update 4
After settling in Bumthang for a few nights, we turned around and began heading back west again. Rather than going back through Trongsa and Punakha, we overnighted in the Gangtey Valley. This area is famous for the Black Necked Cranes that winter here from about December through February, before heading back north to Tibet. Unfortunately, Read More…
Photo of the Day: Bhutan Architecture
I never tire of looking at the iconic architecture in Bhutan. Buildings have outer walls that are white, but the windows, rooftops and railings are intricately detailed with paintings. Sometimes you’ll see tiny repetitive geometric designs stretched foot after foot on the building. Others paintings are beautiful flowers. Both are equally eye catching. This is Read More…
Bhutan April, 2009 Update 3
Bumthang Valley After departing Trongsa, our group ventured farther east into the heart of Bhutan, to the Bumthang region. After staying in different towns the first 4 nights, I think we all enjoyed settling in for a few nights and exploring the surrounding area. The Bumthang area is actually 4 major valleys. We walked through Read More…
Photo of the Day: Bhutan Tsechu Festival
In Bhutan, a Tsechu is a religious festival held during an auspicious time based on the lunar calendar. Most of these are held during October and November but there are a couple in April as well. A special event was held for our group in April in which we got to see these magnificent dancers Read More…
Photo of the Day: Faces of Bhutan
Few tourists travel to Bhutan, primarily because the government implements a mandatory daily tariff, making travel to this Himalayan country quite expensive. Compared to its neighbors, India and China, as well as nearby Nepal, a trip to Bhutan can be many times more expensive. But it’s worth it! With so few foreigners visiting, this means Read More…
Bhutan April, 2009 Update 2
After our group’s first couple of days in Paro and Thimphu, we drove east and visited Punakha and Trongsa. Heading farther into the mountains, I got the sense that we were being enveloped in a carpet of greenery. This part of Bhutan is like the Pacific Northwest on steroids. One of the country’s most beautiful Read More…
Bhutan April, 2009: Update 1
It’s been a difficult return to Seattle for me and I’ve struggled to plant myself at my laptop to share my stories about Bhutan. After spending 12 days traversing the mountains of the Himalayas, hiking switchbacks up mountaintops to see spectacular views of valleys below and snow-covered mountains, life in Seattle seems trivial. Facebook, Twitter, Read More…
Photo of the Day: Himalayan High
I barely dragged myself out of bed at 4:30 a.m. in Darjeeling, India, to catch a ride to Tiger Hill in order to see the sun rise and cast its light on the Himalayan range. Even at daybreak, there’s no guarantee that it will be clear enough to see these mountains, which include the world’s Read More…
Bhutan Tour with a Buddhism Focus Announced
Girls near Bumthang I’ve just finalized the details on a Buddhism focused tour to Bhutan that I’ll be leading in the fall of ’09. I’ve been working closely with my in-country tour operator to put together this very special journey for a group of Wanderlusters interested in learning more about the culture and history of Read More…