Author: Nancy

Spent a few days in the beautiful city of Barcelona attending the IWF Cornerstone Conference. The event was hosted at the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), located in the new business and technology district north of the port, away from the more touristy areas of the city. I’d not been to this area of the…

Friends and acquaintances are curious why we chose Bhutan as a travel destination. Some people had never heard of the country and many think it’s in Africa. Those who were familiar with Bhutan immediately identified it as the ‘happiest country in the world”. I have wanted to hike the majestic Himalayas my entire life. In…

We spent our last afternoon and the next morning in Paro enjoying the amenities of our National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. Zhiwaling is a world class resort; it’s grounds are beautifully landscaped with willows and budding peach trees framing the Bhutanese architecture. A bubbling stream flows through the property feeding a small lake….

We were up early and at the trail head to Taktsang Lhakhang, the Tiger’s Nest, by 7:30am. It was a perfect day for a hike; sunny, cloudless blue sky, temperatures in the high 50s. The Tiger’s Nest clings to a rocky mountain towering 2600 ft above the valley at an elevation of 9678 ft. It…

We had time for a short walk in the morning before we left for Paro. The rain had cleared, the sun was out and the clouds were thinning so that the high peaks were becoming visible in the background. We walked down the hill from the hotel and spotted a large soaring bird – a…

We rose early, breakfasted and packed for a day of hiking. Our plan was to hike through the rice fields and uphill to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Lhakhang, hike down along the river, stop for a picnic lunch and then hike to Punakha Dzong. Punakha is in a valley at an altitude of 4000 ft. vs…

The small village of Sobsukha in Punakha district is an agricultural community surrounded by rice paddy fields but it is best known as the starting point for the hike to Chimi Lhankhang, the monastery of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, fondly remembered as the Divine Madman. Our visit to Chimi would help us discover the key to…

We leave Thimphu for Punakha later today.  Although less than 50 miles, our actual drive time will be over three hours because of the mountains; our route will cross the 10,300 ft Dochu La pass.  Before leaving Thimphu, though, we have several additional places to visit. First stop in the heart of the city is…

This afternoon we experienced everyday Bhutanese culture.  First stop – the local market.   The Centennial Farmer’s Market is located on the Wang Chu River and attracts vendors and farmers from all over the region to sell their produce in Thimphu.  The market was a cacophony of colors, sounds and smells.  Vendors sat surrounded by mounds…

We woke to a beautiful sunny day.  After a quick breakfast, we met Tandin to hike and explore the Thimphu countryside.  Our first stop was Changgang Kha Monastery, a hill top temple where Tandin’s family has practiced Buddhism for generations. We quickly learned in Bhutan that to experience ‘thin places’, those holy places where the…