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SHARING EXPERIENCES AND DREAMS

Savoring Spirituality in Kathmandu

The sheltering canopy of Buddhism in Nepal becomes apparent with a few visits to monasteries scattered across the Kathmandu valley; indeed, you can immerse yourself in local handicraft stores… [more]

Accessible, Acceptable White Water Rafting: Nepal Style !

Legend has it that the powerful Hindu god Shiva drove his trident (Trishuli) into the ground, thus creating three springs from which the river Trushuli flows. Named after Shiva's trident, this bordering… [more]

Do you know the way to Kathmandu ?

You almost have to be a detective to follow clues and tips to find a manageable route to the eclectic environs of the Kathmandu Valley and the myriad sites that compel people from around the world to visit! My… [more]

Category : Bhutan

This category is about destinations in Bhutan

Mystical Tiger’s Nest

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Vishal Chamling Rai

The Himalayas are a mystic adventure for many people especially from the west and the far-east. Grand white mass of mountains, dark forested hills, beautiful waterfalls…the list of rhetoric are endless. They all seem to attract the discerning travelers as the bees to flowers. The memories are sweet nectar.

Mystical Tiger's Nest

My 3 hrs hike to Taktsang Monastery in Paro, Bhutan was one that transported me to an era that I thought existed only in a digital studio in some corner of Hollywood. Bhutan has always prided herself in the ‘Thunder Dragon Kingdom’ ruled by a benevolent King. So, it is a surprise not to experience that in Paro, a truly picturesque valley. There are many things to do in Paro…from admiring the Dzongs to lounging in discos. Since I am not a party animal I took the path that gradually takes one through the Blue Pine hills, never dropping in altitude, until one has the view of the unbelievable work of art resting heavily on the mystical Buddhist legend. It is so powerful…that you accept the translation ‘The Tiger Nest’ probably as immediately as Yeshey Tshogyal had transformed herself into a Tigress on whose back Guru Padmasambhava flew to the grand rocky edifice, 900 m above Paro valley, sometime in the early 8^th Century A.D.

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Creating a wonderful experience

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Lawrence Brown

I was asked by a friend what brought me 10,000 miles away from home, over 10 times, to Nepal. It brought me a little up short and I had to go back some 6 years to remember the path that lead me to this beautiful Himalayan land.

Serendipity has always been a word that seems to resonate well in my mind. It means a variety of events or a multi-colored patchwork of items creating a wonderful experience. I want to use it as the guide word that took me eventually to Nepal.

Mt. Fishtail View from Ghorepani, Nepal

The First Event – I retired from over 40 years of teaching. That change in life style would lead to the next event on the path to Nepal.

The Second Event - My wife and I decided to celebrate the First Event we would take a river cruise in Europe. To this end my wife started bringing home travel guides and books. One of these books would lead to the next event.

The Third Event - One of the books had letters from travelers and one person said that whenever he took a trip to a place he had never been he joined this free international pen pal club and wrote to someone from the country to which he was traveling. He said he always got a response and valuable information about where to go and what to see. And so I did exactly as he suggested and this lead me to the fourth event on my road to Nepal.

The Fourth Event - I contacted someone and got information and it worked beautifully. As I was scanning the list of countries I came across Nepal and I looked at the people wanting to write to a pen pal. I wrote and got a response and this lead to the last step.

The Fifth Event – this was an invitation to visit Nepal. It included my wife, who declined, but I went as I had never been before.

That was 6 years ago and since that time I have come to admire and love the people of Nepal who struggle against so many shortages and a lack of a government. But, it is the children that are the draw for me. As a former educator, I am torn by the helpless victims of civil war and political malaise that keeps children begging on the streets and involved with drugs and a sense that nobody cares. So, I help where I can. Getting there is neither of a short duration nor a cheap travel trip. I have tried many ways and the best and most expedient way is to fly Thai Airlines out of Los Angeles to Bangkok, Thailand.

This is a 16 to 18 hour flight. Once in Thailand, landing at 6:30 AM or so, the next day leaves you tired but glad to walk the ,long corridors of the airport and visit the shops and grab a bite to eat. For me on the way out, or in, I grab a McDonald’s hamburger as beef is not a staple in Nepal. After a 3 to 4 hour wait you fly for about 3 and a half hours into Kathmandu, Nepal, by Thai Air.

Another way is to fly out of either Los Angeles or San Francisco to home ports for whatever airline you choose. For example, on my last trip I flew Singapore Airlines so we stopped in Inchon/Seoul, Korea on our way to Singapore. In Korea we had a 2 hour layover after a 14 hour flight and then we were off again for another 6 hours into Singapore. Here I booked a room at the Ambassador Hotel which is inside the airport. Be sure to make reservations well ahead. Then in the morning we took off and flew another 6 hours into Kathmandu. Singapore service was excellent on board. This was a long flight. The one positive was the hotel where one could get a hot shower and about 6 hours of sleep. If you are younger the long flights and long layovers, 10 to 12 hours depending where you land, are handled more easily than for older travelers. Although a bit more Thai offers the ease of the flight, superior service and a quicker arrival time in Nepal.

Will I go again? Yes, as I am drawn there by good friends, beautiful scenery and the chance to help a little and give back to a few.

Paro’s Rinpung Dzong

Posted on September 9, 2011 by admin

The Paro valley has always been significant to Bhutan as a commercial hub. It is situated at a height of 2,280m and because the only airport (about 7 km from Paro town) in Bhutan is situated here, most tours begins and ends at Paro. Historically too Paro was the centre of two of the most important trade routes to Tibet. In the middle of the valley is the Paro town which is along the banks of the Paro Chu river. Paro has a bustling little town because it is the only marketplace in the entire Dzongkhag (district). Paro still retains its ancient charm and around it there are many monuments that commemorate the historical glory days of Bhutan.There are many things to see in Paro. You can visit the Paro Dzong (fortress)which is also known as the Rinpung Dzong.The Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Paro Dzong is set in the picturesque valley of Paro above the Paro Chu River.

Rinpung-Dzong

In the 1644, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this fortress. Rinpung Dzong means “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. Today the Dzong serves as Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist monastery and also houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag (district). In 1907, it was damaged by fire but was restored later. In the 15th century much of the Paro valley was controlled by the descendants of Phajo Drugom Zippo, the founder of the Drukpa Kagyupa School in Bhutan, who later relinquished their fort to Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who began massive construction work and built the Rinpung Dzong.The Rinpung Dzong is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. The wood work on it is exceptional. Inside the Rinpung Dzong there are fourteen shrines and chapels. A beautiful wooden bridge leads to the Dzong and the entrance is guarded by two traditional effigies standing on either side of the gate: a Mongol holding a tiger on a leash and a man holding a black yak. On the hill above Rinpung Dzong is a seven storied the watchtower fortress or Ta Dzong built in 1649. In 1968 this was established as the home of the National Museum of Bhutan.

With a sincere approach to our tours/treks, a good work ethic, and a genuine desire to succeed – these are all part of Himalayan Dream’s approach to making a difference in the clients who select our services. In every tour or trek that we design we are always aware of our clients’ needs and also the needs of the environment and the native peoples in the more remote regions of this part of the world. We hope to demonstrate the regions of this area of the world without glitz and false promotions that reward neither the traveler nor the people living here. It is hoped that when your tour/trek is completed you will carry away with you a sense of the warmth and hospitality of the region’s peoples, but also a better understanding of the beauty and fragile environment that creates such wondrous scenery and a sense of inner peace that will remain deep within you for many years to come.

It is our goal to have each of our clients participate and experience the culture, the ethos, and the beauty that belongs uniquely to this part of our planet. It is hope our clients will take away with them an everlasting experience and a deeper understanding about the world in which we live.