Passage: Bhutan

10/30/2023

10/23/2023

Our early start driving deep into Tang Valley, a first even for me, was quickly rewarded. Climbing the first pass brought into view this nunnery surrounded by lush clouds of valley fog. It turned out to be an auspicious sign, as the day ended up yielding the most spectacular hiking and views of our trip so far.

10/19/2023

Every man I’m standing with in the first picture can be seen as a boy in the second picture. 2004 was the year of my first trip to Bhutan. I was selected to fill a summer-long post as golf coach for the Bhutan Youth Golf Association, and my connection to Bhutan and to these kids has only strengthened over the years.

While this week is my 5th visit to Bhutan it is my first in 13 years, and a lot has changed. The boys have grown into not just fine men, but several have become truly talented golfers. It is unfair to single one out, but (second from right in blue) currently deserves special recognition. In a few days he leaves for Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia to represent his country as Bhutan’s top amateur golfer in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. I couldn’t be more proud of him. You can also spot him in the last 3 pictures which help illustrate just how much these kids have grown.

Before those last three pictures, though, enjoy seeing pictures from our night out yesterday where I was fed a giant drink called “The Yeti” and I was gifted a beautiful thangka by the group which depicts the story of The Four Harmonious Friends; an appropriate story and gift given my relationship with them. It was hard not to get a bit emotional seeing them all again and having the opportunity to refresh my friendships with each of them in person. I’ll remember this day as one of my favorite ever in Bhutan. Thank you so much, boys!

10/18/2023

Traditional Bhutanese service and a very special meal at the National Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu, accompanied by my good friend Patrizia Franceschinis and our tour operator Karma. Served in wooden bowls called Dhapa, we enjoyed (clockwise from top) potatoes in chili cheese, beef, pork, fish, steamed spinach, green beans, a cucumber/watermelon salad, ema datshi (chilis in cheese - the national dish), buckwheat pancakes and red rice. We also sipped on butter tea and homemade ara, a sake-esque alcoholic drink that is made by fermenting barely, rice, millet or buckwheat.

10/14/2023

A great way to stretch your legs in Punakha is to hike up to Khamsum Yully Namgyal Chorten, one of the newest and most ornate monasteries in all of Bhutan. It was built in 2004 by order of the Queen Mother to ensure health and long life to the Crown Prince, now the 5th King of the hereditary monarchy, as well as to ward off evil spirits in Bhutan and bring harmony to all living things.

10/10/2023

Flashback to 2004… at the end of my summer in Bhutan I trekked to Jomolhari base camp. After three days on the trail you reach the 13,400ft camp below the 24.035ft peak. Aside from the views, my favorite memory was the one night we camped with yak herders (and their herd). A friend in Thimphu had gifted me a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. I offered to share it and was invited to their tent for a dinner of yak stew made with meat from their (the yaks) ankle bones. My guide served as translator, but once everyone had a few snorts of JW hardly any translation was needed.

10/05/2023

Looking across a few of Royal Thimphu Golf Club’s fairways and greens toward Thimphu Dzong. This was my view walking home each day from the golf course, and on this occasion I simply decided to place my sunglasses over the camera lens. Total pro move.

10/02/2023

Flashback to 2004… I spent three months in Bhutan as Program Director for the Bhutan Youth Golf Association (BYGA). The experience was life changing! Upon my return, members at the club where I teach golf were extremely interested in learning about travel to Bhutan. So began my secret life as tour guide and the multiple return trips I’ve been fortunate to make.

10/01/2023

So much to unpack in this photo: misty mountains ✅, an ancient fortress ✅, a photogenic kid ✅, and he’s holding a golf club ✅! Royal Thimphu Golf Club is a 9 hole facility neighboring Thimphu Dzong. This imposing structure houses government offices, sacred temples and shrines, and residences for local monks. What better backdrop for a golf course?

09/28/2023

One of the most iconic sites in Bhutan, Tiger’s Nest is a monastery perched 3,000 feet above the valley floor. It is said Guru Rimpoche arrived here in Bhutan flying on the back of a tigress and landing at a cave high on this cliffside. The story continues hundreds of years later, when he was believed to be reincarnated as the man who led construction of the monastery in 1692.

09/28/2023

These guys are heading to Bhutan in October for a 2 week adventure. Follow along with them and get a glimpse into the mystery and wonder of the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” 🇧🇹