These are videos of a recent trip traveling through China, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand. I'm experimenting with the animation of photographic content to share my story. I hope that this multimedia approach enhances your visual experience. Most of the videos are under 4 minutes so that you can watch one or two and return at your leisure.
Beijing China
Beijing To Lhasa On World's Highest Train
It was an unforgettable adventure from day one which included the new high altitude train from Beijing to Lhasa. Instead of cocktails they served oxygen as we climbed to nearly 6000 meters. I was also fortunate to be able to travel overland through Tibet by 4 wheel drive where we visited many remote villages and monasteries, culminating our adventures by spending a night at Mt. Everest base camp before crossing the Himalayas into Nepal. I have a feeling that the watermelon I brought from Lhasa was a Ripley's first to base camp. And there was time for to celebrate the world's highest milonga, dancing an Argentine Tango. As expected attendance was low with only one tango danced as our oxygen-starved bodies reeled from exhaustion!
From Everest It was a roller coaster ride downstream to Kathmandu. It was my second trip, the first being in 1972 prior to Lonely Planet and the guide I know relied onto to get me safely home. There were many other ancient cities to discover as well as a 4-day trek to remote Himalayan villages in the foreground of Annapurna. Of course there was also a few days spent, pursuing the elusive, nearly extinct white rhino by elephant.
From Everest It was a roller coaster ride downstream to Kathmandu. It was my second trip, the first being in 1972 prior to Lonely Planet and the guide I know relied onto to get me safely home. There were many other ancient cities to discover as well as a 4-day trek to remote Himalayan villages in the foreground of Annapurna. Of course there was also a few days spent, pursuing the elusive, nearly extinct white rhino by elephant.
Exotic Bhutan was the final destination before my Bangkok departure for Oregon. I prefer to travel independently, but soon learned, without exception, that the only way to enter Bhutan is on a tour. The government only allows a limited amount of visitors per year to protect the population from the negative impact of uncontrolled tourism. I now fully appreciate the implication of that policy. My tour was a tour for two, complete with car, driver, and guide. Both were university graduates who spoke excellent English. They made the trip an outstanding adventure, offering an historical perspective with lots of last minute flexibility for mini-experiences off the beaten track.
This journey from Beijing to Bangkok was full of rich cultural contrast, harmony, and incredible timeless moments. I hope my snapshots give you a sense of the people and places I visited and perhaps alter your perception of our not so distant neighbors.
This journey from Beijing to Bangkok was full of rich cultural contrast, harmony, and incredible timeless moments. I hope my snapshots give you a sense of the people and places I visited and perhaps alter your perception of our not so distant neighbors.
Lhasa#1 Tibet
Lhasa#2 Tibet
Drepung Monastery Tibet
Ganden Monastery Tibet
NamTso Lake Tibet
Reting Monastery Tibet
Samye Monastery Tibet
Sera Monastery Tibet
Gyantse Shigaste Monastery Tibet
Tingri Mt.Everest Tibet
Kathmandu Nepal
Kathmandu Nepal
Boudha+Pashupati Nepal
Bhaktapur Nepal
Erotic Temple Art and Pottery
Erotic Temple Art and Pottery
Bhaktapur, sometimes called the city of temples, has some unusually erotic wood carvings. There you will also find excellent pottery makers.
Chitwan+Pokhara Nepal
Nepal Trek Part 1
There are lots of opportunities for treking the incredibly steep terrain of Nepal. It can take all day to hike from one ridge down to the valley floor, cross a river, and then hike up the other side. The trail is often rocky and slippery, a creek in the rainy season. What I was not expecting was the leeches. The trails and paths were loaded with them. Picking those blood sucking creatures off my body, from between my toes, and off parts of my body that hadn't seen sunlight for sometime, was unnerving and memorable.
What you prefer to remember are the incredible vistas of the Himayalan range with Annapurna majestically centered and snow capped, surrounded by other mountain peaks. I also would include the wonderful people who live in the mountains as one of the top reasons for undertaking such a trek. They must pack store-bought conveniences into the villages by mule or on their own backs. There are no roads. Medical assistance is non-existent. Life is a primitive journey and only the hardy survive, yet they are gracious with strangers, sharing what little they have, including a welcoming smile.
Nepal Trek Part 2
More Pokhara+Kathmandu Nepal
Paro Part 1+Thimphu Bhutan
Paro Part 2 Bhutan
Trongsa+Phobjikha in Bhutan
Wangdi, Punakha, Chimi,+
Lhathang-Places in Bhutan
Bangkok+Chaing Mai Part One Thailand
Chaing Mai Part 2+Hill Tribes
Northern Thailand
The hill tribes of Northern Thailand include the long-necked Paduang, the Karen, the Hmong, and the Akha tribes. As you see, each has a distinctive dress and appearance.
Chaing Mai Zoo+Panda Center
Northern Thailand
