Bhutan: The Land of Gross National Happiness by Pam Perry

This is a guest blogpost by Pam Perry, Director of Operations for Grand Asian Journeys and speaker at our Travelogue on Bhutan back in April at the Bainbridge Library.  We asked Pam to give a brief overview of Bhutan as a travel destination for those who could not make it to the talk. - The Traveler

The first question most people ask when Bhutan is mentioned is “Is that in Africa?,” or perhaps, “Oh yeah, they measure happiness, right?”  Well, no and yes, in that order.

Buddhist Prayer Flags

 Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between China to the north and India to the south. It is about the size of Switzerland, with a population of just 700,000 people.

As a traveler coming to Bhutan, the first thing you notice is the stunning views of the Himalayas and the countryside on the plane ride in on Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan and the only airline allowed to fly there.  Check out this tricky landing in Paro!

Once on the ground, what else does a traveler to Bhutan notice?  Here are just a few highlights of a typical visit.

Taktsang Monastery or "The Tiger's Nest"

☞  The Tiger’s Nest hangs on a cliff wall 2,900 feet above the valley floor and is only accessible by foot.  It exemplifies the remarkable architecture that is used for virtually every building in the country.

☞  Bhutan has a rich, well-preserved Buddhist culture which is evident everywhere.

☞  Trekking routes that are less populated than many others in the Himalayas 

☞  No plastic bags! (They’ve been banned since 1999) 

Why is everyone smiling?

Gross National Happiness

A very poor country, Bhutan’s fourth king decided that he would not use economics alone to measure the wealth of his country. The four pillars of Gross National Happiness are: cultural preservation, equitable economic development, good governance and environmental protection.  

Grouped together, these measures inform virtually every decision that the government makes. The government spends a good deal of money on health care, education and infrastructure, all for the betterment of their country and their people…things you will notice if you visit. 

No plastic bags!

How much does it cost to go to Bhutan?  It is not as expensive as one might expect. The “daily tariff” charged by the Bhutanese government, currently at around $200 per person, is not just a visa fee.  It is also a minimum amount of money that the government requires that you spend each day on transportation, food, lodging and guide services. There are many factors that can determine the trip cost, including the quality of accommodations.  

If you’re interested in visiting, it is necessary to book through a reputable tour operator. You cannot visit Bhutan on your own.  Grand Asian Journeys is one such local operator, and we are offering several itineraries to Bhutan, including Fibers of Bhutan: Culture, Heritage & Art (May 15-26, 2012).  Visit our Bhutan page or contact us for more information.

A passionate traveler, Pam Perry manages Grand Asian Journey's U.S. Office. She handles all client inquiries, bookings, marketing and administrative tasks.  Currently, she's developing exciting new itineraries for Bhutan, India and Vietnam for 2012 and beyond.  

Great Reads on Bhutan : Check our website, www.thetraveler.com, for a list of recommended books and guides on Bhutan.

Here are a few recent reports on Bhutan from Public Radio International's The World radio program.  

Bhutan's Hydropower Challenge (7/7)
How Democracy is Evolving in Bhutan (6/22) 

Why it costs $200 a Day in Bhutan (5/17)

Bhutan's Reform Program (5/10)

RE: Bhutan's Tobacco Laws (4/19)

Postcard from Bhutan: Gross National Happiness (4/15) - features a great slide show

Kingdom in the Himilayas (4/13) - features video of archery, the national pastime

Other links:
Fewer Fancy Hats, But Plenty of Pomp at Bhutan's Royal Wedding (NY Times, 10/13)
King of Bhutan Marries in Elaborate Ceremony (Seattle Times, 10/13)

Road Trip! -- Walla Walla, Washington

This Road Trip! Report comes from Traveler staff member Timmie Chandler, who recently completed a trip east of the Cascades with her husband Rick Chandler, who is Curator/ and Facilities Coordinator for the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum.

The tourism slogan for Walla Walla, WA is: "Walla Walla - Surprise Surprise." And indeed, we were! Having never been to Walla Walla -- some say a town so cute they had to name it twice -- in the 33 years I have lived in the Great Northwest, I didn't know what to expect.

Walla Walla Onions

They bring a tear to my eye.

We were going so that my husband Rick could collect his Award of Excellence from the Washington Museum Association's Annual Conference. In fact, he took home two awards - one individual award for himself and one for the exhibit, Ansel Adams' "Portrait of Manzanar" at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum.  The exhibit will be on display there until December 7th. If you live nearby and haven't seen it, you should allow yourself the time. It is a powerful statement of the Japanese internment during World War II.

We planned to spend the first night in Yakima, WA so that Rick could get into Walla Walla in a timely fashion for the first day of the conference. Along the way, we made our usual Curious Chandlers' side trips. We stopped at the new Suncadia Resort and Village.  Once a coal mine, now a swanky resort and golf course getaway.

We took another side trip to Roslyn to see what the Northern Exposure fuss was all about. I never did watch that program when it aired on TV in the early 1990s - nor have I seen the reruns. Maybe this Chandler isn't as curious as the Curator Chandler?

The author in Roslyn, WA.

The exit from Roslyn took us through the Yakima Canyon Scenic Byway.  It was beautiful. I felt as though I was floating through a watercolor. The canyon walls were basalt - covered in what looked like green velvet in places - all dotted with wild flowers. The Yakima River runs through it along with railroad tracks.

Yakima Valley Museum

Our final destination of the day was Yakima, where Rick wanted to visit the Yakima Valley Museum.  The museum was superlative in every sense, and they are not dependent upon state or local government monies to fund their programs and exhibits.  They have wealthy donors and private funding campaigns that not only keep them afloat, but keep them keenly competitive on the museum stage (as it were).  The building is an architectural delight.  Here we learned that celebrity chef Mario Batali is one of Yakima's favorite sons. He recently donated a wind up toy of himself and a pair of his used Crocs™ to the museum's collections.

Mario's Crocs™

Perhaps the most famous favorite son of Yakima though is Chief Justice William O. Douglas. One of the museum exhibits is his complete office that was donated to the museum after he died in 1980 - his desk, fireplace & mantel, all of his books and personal effects, his standing desk, his Justice chair, his robe - everything that was in his office after 36 years on the Supreme Court Bench. I believe his cabin still exists in Goose Valley, too. The exhibit has been built to duplicate his office in DC. They had to make a few tweaks here and there, but it is fairly faithful to the original office layout.

Yakima Museum Soda Shop

We allowed ourselves guilty pleasure ice cream cones from the soda fountain after we toured the museum. 

Rick @ Chandler Reach Winery

And of course, we weren't going to pass up stopping at a namesake winery! Chandler Reach Winery in Benton City was closed, but we've had their wines. They are quite good. We were introduced to Chandler Reach wines by none other than Seattle restauranteur Ethan Stowell, back when he was at the helm of Union on First Avenue.

Our room at the Marcus Whitman Hotel

Upon our arrival in Walla Walla, we checked into our room at the Marcus Whitman Hotel.  The Washington Museum Association got us special rates, but the hotel offers a wide range of lodging alternatives, including suites. They also offer a number of special packages, from golf to spa to "The Ultimate Mancation."  The hotel has been beautifully restored and refurbished in recent years. We were über comfy - leading the 'lush' life in Walla Walla wine country.

Whitman College Campus

The Washington Museum Association Conference was held at Whitman College, a small, liberal arts institution with approximately 1,500 students. The campus, like all of Walla Walla, is peppered with public art and sculptures like the ones to the right.

Artist working on a triptych at

the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Rick and I enjoyed our downtown explorations, and because of the conference, I had a chance to enjoy my own 'little alones" as well.  We found Walla Walla to be very walkable, with a lot of public art installations, fun shops, delicious restaurants and interesting architecture.  Here are some highlights....

"If these walls could talk!"

If the walls of the old buildings in town aren't adorned with paintings or tilework, they are left in their beautiful brick splendor like the one at left.

We had scrumptious moules frites at Brasserie Four on Main Street, which was rated as #4 of 29 Walla Walla  restaurants by Trip Advisor.com.

Hot Poop!

Hot Poop has been a Walla Walla icon for over 30 years.  The girl with the parasol (left) is just one of many colorful roadside attractions in this college town.

Mill Creek runs right 

through downtown

We enjoyed the public art installations and catching occasional glimpses of Mill Creek, which winds its way through downtown through a maze of channels and tunnels.

Relaxing after a picnic lunch downtown.

We discovered some free attractions as well, like Gerald Matthews' Museum of Unnatural History, a collection of "opinionated, satiric, iconoclastic creations of questionable taste."  While not for everyone, this art installation and the museum's charismatic founder/curator adds a bit of color to this little town in eastern Washington.

"Un-natural" History?

While Rick attended the conference workshops, I managed to ferret out wines, which I deemed taste-worthy. This one from Plumb Cellars caught my eye because Rick is a carpenter. The 2007 Damn Straight Red shown here is the recipient of a 2011 Double Gold Seattle Wine Award.  It's a fine wine.

Did we have a good time on our Walla Walla Road Trip? "Damn straight" we did!

  

Benton County Historical Museum

On our way home, we stopped in Prosser, WA to get some caffeine, and we visited the Benton County Historical Museum. From the outside, it looks like a dinky little museum housed in a pole building, but inside it houses 5,000 sq. ft. of exhibits - like this one of a 'square' grand piano. Only 53 were ever built. This museum was a serendipitous find.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

The weather was gorgeous east of the mountains until Saturday morning when we woke to rain. The snotty weather followed us all the way home. We crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a misty, moisty fog at dusk - my first trip across the bridge since it became two.  We returned home to Harbour Marina and our houseboat with great memories of our off the beaten path adventures.

I read in the paper recently that 'staycations' are out, but 'cheapcations' are in - despite the cost of gas. Like us, folks are venturing a little further away from home, but still don't want to be hit hard when the bottom line rolls around. What makes 'cheapcations' so much fun is that you constantly discover something off the beaten path that you haven't seen before - and you take the time to explore because it is, well, the cheap thing to do!

This jaunt cost us around $1,100, including gas, ferry tolls, food, museum admissions, and hotel rooms.  We weren't watching our pennies, and didn't skimp on gourmet dining and libations.  We could have reduced the costs significantly by being a little bit more budget conscious, and by choosing one of Walla Walla's many less expensive lodging options, which are listed below.  

More Walla Walla weblinks: Official Walla Walla Tourism Site, History and Cultural Attractions, Lodging Alternatives, Walla Walla Downtown Walk Brochure.

Ten Travel-Inspired Gift Ideas for Grads (or The Traveling Dad)

With graduation and Fathers Day just around the corner, here are some great gift ideas for the grad or dad in your life with a healthy sense of wanderlust.

B&R's Exchange 26
Duffle ($160)

Luggage - Briggs & Riley's BRX Exchange 26 Duffle ($160), recipient of a 2010 National Geographic Gear of the Year award, is a functional addition to any luggage kit. Two-bags-in-one, it converts easily to a backpack for hands-free carrying. Soft sides and compression straps make it easily stowable on even the smallest airplane, bus or taxi, and a zip expansion provides 3 inches of additional packing space.

Eagle Creek's No Matter What™ Duffles ($65-$95) are made from e Series 100% recyclable fabrics and come in a variety of sizes.  They pack down small in an accompanying re-usable stuff pouch, so you can add them to your suitcase for extra stowage on the return trip.  The small duffle ($65) can be used as a carry-on.

Widemouth Carry On  by
Hummingbird ($74.95)

Very adventurous travelers might prefer Hummingbird's Widemouth Carry On Duffle ($74.95), which is waterproof, durable and equipped with D-rings for lashing to the top of a car, bus or pick up truck.  And yes, it is carry-on size.

SALE - We also carry wheeled luggage in a variety of makes and sizes.  Discontinued models from Briggs & Riley's Transcend™ line remain on sale -- 25% off until June 1 while supplies last.  Eagle Creek's Hovercraft™bags are also on sale -- 25% off until June 26th.

Packing Essentials - Help your traveler pack small with travel compression sacs from Eagle Creek or Travelon. Prices vary.  Just insert puffy clothing items into the bag, press out any extra air through the one way valve, and close leaving more space in your suitcase for other essentials.

Eagle Creek's Pack It™
Folder 18 ($27.50)

Eagle Creek's Pack-It™ System will revolutionize the way your dad or grad packs.  He or she can choose from a wide selection of folders, cubes, sacs and gear organizers to keep clothing and other personal items better organized and with fewer wrinkles.  Click here to learn more.

We also carry a large selection of toiletry kits from Eagle Creek, Rick Steves and Piel leather goods.  Prices vary.

Go Toobs ($6.50 - $8.95)

And speaking of toiletries, Go Toobs come in three sizes and offer a great (and TSA-approved) way to carry lotions and gels on board an airplane.  Made of food-grade plastic, they can also be used on camping trips to stow sticky, gooey foodstuffs like peanut butter and jelly.

Security Essentials - We carry money belts, neck pouches and other under-clothing items to help your dad or grad comfortably and safely stash his or her passport and other valuables while on the road.  Click here to learn more about how to carry money and important documents while traveling.

Eagle Creek's Leg Stash ($16)

Local blog Inside Bainbridge also recommends slash-proof Pacsafe™ anti-theft bags in a recent posting on graduation gift ideas from local stores.

Finally, keep your grad/dad safe from RFID theft with protective sleeves and/or a wallet for passport or credit cards.  Prices vary.


Cocoon® travel sheets - These roomy travel sheets ($24-$65) come in a range of fabrics, including a new, lightweight microfiber ($24).  They can be used alone or as extra insulation for your sleeping bag.  Hostels often charge extra for linens so this gift would be a money-saver as well.  These sheets don't repel bedbugs, but they are easily washable so your grad or dad can avoid taking any unwanted hitchhikers to their next destination.

Voyager Towels ($12.95-$27.95)

Travel towels - Voyager™ travel towels from Hummingbird ($12.95-$27.95) are ultra-absorbent, rapid-drying, machine-washable and very packable.  Your grad can use them at the beach, in the car, bathroom, kitchen, or at their favorite campsite.  The possibilities are endless. 

Gap Year Guide
from Lonely Planet

Travel Planning Books - Our book room is filled with great travel resources and travel-inspired literature, including maps, country guides and these general travel books listed on our website. Like a good atlas, these books will provide your favorite dad/grad with a lifetime of trip ideas.

We also carry books written specifically for the budding adventurer.  For example,  The Big Trip: Your Ultimate Guide to Gap Years and Overseas Adventures  (Lonely Planet, 2011, $19.99) is a one-stop planning guide for the post-graduation (or mid-life!) adventure.  Lonely Planet's Volunteer: A Traveller's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World (Lonely Planet 2010, $19.99) is packed with invaluable information and full-color inspiration to plan a short- or long-term volunteer experience anywhere in the world.

Dad might enjoy the self-serving gift of Frommer's 500 Places to Take your Kids Before the Grow Up, (2009, $19.99), or, if he is more inclined toward adventuring solo, you might try A Year of Adventures: A Guide to the World's Most Exciting Experiences from Lonely Planet (2010, $19.99).

World Map Desk & Mousepad ($14.95)

Desk Map/Mouse Pad - Your globe-trotter can have the world at a glance with a world map desk/giant mouse pad from Hema ($14.95), a great addition to any student or work desk or trip-planning table.

Hummingbird E reader cases

E-reader & Laptop cases - At prices ranging from $19.95 to $49.95, Hummingbird E-Cases™ and E-reader™ cases come in a wide range of sizes and colors and provide protection from the elements (sand, dust, water) for a broad range of digital essentials.  The Hummingbird Travel Pouch™ ($14.95) makes a great waterproof carrier for passports and other small travel essentials.

We also carry a wide selection of laptop cases and backpacks in leather, coated nylon, neoprene and other fabrics, a great gift for traveler and commuter alike.

Travel Adapters/Current Converters -  Does your recipient already have an overseas destination in mind?  Help him or her stay plugged in with plug adaptors and/or a power converter.  Ask our helpful staff for assistance in choosing the right tools to keep your traveler charged up and connected.

Gift Certificates - And if you just can't decide what your wandering loved one might want or need, The Traveler also sells gift certificates for any amount.

Happy Graduation,  Happy Fathers Day 

 & Happy Travels! 

Bollywood Barnburner on Bainbridge

Last Saturday night marked the eighth annual St. Cecilia's fashion show and silent auction on Bainbridge Island.  There was an international theme to this year's fundraiser for St. Cecilia's Catholic School, which was called "Bainbridge to Bollywood" and The Traveler was there.  

Traveler staffer Timmie Chandler, who attended the event with her husband Rick, takes it from here...

"This event is awesome - easily the biggest and best party on Bainbridge, hands down. The decorations alone are worth the ticket price. Even the Ladies Room was decorated with candles, little white lights, saris, and gauze bunting. 

Staff member Barbara Rodgers
struts the catwalk in a UbU raincoat and sporting an
Ogon Micro-bombata I-pad case

"The organizers of this event have their hands full with the sheer magnitude - and they do an impeccable job.  No stone was left unturned to assure a successful event and happy party peeps.  Three bars sprawled across St. Cecilia's campus.  There was also a live Indian band, a special dance performance from a Poulsbo dance studio, fantastic Indian food from Spice Route, tunes from DJ Brant Butte, and Bollywood videos on the screens.  Not even the rain dampened spirits. In fact, people seemed to party hearty and barely notice the weather! 

Live Music

"The Runway Show was so much fun! We were the second store to send our models out on the runway, right after Sweet Deal.  The merchants really stepped up to the plate with their presentations, and all the models did justice on their behalf."

Jonathon Aziz modeling

Exofficio and Royal Robbins

 clothing, Cocoon sunglasses & a Tilley hat

Many thanks to Traveler models Jonathon Aziz, Eric Kummerow, Kerry Leach, Cindy Pierce, Alex Ung and our very own Barbara Rodgers.

Kudos also go out to staff member Pam Christiansen for recruiting volunteers and putting together some fabulous outfits.  And a special thanks goes to Timmie and Rick Chandler for the pictures!

Dancers from The Dance Within