Tibet/2008

I'd always dreamed of taking the dramatic flight over the icy Himalayas to see
the spectacular high Tibetan plateau,and Lhasa, spiritual home of the Dalai
Lama. But seeing the Potola Palace, the symbol of Tibetan Buddhism, eclipsed
even the breathtaking scenery. We took the kora around the Jokhang, Tibet's
spiritual center, and spent time in the Dalai Lama's summer palace. Seeing
the monks engaged in their daily lives at Ganden and Samye monasteries
was a highlight of the journey.

Bhutan

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a charming and magical medieval kingdom. This 'last Shangri-La', Paradise, Eden, is hidden deep in the Himalayan Mountains. Flying into Paro, we saw a massive fort or dzong rising up out of rice fields, prayer flags fluttering on the hillsides. The vibrant, proud culture, sweet people, and beautiful scenery drew us in. Folklore and mythology permeate this Tibetan Buddhist kingdom. At the Tsechu in Thimpu, exuberant monks dance in masks telling the story of their ancestors and saints.