Expedition Bhutan

Who says the dollar isn't strong? Dana and I arrived in Paro, the only city in Bhutan with an airport (there aren't any railways or domestic flights) and promptly met the guide, cook, cook's assistant, and horseman who would be guiding us and seven mules on a 6-day trek through the mountains.

It can be a little embarassing having so many people looking after you, doing everything from fixing five-course meals to digging the hole that you...use. But trust me, you get used to it. We hiked from Paro to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, through unseasonably cold and snowy weather, eating vegetarian food the entire time because it was an "auspicious month", which means that no meat was sold in Bhutan's stores.

When we got to Thimphu, we promptly fired our guide for being completely incompetent and took on a new guide, Tashi, who was encyclopedic in his knowledge of the history and culture of Bhutan, which basically involves knowing Mayahana Buddhism inside out. We spent our last five days touring dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries, meeting young monks, and learning more than we could ever want about this tiny Himalayan kingdom.

By the end of our two weeks, Dana was mocking me for recognizing the "eight manifestations" of the Guru Rinpoche, the 12 stories of Buddha's life, and the difference between sacred mandalas.

"You're a dork, dude, a dork. That's the only word for it," were her words to me on the tarmac as we boarded our flight back to Bangkok.

We've posted some photos on the right.