Paradise in the Maldives

 Another paradise found!  I’m captive on a very small island in the Indian Ocean, and that’s an excellent thing.  The Le Meridien resort where I’m staying is all there is on an island a little over a half-mile long and about 22 acres in total.  Everyone arrives by float plane, a 30-minute hop from the capital city of Male.  That’s the start of the fun.  And once on island, most people walk or golf cart shuttle to different venues, but I’m getting around on a fat tire bike.

My ‘villa’ is a very modern take on an over-the-water hut, with its own private deck and ladder to the water, and even a little swimming pool.  When the sun comes out it’s super-saturated turquoise color everywhere you look, framed against white sand and deep blue sky.  And intermittent clouds and rain have been magical, too. There’s drama this close to the equator.

The SCUBA diving has been some of the best I’ve experienced anywhere in the world.  I couldn’t get enough, so I did four dives in two days.  No need for wet suits, with water temps in the mid 80s.  The fish are gorgeous and plentiful, and we were totally surrounded at times by big schools.  My favorites, called ‘Sweet Lips’, are in a photo here captured by one of my dive guides.  He also got a shot of me, and we found Nemo, too, or at least his cousin.  Lots of beautiful coral as well, including some that is the bright orange color of Cheetos.  The crew and guides were all Maldivians, and my dive mates were a young couple from Russia, and another one from Italy.  I actually haven’t met another American here.  It is, after all, a long way from home.

Buddhists in Bhutan and Muslims here believe in their own versions of paradise.  I think that the ocean is mine.

Happy (Thai) New Year!

 It’s the New Years holiday in Thailand, and how do they celebrate?  With good-natured water fights on the street.  Better not go out if you’re not prepared to get wet.  But in 97 degree heat, it’s welcome relief. There was even fun at the hotel pool between guests and bartenders.

Improbable, Beautiful, Spiritual Bhutan

 The company Backroads always exceeds my expectations.  They did it again, and so did the Kingdom of Bhutan. It now ranks in the top tier of my favorite travel destinations. The beauty and spirituality of the majestic Himalayan Mountains and its people is what attracted me to Bhutan.  And you feel all of that at every turn.

It’s so improbable that a nation of just 800,000 people with territory the size of Switzerland has been able to maintain its independence, heritage and spirit.  And all while sharing borders with India and China, two of the world’s most populous superpowers.  Bhutan’s success, I think, stems from its unwavering commitment to the principles of Buddhism, and to prioritizing happiness.  In eight days here I learned so much more about this loving, peaceful religion.  And I was most happy, too!

The establishment of a constitutional monarchy coincided with the crowning of a then 28-year-old king in 2008.  He is trusted and beloved today, and he guides an enlightened and measured approach to tourism and the harnessing of natural resources.  Foreign visitors are allowed by controlled permit only, and revenue from the export of hydroelectric power has made its economy one of the fastest growing in the world.

The literal high point of our time in Bhutan came fittingly at the end.  Our most strenuous hike of the trip took us over steep trails and stone steps to the iconic Tigers Nest temple complex.  Precariously perched on a stone cliff at 10,000+ feet, it’s a truly awesome sight. And Its existence seems so improbable, too!

Beautiful People

The people of Bhutan have ready smiles, and are happy to have their picture taken.  They’re so beautiful, peaceful and happy.  After all, the government makes happiness a priority, measuring ‘Gross National Happiness’ rather than ‘Gross National Product’.

Sending Prayers

It’s shoes and hats off; long sleeves and pants, and no photos when we go inside temples and monasteries.  So I have no pictures to show.  But some of our richest experiences have been there, seeing the colorful and intricate interiors, and altars laden with offerings of food.  And it’s particularly peaceful and soothing hearing the scarlet-robed monks and nuns chanting in unison.  The soft hum of their voices is a bit like the sound of a beehive, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

Outside of these sites we see symbols of Buddhism everywhere.  But my favorites are the prayer flags and prayer wheels that send prayers of goodwill out into the universe.  A basic tenet of the religion is to focus outward, and think of others.  And that’s something that really resounds with me.

Majesty, Beauty and Spirituality!

The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  There’s all of that here, for sure.  And the traditional architecture of Bhutan is another big wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan kingdom are both known for their peacefulness.  And I’m definitely feeling it at these religious sites and on the trails.

I always make great new friends on these trips, and I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”!  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  And they remembered her talking about it.  Yes, it’s a small, small world. 

I al majesty The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!   of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!   as The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world The majesty of its The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!   mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!   the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!  The majesty of its mountains and the beauty of its people is what drew me to Bhutan, as well as the spirituality of its Buddhist culture.  And the architecture is another wow, with its whitewashed walls, sloping roofs, arched windows and intricate carved and painted detail.

Temples and monasteries perch on the sides and tops of mountains seemingly everywhere you look, and we’re hiking to and between them every day.  Buddhism and this Himalayan Kingdom both are known for their peacefulness.  At these religious sites and on the trails, I’m definitely feeling it.

I always make great new friends on these trips, but I have two stand-outs this time in Tanya and Brad.  I introduced myself as Glenn from Newport Beach, and Tanya said “The Painted Turtle”.  Turns out they’re the parents of Katie, who was part of a group of camp counselors I hosted for some beach fun between summer sessions in 2017.  Yes, it’s a small, small world!