travel souvenirs — part 6

hand-painted mandala (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

This mandala is now framed and hanging on the wall in our home. Every time we see this intricate work of art, it reminds us of our wonderful nine-night tour of Bhutan, the Amankora Journey. Circular in design, mandalas are used in Hindu and Buddhist meditation. The artist painted, entirely in gold leaf, the words of a devotional text contained in fifteen concentric circles.

Bhutanese art is incredibly detailed. We met another artist, pictured below, who was kneeling on the floor, bent over the piece he was working on. His creation was accomplished by dropping small amounts of colored powders onto an outline, filling in his design. Literally backbreaking work, its most striking feature is the impermanence of the piece. Never intended to grace the wall of a museum or a home, the colored powders would soon scatter to the wind.

Why devote such time and care to something that will disappear in the wind? Your answer will come in the very act of contemplating that question.

intricate art design (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

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copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Amankora Gangtey | Bhutan

Breakfast at Gangtey, overlooking the valley, (c) David Ourisman 2014, all rights reserved

We've now stayed at four of the five Amankora resorts in the course of the Amankora Journey. We're checking out of Bumthang this morning and flying to Paro, a short 35 minute flight. But my mind keeps going back to our stay in Gangtey.

Gangtey is the most remote but also the most beautiful of any of the five valleys. The picture above captures something of the exceptional experience awaiting you there. Taken around 8:30 a.m., this couple is enjoying their breakfast al fresco, sitting outside looking south down the valley floor as their waiter takes their requests from the abundant choices on the breakfast menu.

Can you picture yourself sitting here? Contact me about planning your own Amankora Journey!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Amankora Journey | classroom in Gangtey

Classroom in Gangtey (c) 2014 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

We are in the midst of our two night stay at the Amankora in Gangtey, Bhutan, and what a beautiful place this is. Amankora overlooks what is perhaps the most picturesque valley on the Amankora Journey. But beyond the sheer natural beauty, I most appreciated the privilege of experiencing a small slice of real life in this remote mountain village.

Our first stop this morning was at a small elementary school in the valley. Children were still arriving at school (some walk hours a day to go to school) when we got there, but soon everyone assembled in front of the flagpole for morning assembly. One student gave a "speech" to the assembly (in English - his chosen topic was "politician"), another student helped raise the flag, and the entire assembly sang the national anthem and spent a few minutes in silent meditation.

Then we got to spend a few minutes in a classroom where we could meet the children and ask them some questions. What is your favorite food? "Rice" was the most popular answer, but we also heard another child say "apples." (Bhutan blessedly does not have a single McDonald's or KFC!)

Afterwards, we enjoyed a hike through some gorgeous nature...

walking under a beautiful forest canopy

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Amankora Journey | Bhutan

two monks at Semtokha Dzong, Thimphu (c) 2014 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Is Bhutan on your bucket list? Here are three reasons why you should consider planning a vacation here.

1. Bhutan is an unspoiled tourist destination. I was struck by my visit this morning to the imposing Punakha Dzong by the lack of crowds. Truly a major spiritual destination, the temple's main worship space was adorned with statues of the Buddha and works of art depicting the story of his Enlightenment ...  but there were very few tourists, and what a difference that makes. If you've ever stood in the Sistine Chapel, disconcerted by the crowds jammed into that historic space, you'll know exactly what I mean.
2. Bhutan is a land of great natural beauty... My first impression after leaving the airport was the clarity of the mountain air. Blue skies with white puffy clouds, green river valleys running through craggy mountains peaks decorated, terraced rice paddies and more, it's a place that nurtures the soul.
3. Bhutan is a place of deep spirituality. If you come, you will learn of its Buddhist traditions and appreciate the hospitality of its people.

Experiencing the culture of a different land widens our own horizons and deepens our appreciation of the human community. We may call different places home and walk different paths, but at the heart of everything, we are members of one human family and share common hopes and fears on our earthly pilgrimage.

The Amankora Journey is the ultimate way to experience Bhutan. We will be staying at all five Amankora resorts, each located in a different mountain valley ... and experiencing Aman's unique brand of serene luxury.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Bhutan | Amankora journey

This is the national emblem of Bhutan - the destination of my next trip. Be watching here over the next few weeks to read about and see some of the scenery and culture of Bhutan.

After three days in Bangkok, we fly to Paro to begin our nine-day Amankora Journey.
   

The map above shows the locations of the five lodges in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang (from west to east). We will be spending one night in Thimphu and two each in the other lodges.

Be watching for much more news from our trip. We will spend our first three nights at the FS Bangkok (with site inspections of the St. Regis and The Siam) before flying to Paro. On our return to Bangkok, we will spend one night at Four Seasons Tented Camp (I'm especially looking forward to reporting back about this fabled resort). One final night at the newly renovated Peninsula Hong Kong (and sampling their Rolls Royce transfers) before heading back to San Francisco.

Lots of photos and site inspections to follow… keep watching this blog!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Bhutan | the Amankora Journey

click the map to see full-sized

Bhutan beckons this October! We will be experiencing the Amankora Journey (along with several days in Bangkok at the beginning and an overnight there and in Hong Kong at the end). Don't have any idea of what to expect, except for some gorgeous scenery and an amazing 11 night cultural immersion in one of the world's most remote and isolated countries.

Where is Bhutan? Look at the northwest corner of the map attached above, and you'll see Bhutan to the north of Bangladesh, some 1800 miles northwest of Bangkok. I've been advised to get window seats on the left side of the aircraft (Druk Air flies the route) for spectacular views of Mount Everest.

And once we get there? One of the intriguing things about Bhutan is their unconventional way of measuring national prosperity. Eschewing traditional economic criteria (GNP), the nation has a culture that values Gross National Happiness. Different, but intriguing! Something I'll contemplate over the next seven months.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.