shangri-la

Find out all about Punakha River Lodge, &Beyond’s new home-away-from-home in the kingdom of Bhutan. &Beyond Asia Managing Director Suhail Gupta talks about the challenges encountered and overcome during the building of the lodge. Renowned travel writer Gisela Williams shares warm and poignant memories from her first trip to Bhutan and delves deeper into the country’s unusual model of tourism. &Beyond Sales & Touring COO Ryan Powell describes the emotions of being one of the first visitors to Punakha River Lodge and expands on how &Beyond plans to make a difference in local communities. 

Chapter 7: 2002 to 2005!  The Wraith...s!  This is our biggest story time episode ever! It's so big, we had to call in some help, so we asked our friend Veronica (VRON) to join us!. We're talking Shangri-La, the Diamonds Raining tour, Zug Izland, Hell's Pit, and so much more! --And hey, if you want to interact with us, send us messages, follow us, support us, or join our community, check out the links on our website: https://www.icpwwe.com/

The ultimate Earth Day observation:  following is a conversation with a modern day Charles Darwin, biologist, herpetologist, Adjunct Professor of Biological Science at Florida State University Dr. Bruce Means. We discuss a March 2021 expedition in which Means and writer/climber Mark Synnott traveled to a virtual Shangri-la in the deep, mysterious and ever dangerous jungles of Guyana to study an unclimbed tapui, where new species were discovered. 

American climber Alex Honnold is featured in the National Geographic film and article, both released in April 2022.

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Myanmar is never too far from making news headlines. It is a country that has endured much turmoil in its history, especially during World War II. More recently there was the UN reports for human right violations under military rule, but in 2010, a civilian government was installed, and then shortly afterwards it was approachable in my humble opinion.
On the good side, it is a country of priceless treasures.
2014 came about. 
After careful planning, I took the trip. This came to a grinding halt at immigration,  where I was refused entry and put inside a "Holding Room" before taking the last flight out of town.
There were a few anxious moments, but I lived to tell the story.
It cost me $ 400 for a non-refundable hotel bill, but I returned in 2015 for a more successful trip.
Advice - do not argue with immigration officers in Myanmar.

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I went there twice, but the first time they would not let me in. Managed to get on the last flight out of town. 
One year later was the second attempt, however successful this time. A poor country with riches beyond belief. Shwedagon and Botataung Pagodas are both priceless and breathtaking in appearance. 
Areas of British colonialism such as Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Strand Hotel made me think I was back in the old country for a moment. In fact, there are pockets of Brits still living there.
Food markets with unrecognizable meat and veggies. A band playing the Heart song "Alone" to me as I sat in a club by myself while being teased by flirtatious local girls. Feelings of being kidnapped by a taxi driver. Walking between pubs and getting lost at night. Guard dogs roaming the streets.
Apart from that, just a normal type of trip you could say.

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A long awaited Bucket List item was finally fulfilled. A long trip via Shanghai (incl. a ride on the world's fastest train) and Chengdu (incl. a trip to the Panda Rehabilitation Center) in China.
Tibetan culture is unlike any other in the World. Going back in time to a region that is steeped in religion and spirituality with iconic temples and palaces is an truly epic adventure. 
Potala Palace, The Dalai Lama's residence before the uprising in 1959 was worth the trip by itself, but there is so much more to see and enjoy.
Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery,  Drepung Monastery, Debating Monks, Stir Fried Yak, my accommodation of the House of Shambhala, Smoldering Juniper, Himalayan Mountains, and the list goes on. Memories are precious.
There's a process in getting permits and traveling there, but the information is here in this broadcast.
If you have one trip left in you, this could be it.
  

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