{"id":260,"date":"2016-08-11T23:26:35","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T23:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/?p=260"},"modified":"2017-02-23T18:50:42","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T18:50:42","slug":"head-to-the-clouds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/?p=260","title":{"rendered":"Head to the Clouds"},"content":{"rendered":"

I smile each time I open the mailbox and spot the National Geographic Expeditions magazine surrounded by unwanted bills and junk mail. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A particular featured location lured me in – Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest Temple). \u00a0One of the oldest private monasteries in the country of Bhutan which was constructed into the side of a sheer cliff. \u00a0This mystical image captured my attention every time I gaze upon the article. \u00a0I imagine walking beneath the cascading, colorful prayer flags and marveling at the beauty it exudes, nestled between folds of the Himalayan Mountains with plant life peeking through cracks and crevices. \u00a0I tell EVERYONE\u2026this is a voyage I must make. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This fantasy became a reality on my 40<\/span>th<\/span> birthday. \u00a0My compassionate and selfless husband booked an unexpected trip for me to visit this kingdom in the clouds. \u00a0After years of having my head in the clouds, he felt it was time for me to see this holy site.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have never been deficient in the dream category. \u00a0In my reality, dreams, often like travel, take me away to unknown places. \u00a0Being alone, and lost in my thoughts allows me to be free. \u00a0When I travel, I break free from the confinement of my mundane everyday activities.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, off I went on my adventure. \u00a0Flying into the Paro Airport, which is nestled among the steep mountains of the Himalayas, I was terrified as our pilot took multiple attempts to land our plane. \u00a0Eventually, a change in the atmosphere, allowed us to land. \u00a0I stayed at Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Paro, one of the unique lodges of the world. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the morning, I met my guide Namgay Tshering of ABC Tours and Treks. \u00a0As much as I enjoy being alone, you cannot travel Bhutan without a local guide. \u00a0Oddly, his presence and aura did not diminish my sense of freedom. \u00a0In fact, his spirituality was refreshing and welcoming. \u00a0\u00a0As we started our hike up the mountain, I began to relish each and every step. \u00a0\u00a0Little was spoken between us, yet I sensed he knew something was happening inside me, here in this pious place, where I am taking the hike of my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

I find myself eagerly walking into the unknown. \u00a0\u00a0I mentally detach from apprehension, as the air becomes thinner, my body aches for the summit. \u00a0I focus again on my guide. \u00a0Namgay walks this trail multiple times per week. \u00a0This is motivation for me to continue. \u00a0\u00a0A tea break at the half way mark gave me the nourishment needed to make the final approach to the monastery. \u00a0After an additional climb that took us over a bridge, and across a waterfall with a 200 foot drop, I could see the mystic wonder in front of me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiger\u2019s Nest Monastery was still blanketed in a low-hanging cloud, adding an aura of heaven to this place.<\/span> \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>To arrive was empowering and euphoric, I was no longer gazing at a glossy picture but positioned right where I had hoped to be – wrapped in prayer flags and feeling the energy of the land and proud of my achievement. \u00a0I stood in my dream turned reality. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We walked into one temple, and witnessed the offerings to the deities. \u00a0Many were wishing for their freedom, yet there I was, thanking the same gods and goddesses, for mine at this moment. \u00a0There was deep inner contentment, as I inhaled the fresh and cool mountain air. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we readied for the trek down, the fog lifted revealing the Paro Valley 3,000 feet below. \u00a0I reassured my fellow adventurers slowly making their way, either on mules or with walking sticks through the switchbacks. \u00a0The descent brought me magnificent and unforgettable views that were hidden on my way up. \u00a0I found the rhododendrons, pine trees, and wildflowers to be much more vibrant with oxygen\u2026mine! \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we continued to descend, I was able to learn more about my guide. \u00a0Namgay\u2019s knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt and his black dress shoes looked uncomfortable to me. \u00a0\u00a0I was thankful to be exempt from the traditional dress rule in Bhutan, a Kira for women and its equivalent for men, the Gho. \u00a0My tennis shoes and yoga pants felt like a baby\u2019s blanket. \u00a0Namgay indicated the national dress code must be worn by any Bhutanese if he or she is visiting offices, temples and any important occasion or celebration. \u00a0I thought about what he said\u2026important occasion or celebration. \u00a0This was, for me. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I celebrated my freedom to travel, the occasion to self-reflect, and the traditions of the Bhutanese. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Published at We Said GO Travel\u00a0http:\/\/wesaidgotravel.com\/award\/head-to-the-cloudsdare-to-dream-bhutan\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I smile each time I open the mailbox and spot the National Geographic Expeditions magazine surrounded by unwanted bills and junk mail. \u00a0 A particular featured location lured me in – Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest Temple). \u00a0One of the oldest private monasteries in the country of Bhutan which was constructed into the side of a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,5,6,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-empowerment","category-inspire","category-self","category-travel","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=260"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":318,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions\/318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prolificpreambles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}