Through Passes and Time. Bumthang Bhutan

Day 4 of our ride began with an unexpected delight. Over breakfast, just as everyone was preparing for the long ride ahead, I brought out a bottle of Seeni Sambol—that bold, fiery essence of Sri Lanka. The surprise lit up their faces, and soon it was being heaped generously onto eggs and toast. In that…

The Last Shangri-La and Its Sacred Climb. Paro Bhutan

There are airport landings—and then there’s Paro. Nestled in a narrow valley flanked by towering Himalayan ridges, Paro International Airport is one of the most dangerous and visually spectacular runways in the world. Only eight specially trained pilots are certified to land here, navigating between 5,500-meter peaks using only visual guidance. No autopilot. No instrument landing system. Just raw skill…