2009 New Years in Tokyo

2009 New Year's Day in TokyoCold with Clear Skies The New Year Holiday is one of the most important holidays in Japan.  Prior to the Meiji Restoration, New Year's Day was celebrated according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  However, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Restoration so Japan is the only Buddhist/Asian countryContinue reading “2009 New Years in Tokyo”

Christmas in Boulder – December 2008

December 20-29, 2008Boulder, ColoradoVery Cold until the last 2 days where it was a comfortable 40F but Sunny and Bright everyday! I spent Christmas 2008 with my sister and her family in Boulder.  It has been two years since they moved to Boulder from Pacific Palisades and the second time they hosted me for Christmas. Continue reading “Christmas in Boulder – December 2008”

Final Day and Last Thoughts: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan

Day 18Thursday October 23,  2008Leaving Bhutan for BangkokBhutan Temperature:  Glorious. cold with clear skies Hotel: Westin Bangkok The day I dreaded finally came.  It was time to leave Bhutan.  I’m very sad.  I got up at 530am as we need to leave by 630am.   I then went for breakfast and found that it was veryContinue reading “Final Day and Last Thoughts: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan”

Day 17: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan

Day 17Wednesday October 22,  2008Thimphu and  back to Paro,  Bhutan  Bhutan Temperature:  Glorious with clear skies Hotel: Gangtey Palace I woke up early to another glorious but crisp day.  After the usual breakfast of toast (which at the Druk is drama as the toaster is never working properly), roasted tomato and boiled egg, Margot ,Continue reading “Day 17: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan”

Day 16: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan

Day 16Tuesday October 21,  2008Back to Thimphu,  Bhutan Bhutan Temperature:  Glorious with clear skies Hotel: Hotel Druk I woke up early again in Gangtey to the cold crisp air and the silence outside.  I was the first one up in the hotel and there was complete silence.  The valley was covered in mist and wasContinue reading “Day 16: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan”

Day 15: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan

Day 15Monday October 20,  2008Phojikha,  Bhutan Bhutan Temperature:  Glorious with clear skies and crisp airHotel: Hotel Dewachen After a good night sleep and a strange dream where I was a contestant in a reality show, I got up around 545am or so.  I got dressed to take some photos of the gorgeous plains in theContinue reading “Day 15: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan”

Day 14: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan

Day 14Sunday October 19,  2008Bumthang and Phojikha,  Bhutan  Bhutan Temperature:  Glorious with clear skies and crisp airHotel: Hotel Dewachen For some reason even after two shots or ara and sleepy, I had a restless night.  I can’t exactly remember what I dreamt but the soundtrack from the “Way We Were” kept on playing in myContinue reading “Day 14: Travels to a Himalayan Kingdom – Bhutan”