Momentum and an Exceptional Addition to our Team

Wow, I’ve been remiss in sharing as I’ve been ensconced in securing multiple areas surrounding our Expedition. The metaphor we’ve enjoyed using on Team conference calls is the proverbial pushing of the ball—uphill. For months we’ve been diligently rolling the ball upward via countless emails, phone calls, relationships developed, details gathered. As it climbs it gathers information needed for our journey. A couple weeks ago the ball hit the top of the huge hill and is now finding momentum rolling down the other side—the journey upward well worth the effort. Nice.

One key exercise has been the learning and refining of our diplomatic relations with our contacts in Bhutan. They are gracious and generous people but as with any different culture we are learning the subtle language of how they communicate and interact (versus our hyper-speed American ways). This has been incredibly enriching as well as gotten us about 90% to finalizing our Expedition route. As I’ve said may times prior, one doesn’t just throw on your backpack, go to Bhutan and do what one pleases. There are guidelines to work within and we are learning the nuances of that process.

Category: Adventure

(an excellent) Holding Pattern

I wanted to check in with a quick update. With the royal wedding changing up our expedition dates a bit, the president of BOC reviewing our proposed route for approval, and continued conversations with film staff, we have been in a slight holding pattern with Expedition Bhutan prep. We’ve been quite busy in our holding pattern but, holding none the less. One of the things I am continually an excellently reminded of is that not every nations culture embodies the blind, frenetic, passionate, results driven work habits—of Americans. So it is important for us to calmly wait—especially when respecting working relationships—when what we really want is to keep driving forward at our crazy pace. An excellent reminder. That said, we [...]

Category: Adventure

DATE CHANGE! – Partner with Expedition Bhutan

While in the process of finalizing our route and itinerary we’ve been informed that in mid October—at exactly the time we had planned the start of our Expedition—the King of Bhutan will wed Jetsun Pema. Due to this significant occasion and the 2-week celebration that will ensue, we have pushed our Expedition start date out to November 1. To partner with our expedition—see info below including new start dates for joining our Team in Bhutan. For more information on Expedition Bhutan go to www.expeditionbhutan.com and join us on Facebook. ______________ You’re invited! Support Expedition  Bhutan and  Join  our  Team  on  an  Unprecedented  Journey… There has never been and likely will never again be, a journey like Expedition Bhutan. As we adventure on foot, [...]

Category: Adventure

Partner with Expedition Bhutan – Join Us!

You’re invited! Support Expedition  Bhutan and  Join  our  Team  on  an  Unprecedented  Journey… There has never been and likely will never again be, a journey like Expedition Bhutan. As we adventure on foot, mountain bike and raft, through the heart and soul of this unique country of Bhutan, we’ll reflect light on their concept of Gross National Happiness via the following questions: What is it? What are its implications for the people of Bhutan? What, if any, are its implications for the rest of us at a time when the world so desperately seeks peace, satisfaction and Happiness? As a small 4-person expedition team we hope to serve as stewards of Bhutan, its people, culture, and concepts. And as a [...]

Category: Adventure

It Takes a (really cool) Small Village…

Like any intriguing and epic project, our cast of characters for Expedition Bhutan has changed up and grown, at once. And we’re not done expanding as of yet. Melina Lillios will be joining on the front end of our Expedition to support the folks who will be joining our expedition as support! Thanks Melina – your expertise and help in country is invaluable. James Fitzgerald, with Bhutan Ventures, has been working with Expedition Bhutan since before it was Expedition Bhutan. In fact he is the reason that I was able to germinate this seed of an idea to begin with! James does business in Bhutan and introduced me to the dignitaries there that we are partnering with for this project. [...]

Category: Adventure

The Planning Hunt Fix

There is a small part of me that wishes I could just show up to an extended expedition or event and just do it. Forget the reading, internet searching, extensive phone calls, team collaborating, info gathering, gear reviewing, and training and just touch down in some foreign land and have at it. But besides the fact that Bhutan doesn’t allow foreigners to do this sort of spontaneous traipsing about their country, the bigger part of me fully savors the planning hunt. I am a planner and one of the most curious people I know. So the act of collecting newinformation about all kinds of topics and places that I find fascinating, repeatedly satisfies my inquisitive nature. Thus far and without [...]

Category: Adventure