Craig

We leave on Tuesday - renting a car, driving to JFK, and flying to Delhi via Frankfort on Lufthansa. 2 nights in Delhi, then a short flight to Paro, Bhutan. 11 nights in Bhutan, 5 stops(!) - lots of packing and unpacking, but 2 three-night stays, including time in the Bumthang valley to see 2 festivals. Then on to Bangkok for just one night, meeting up with Pook for dinner at Gaggan. Returning home via Beijing on Thai, and then on to Washington Dulles and Hartford on United - literally traveling around the world, all in business class, of course...

I have not labeled this thread a trip report, although I will try to post from time to time with updates. Internet access in Bhutan is sketchy. Our "official" trip report will be posted when I get home and have collected my thoughts. If Andy (Gpanda) were still around, he'd remind me that I have 2 weeks after returning until the penalties kick in...

Facebook poses another dilemma - I can post photos as I go, especially if I choose to take them with my cell. But I do prefer Smugmug, not only for its clean format and ease of downloading but also for a much better ability to arrange my photos in the order that I prefer. In addition to my cell, Jeane and I will have plenty of fire power as far as cameras are concerned. So it is likely the best photos will not be posted until we return. I will include a link to them in my trip report as I have in the past.

I'll try to answer questions as we go along knowing that for many on this board, this is unexplored territory. Lastly, thanks to Robbie (Robbietravels) for all her help and advice on Bhutan. On her recommendation, we are using Kencho of Snow White Tours who has been exemplary so far.

Kathie

Have a wonderful time, Craig and Jeane! You know I'm looking forward to your report.

Marija

Safe journey. Looking forward to reading about it.

rhkkmk

you are not fully packed as i have not been put in your travel luggage.. is there a weight limit?

have a great time. we will of course be waiting for the full in depth report..

we are off to Xian this PM.

Elainee

fyi...no disgrace to take a horse up the mountain to Tiger's Nest. Of course, good exercise to do it all on foot. It seemed to me that everything we saw in Bhutan was uphill. But well worth it. The flight from Kathmandu was the greatest flight of my life. The landing in Paro the most exciting. I believe that from Delhi you will get lots of photo ops from the plane.

Florida1

Have a great time, Craig and Jeane! I do look forward to reading your trip report. We really enjoyed meeting you in Boston!

simpsonc510

Sorry that your one night in Bangkok does not happen during my trip there. I'm leaving tomorrow from OHare for BKK. I'll be there almost 2 weeks.

Looking forward to your report. And great job arranging that around-the-world trip in business class, Craig!!! Good on you!

hawaiiantraveler

Bon voyage Craig and Jeane!!
Wishing you a safe journey and looking forward to another one of your stellar trip reports.

Aloha!

filmwill

Good trip C&J. Enjoy Bhutan!

BTW, if it's of any interest, you actually can re-arrange photos within Facebook. If you just click to Edit an Album, you can drop and drag photos however you see fit. But I am a fan of SmugMug too, so I get the preference.

Safe journeys and keep us all posted!

kmkrnn

Enjoy. Looking forward to many fabulous pictures upon your return. Off to Xian today.

Hanuman

Bon Voyage Craig and Jeane. C U in BKK!

lcuy

Have a fabulous time!

Smeagol

Have a fabulous time, can't wait to hear all, it's on my wish list too!

tripplanner001

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip. I look forward to hearing about your journey.

Femi

Bhutan is on my list, so I'll be looking forward to hearing more. Bon Voyage!

AskOksena

Warm greetings to you, Craig and Jeane, from a lovely Singapore evening. Sounds like another fine adventure. Perhaps next year, will be able to entice you into spending time (and money) in our fine home of Singapore. (And, should you choose SIN next year, I just know the two of you will savour flying SQ 21/22, those serene all business class non-stops, EWR-SIN. Sweet, efficient rides with great crews.)

Looking forward to tales from your one night in Bangkok. Re BKK lodging, the Four Seasons was as fine as ever ~ 12 days back for meetings. Another truly unique place I (we) recently enjoyed is The Siam; very special riverside retreat. At present, I'm not scheduled to return to Bangkok for additional meetings until Loi Krathong week (by design; love that evening celebration down by the river with the loved one).

Have fun and best to you and all from Singapore,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

crosscheck

Bon Voyage - We just did the RTW thing as well...epic, helps slightly with jet lag and you actually gain a day for good!

FromDC

Travel safely, looking forward to your report. Be careful about those data charges if you are posting photos from abroad! We've gotten burned a few times even when we thought we were only using WiFi

Craig

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes...

rhk - sorry, there is no room for you in our luggage

Elainee - we may well take the horses to Tigers' Nest - I have heard that it is slower than the hiking, though

AO - we are staying at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong which is within walking distance of Gaggan

FromDC - on our smart phones we will turn data roaming off to avoid the charges

Elainee

The horses were not fast, but faster than slow hikers. They take you to the valley where the many, many steps begin. I know that going all the way down and up and then down and up all those steps was too much for me, plus going all the way back down the hill/mountain I had done by horseback was just not worth it for me. My family did it and tho one kid had joined me on horseback.
Do bring some snacks to Bhutan. The food is simple, lots of rice. We used the snacks during the long car rides and sometimes to add to lunches.