Ferry to Mingun from Mandalay

10km up the Ayeyarwaddy River from the ancient royal capital of Mandalay, is the unfinished Pahtodawgyi Pagoda in Mingun. It would have been the largest in the world if King Bodaw Paya (18th c.) would not have stopped building. The locals call it the largest pile of bricks in the world. This period marks the beginning of conflicts with the British.

Nearby, the Mingun Bell is the largest working bell in the world. Also close by is the beautiful Hsinbyume Pagoda, white with intricate design set amidst the green tropical backdrop. As with all the Buddhist pagodas and temples, all visitors must be barefoot while exploring the expansive, hot and sandy complex.

Golden Rock

Several hours east of Yangon lies a special place of worship. A precarious boulder with a pagoda said to be on a hair relic of Buddha himself. The only way up to the cooler air a few thousand feet above is either walk on the road (no thanks!) or pile into a passenger truck with a huge engine careening around twists and turns over 45 minutes to get to the top.

Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the famous towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century. On the huge complex are 64 stupas where people worship and celebrate significant events including a place for the day of their birth like "Monday Corner".

A deeply religious country, pagodas form the basis of culture and community throughout Myanmar. There is scaffolding on the dome representing continuing beautification as the Burmese people prefer their pagodas and temples to look new. Some buddhas are even adorned with flashing LED lights on the head representing the aura.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) 10,240 ft

About 2,000 ft elevation gain from the trailhead, the hike through pine forest to sacred Tiger's Nest is about 5-6 hours roundtrip with tea or lunch at the teahouse a little less than halfway. Once you have managed the last 700 stone steps along the cliffside and next to a waterfall, all phones, cameras, and backpacks must be stored in lockers outside the monastery to gain entrance. Dating to the 8th century, legend says that Guru Rinpoche flew to this auspicious location on the back of a tigress. The monastery was built in 1692, and partially rebuilt after a fire in 1998 likely caused by butter lamps. Buddhist figures and statues beckon you inside small cavernous rooms with wooden floors, monks chant in the meditative silence, and the sun gently shines into the colorful inner sanctums. Innermost is an outstanding large gold Buddha holding the vase representing Eternity sitting between Guru Rinpoche and a demon slayer god. Quite powerful.

Hiking in Punakha Valley, Bhutan

Gorgeous day hike up terraced rice fields to Khamsum Yueley Chorten, and then over to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. There we met the town's champion boys' football team singing songs of victory with their trophy! The elegant Punakha Dzong is the winter residence of the King with the milder winter climate in this fertile valley.

Black-necked cranes of Phobjika Valley Bhutan

Black-necked cranes migrate to protected Phobjika Valley for the winter from Tibet and circle the Gangteng Monastery three times (clockwise in accordance with Buddhist practice) before landing in the fields and marshy area of the long fertile valley. Meet Kharma, a permanent resident of the Recovery Centre, due to an injured wing. Good news is the crane population is increasing due to sanctuaries in Bhutan and Tibet. Nice hiking above the valley.  

Kingdom of Bhutan

The clean air in the mountains and valleys of Bhutan, a remote Buddhist kingdom at the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is striking. While Bhutanese may describe themselves as a very small and poor country, Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness. In that measure they probably compete across the globe. The index is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of the population, instituted in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted in 2008.

North Sauk River TH to White Pass PCT

Outside Darrington, the mountain loop highway leads to a gravel forested road 20 miles to the trailhead. Gain 1000 feet over six miles to MacKinaw's toppled shelter on the river then a brutal 3000 feet up over four miles and you will arrive at gorgeous White Pass. There are pleasant campsites just below the pass, and head north or south on the PCT for jaw-dropping high traverse hiking.

Summerland Hike, Mt Rainier NP

Hike up 2100 ft (8.4 mi roundtrip), above the tree-line, to the land of black bears and cubs, marmots, and straight-on views of Mount Rainier!

Meares Island hike, Tofino BC

On a sunny day, take the Tofino Water taxi over to an adventuresome day hike around the island, thick with old growth forest.

Pacific Rim National Park, BC

Near the town of Uclulet on Vancouver Island, the hikes around the lighthouse and the Wild Pacific Trail are pristine and exquisite during sunny summer days.

Hoh River Trail, Olympic NP

Into the rain forest for a day hike or a fantastic backpacking trip all the way up to the glacial moraine of Mt Olympus (18.1 mi one-way).