The Revised Itinerary

After much discussion and thought, we have revised our travel itinerary in Bhutan. The new schedule places emphasis on fewer locations but with greater attention and time to the selected communities. This allows us to perform multiple treatments and follow through with the necessary followup over several days without the pressures of a tight and demanding schedule. It's our first go at this and our enthusiasm is boundless. At the same time, we must be realistic. Reigning in our efforts and focusing them, in my opinion, will see a greater return in terms of impact and effect for the betterment of the communities we visit.

The miles are still long and the legs need more training. Verdell's policy of No Vacation continues unabated. My daily flogging aboard the stationary bike trainer and in the gym to ensure my little legs carry me over them high hills are beginning to yield some noticeable changes in my overall fitness. I am no longer "grossly de-conditioned" but more a light shade of simply "de-conditioned". I often log onto Lance Armstrong's personal photographer's website to check out his gym work photos for inspiration. When I gaze at my navel, I know there's muscle in there somewheres...


I've included this map of Bhutan so readers can link names with places. I'm still working out how to draw a travel line on the map covering our destinations... computer graphics have never been a strong point of mine. Verdell promises to write an addition to this post which details the nature of the journey and the particulars of the communities and areas we will travel through. I will post when she sends it.

Tx = treatment

With that, the itinerary:

26 Sept. Arrive in Paro from Bangkok
27 Sept. Thimpu: rest day and pack for trek
28 Sept. Thimpu: meetings, afternoon trek to Dodina
29 Sept. Dechenphodrang: Tx
30 Sept. Dechenphodrang: Tx
1 Oct. Dodina to Dolam Kencho
2 Oct. Dolam Kencho to Barshong
3 Oct. Barshong to Shodu
4 Oct. Shodu to Lingshi
5 Oct. Lingshi to Chebisa
6 Oct. Chebisa to Shomuthang
7 Oct. Shomuthang to Robluthang
8 Oct. Robluthang to Chaijatha
9 Oct. chaijatha to Lemithang
10 Oct. Lemithang to Laya
11 Oct - 15 Oct: Tx days in Laya
16 Oct. Laya to Koena
17 Oct. Koena to Gasa Tsachu (hot springs)
18 Oct. Gasa Tsachu to Damji, Punakha
19 Oct. Punakha to Jakar
20 Oct. Jakar to Mongar
21 Oct. Mongar to Koma, Lhuntse
22 Oct. Koma to Komagong
23 Oct - 27 Oct. Tx days in Komagong
28 Oct. Komagong to Mongar
29 Oct. Rest day at Mongar
30 Oct. Mongar to Trashigang
31 Oct. Rest day at Trashigang
1 Nov. Trashigang to Radhi
2 Nov. Radhi Nunnery Tx Day
3 Nov. Radhi to Phongme
4 Nov - Nov 13. Tx days in Merak/Sakteng
Nov 14. Sakteng to Radhi, Trashigang
Nov 15. Rest day at Trashigang
Nov 16. Trashigang to Jakar
Nov 17. Jakar to Wangdue
Nov. 18 Wangdue to Thimphu