Our next Write & Roam journey is to Bhutan. Far far away but so worth the trip, this incredible tiny Buddhist country holds magic within for you to discover. Walk in the hidden valleys, hike over the lush hills, and soak in a hot mineral bath. We will visit monasteries, and meditate at dawn as the world awakens. This is for you. As we absorb all that is Bhutan, in our writing sessions we will capture the essence of our senses, filled to the brim, pouring onto the page. Writing enhances the experience.
Bhutan is a hidden gem high in the Himalayan Mountains. What secrets does it hold for you?
Peace and quiet are pervasive, allowing you to think, listen and create from a place of stillness, rather than chaos and distraction.
Theta brainwaves will activate, creating flow, stress reduction, creativity, and contentment. These benefits will remain accessible long after the retreat is over. The writing tools, crafts, and techniques are based on the Gateless Method.
Resistance will melt away. The inner critic who shouts all day long will be quieted and diminished. Let’s leave that critic behind in a valley or river.
Nature will envelop you, filling you with awe, integrating your connectedness to everything.
Leave worry and weariness behind. Immerse yourself in the present moment. Listen to wild rivers run, visit Buddhist stupas on the side of the road, and hear the sonorous sounds of thousands of prayer flags flapping in the wind, sending blessings across the world.
Astonishing architecture in bold colors and designs, just like Shangri-la, will stoke your creativity and delight your eyes,
Plenty of places to shed what doesn’t serve you, and pick up some new vibes!
Links to all the sites we will visit are in blue and bolded in the daily schedule on my website: https://susanweisbohlen.com/retreats/bhutan-2024
I’m happy to have a call with you to talk about the trip! Email me at susan@susanweisbohlen.com. I will also schedule Zoom calls in February and March.
Most tours of Bhutan begin in the capital city Thimpu and venture East. But I’m going to take you West towards China, to the hidden paradise of Haa. This serene, peaceful place was once known as the “hidden-land rice valley” and was closed to tourism until two decades ago. Quaint guest houses have been built with local farm-to-table food, traditional architecture, and endless nature. It’s remote, isolated, and the perfect place to begin our journey. You will have no choice but to leave the world behind, and immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture, acclimate to the altitude, and allow the adventure to begin. But don’t worry, East we will go! Take a look below at the detailed itinerary and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Why Bhutan? My first trip there was in 2006, on a whim, to join a friend who was traveling in Nepal. Suffice it to say that there were so few tourists there, that when I returned with a group in 2016, a hotel manager remembered me - and my name! I fell in love with the uniqueness of this place. Wild white rivers rush around huge boulders, Monks scurry along to prayers and study, Nuns meditate, strangers bow and you feel like you have reached the end of the world. On my first trip, my friend Sue and I sat in a shack on the edge of a town, the only place with an internet connection, and tried to send emails home. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. That may be the last time I was so disconnected from the world.
Now the internet and wifi are pervasive, but that feeling that you are in a different world is still there.
This journey is designed to get the most out of the trip but at a more relaxed pace. We will spend multiple nights at most hotels and guest houses so you won’t be packing and unpacking all the time. You can settle in and allow me and our guide to take you on walks, hikes, visits to monasteries, and festivals. Soak in hot mineral water. See the monkeys in the trees. Watch the flora and fauna pass by. Fly over the most spectacular mountain ranges. Meet locals in their homes. And write. Most days we will have two hours of writing salon, which you will be guided into through meditation and prompts. With no distractions, no goals, and no pressure, you will find your voice. And you will hear the voices of others. In the Himalayas.
Remember this is a high-altitude trip. If you are concerned please check with your health care provider for any issues that might arise when travelling over 13,000 feet. There are medications like acetazolamide, which can help you to acclimate.
I’d love to talk to you about this! You can email me at susan@susanweisbohlen.com or text me at 4109792096. Have you already decided you want to come? An $850 nonrefundable deposit will hold your place. Credit Card payments include a 4% processing fee. You can pay via Venmo to susan-weis-bohlen (last for of cell are 2096); Zelle: 4109792096; PayPal using Send Friends Money option to susanweisbohlen@gmail.com; or check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, Md 21136.
I’m overflowing with excitement and brimming with anticipation to return to Bhutan. I hope you will come with me! Let’s talk about it.
Lots of love,
Susan
This trip looks amazing Susan. Not this time, but one day I will definitely join you!