Tokyo – Days 4 / 5

June 1, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

The trips I lead are not technically tourist trips or what people might refer to as tours. They are about finding your way around and choosing your own path. Students have time to explore the city and enjoy their own adventures after some AM planned activities. The goal here is to help students become members of the world community, engaging in activities that enhance their understanding of the communities we are in.

On these days, we did a couple of activities…the main one was a trip to Kamakura and Enoshima. we traveled the hour train ride to this coastal town and then played on the beach, walking the stairs around the island and finding our way around the area.

Our first stop in Kamakura included my favorite ramen spot, now renamed Takasuru. It was as great as I expected. Many of us ate there and enjoyed the kindness of the new owners.

From there, we walked to the Daibatsu, the bronze Buddha perched on a platform that survived a tsunami in the 13th century. I’m always struck by the remarkable nature of this place. Situated in the hills that dot the landscape of this place, the buddha sits above the town, as if watching over the village.

Once we finished our visit, we walked the 800 meters to Hasedera Temple. The caves, shrines, and temples are remarkable, and the statue of Kannon in the shrine room is impressive, built into the side of the hill.

We left Kamakura for Enoshima, and students chose their adventure. A small group walked the stairs across the island while another played on the beach. After a brief trip into the water, they played hacky sack and were joined by some local folks.

By the end of this long day, most of us had walked 15 – 20 miles and were exhausted once we arrived at the hotel. We crashed and prepared for tomorrow.

On our last day in Tokyo, the group wanted complete freedom, and I let them find their way. Some went to a flea market, some to Odaiba, some looking for camera equipment, and others stayed close to the hotel. Everyone went their own way, and I was happy to accommodate their interests.

Now, it’s off to Kyoto, our houses in Higashiyama, and more wandering!

May you be happy, may you be well!

Wandering Around Tokyo – Day 2 / 3

May 29, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

This trip, unlike most high school trips, is more of an adventure and less of a tour. In fact, my whole goal for this trip is to avoid the “T” word entirely and give students the power to explore the world. So, beginning with our walks through Asakasa and Ueno, we found ourselves wandering past shops, homes, temples, and shrines. One of the things I love to do with students is to walk through neighborhoods in the city. On this day, people were biking to work, walking their children to school, buying groceries, and doing the parts of daily living that make life manageable and sometimes wonderful.

We began our morning in the shadow of the Skytree Tower, then walking the 1.6KM to Asakusa and Senso-ji. I send students on a scavanger hunt to find the kitsune on the temple/shrine grounds. From there we walked to Ueno, passing through Kappabashi and the many shops with knives, kitchwarre for restaurants, and ceramic shops.

From there we made our way into Ueno Park and headed to the Tokyo Museum of Western Art. After a couple fo hours of visiting the museum, we spread out across the area. Some went into the markets below the bridges filled with speeding cars. Some ventured further afield into other parts of the city, and some of us made the long walk back to the Sumida River to walk the trails that line the waterway.

Through it all, this early interduction to Tokyo and Japan gave students some confidence in navigating the city on their own.

Today, we had a late start, and then grabbed a train to Shibuya. We put a student in charge of navigating the train system, and off we go! We hit Shibuya Crossing, then split up for lunch, finding Omoirice, Korena BBQ, and everything in between. Tower Records was a huge hit, and after lunch, we walked through the Meiji Shrine.

After those antics, I unleashed the students on Takeshita Street in the heart of Harajuku. The crowds were not at all what I;’ve seen in the past, and they dropped into places along this small avenue.

From there we split up; one group stayed in the Shibuya area, another went to the Nintendo Store, and a third traveled to Iyota the Stationary Store mecca in Ginza.

After dinner, we againh fanned out and finally, around 10:00PM made our various paths back to the hotel.

I don’t want to jinx it, and, right now, this trip is humming along nicely. Tomorrow we travel to Kamakura and Enoshima. Can’t wait for the group to see the Daibatsu, Hasedera Temple and climb the stairs at Enoshima. If you’re eondering. our mileage is starting to add up, as most of us are hitting 15 – 20 miles of walking each day. Like I said, Tokyo is a walking city, and sometimes the BEST way to see the world is on our feet!

May you be happy, may you be well.

Japan 2026 – Day One in Asakusa

May 27, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

From our home base in Albuquerque to our new spot in Asakusa, we’ve traveled across the globe to experience Japana nd Japanese culture in all its glory. As you can imagine, the flight across the Pacific Ocean is a long one…on this day, exactly 11:50 hrs to land in Haneda International Airport. The flight was uneventful (no wifi on this one), and the food plentiful. United Airlines seems to have upped the ante in terms of offering food for travelers.

A few shots from our first evening in Japan

We made it through the long flight to land and get acquainted with Japan. The experience of a new place combined with jet lag is a powerful, mind-numbing force. Navigating the crowds of humans to make our way across Tokyo to Asakusa is a challenge. After $$ was exchanged, hotspots purchased, we hopped on the Keikyu Line to Asakusa and our hotel. We’re staying across from the Skytree Tower and it’s presence is a powerful one looming over the streets in this area (technically Sumida City).

Our hotel check-in was efficient, and I’d definitely recommend this spot to fellow travelers looking for a reasonable price for rooms (LiveMax Asakusa Skyfront).

After a shower, we all headed out into the evening, walking the 20 minutes across the Sumida River to Asakusa. The weather was warm, and we fanned out to find ramen, Susi, and every other kind of food in this socially charged spot. The evening came to a quick close as we all made it back to the Hotel by 10 PM and everyone settled into our firt night in Japan.

Today, we’ll be walking all around Asakusa and Ueno, hitting some popular spots and some hidden gems. We’ll spend some time at Senso-ji Temple complex, walk through the back streets to find ceramics, small stationary shops, and a food market hidden under a bridge near the Yamanote Station in Ueno. We’re planning to visit a couple of museums, and then the students will have the area to thmeselves as they wander this part of Tokyo.

The day will be full, our eyes will be open, and the weather looks as good as it gets in Tokyo in the summer!

May you be happy, may you be well!

The Long Road Home

April 12, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

Traveling back to the U.S. after weeks in Asia is a physical challenge. The long flights, the cramped seating, the limited physical space, all of this adds up to relatively minor struggles on the way home.

For our group, we woke on the last day with a casual morning planning for a quick 15 minute ride to the airport. Our flight from Paro heads to Bangkok via a stop in Kolkata, and the four-hour flight including the stop in Kolkata is plesant enough given what we faced on the following day.

Flying Bhutan Airlines is a gentle experience in terms of the ease of boarding, the kindness of the staff, and the attentiveness to passenger needs. You get plenty of food and drinks on these flights, and it gives you time to process the fact that you’re leaving Bhutan for another world.

One of the two meals served on this flight from Paro to Bangkok

If you’re traveling from Bhutan TO the U.S., it’s typically a day layover in Bangkok and then a flight the following day to the U.S. When we landed in Bangkok, about 4:00PM local time, we grabbed our schedule van to the The Great Residence Hotel and planned a visit to a market that evening.

Nancy found a markey close to our hotel (about a 10 minute walk) and we made our way in the heat of the evening to the Suvarnabhumi Market on Lat Kranbang Avenue. By the time we arrived, we were soaked, and eager to find some food and other items of interest. The chocies were extensive, from fried chicken to salmon sashimi to mango rice.

After we had our fill of sashimi, chicken wings, and fruit, we wandered back to the hotel for our final night in Asia, feeling all the feels of the end of a trip. Back at the hotel, we were seranaded by local musicians playing a variety of pop hits.

The musicians playing “She’s the One” by World Party

The following day, our flight departed Bangkok at about 3:00 PM, and we were warned to get to the airport with about three hours to spare. The advice was accurate as we entered the airport in this situation:

In the largest U.S. airports, you’ll typically see 6 to 10 airlines in the departure hall. Here, there are more than 30 different airlines flying all over the world. The United desks only have 3 kiosks compared to Albuquerque’s tiny airport of 8…the contrast is fascinating and you feel like the U.S. is just one of hundreds of nations in this departure hall. It’s an amazing experience to realize we are just one of many.

We boarded the flight with no hassles and prepared for the long trip home. We started in Bangkok at about 3:30PM and arrived in LA the same day at 7:30PM…the wonders of time travel!

Not even 1/2 way home or 1/2 way across the Pacific with 6:33 hrs left to travel

We made it to Albuquerque at about 12:20AM and the group split into it’s various subgroups as we bolted for home. WIthin minutes of arrival, we were all on our way to various homes and houses, escaping the tight knit community we created on these 14 days.

Of the many trips I’ve taken to Bhutan, none have been as connected and lovely as this one. The group was in tune,m the vibe was real, and we bonded by the end with so many inside jokes and secret handshakes. Personally, I was worried before our depature and I needn’t have been. These people from various backgrounds and perspectives were a joy to travel with. We explored, adventured, and rested together. What else can you say about a magical journey to the Land of the Thunder Dragon?

Bhutan Finals Days: Joy is sometimes a choice…

April 10, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

When you’re in Bhutan, joy comes easily and often. The joy of a cup of “milk tea” poured as you say “thank you”; waking up to clear skies and views of the Himalayas; watching dancers at the Paro Tsechu express the story of Milarepa. All of these things illicit joy and wonder in moments across time and space in Bhutan.

On these final days of our trip in the country, we had so many experiences and moments of wonder, that it’s hard to fit into this blog post. Let’s start with our trip to Paro from the Phobjikha Valley. If you haven’t ridden on the roads that cross Bhutan, you don’t realize that distance is relative in terms of time and space. 100 KM trip in my home state of New Mexico, it would take about an hour. In Bhutan, that same distance takes hours, stops, and photo opportunities. The pace is slow (deliberately so), and in many ways a kind of beautiful adventure of what’s around the next bend in the road.

The road, today, led us into Paro, and we made our way to the Tsechu, a religious festival. The Tsechu lasted for about a week, and we visited on the second day of the celebrations. On this day, the afternoon session told the story of Milarepa and the Hunter. The story is a song sung between Milarepa, a Buddhist monk, and a hunter Chirawa Gönpo Dorje. The dance between the two includes animals and the dancers help the hunter have a change of heart.

Later the in day, we headed to our hotel, and rested for our final hike to Taktsang (the Tiger’s Nest).

Our entire trip, it seems, led us to this hike to a temple perched on the side of a mountain, framed by rock and rhododendrons. The day began early as we attempted to beat the crowds making a pilgramage. We started the hike on a well-traveled trail through the forests that drape the mountains in this area. Mixed with pines and flowering bushes, the way is beautiful (if crowded) as we wound our way up to about 11,000 feet above the valley floor.

Each member of our group walked at our own pace with everyone making it to the Cafe within an hour. In reality, our pace was fast, and within about 1:45 hr were at the temple itself. To say this hike and this site is spectacular is understating it. The drama of walking up to the temple a visiting each of the shrine rooms is magical. You have aa sense of accomplishment, knowing that your effort paid off in an incredible way.

Overlooking the Tiger’s Nest…photo by Nancy

Our return to the valley floor was fast (around 45 minutes), and we headed from the hike into Paro town to find personal treasures to take home. We started it off in Namgay’s favorite new sopt, Brioche Cafe. We snacked on cakes, coffee and tea.

Our afternoon ended with traditional hot stone baths and tea. The day was just about perfect, and by the time we made it back to the hotel on this final night, we were tired and deeply satisfied with everything we accomplished.

Hot, fire-heated stone dropped into the wooden tub behind the slats; Wormwood leaves placed in the hot water…photo by Nancy

Of course, it’s hard to let go of Bhutan and Bhutan doesn’t really let go of you. Still, as this portion of the trip came to a close, we all talked about how this experience shaped us. Honestly, I cannot think of a better way to spend time with folks over a Spring Break.

Bhutan Days 6 & 7

April 2, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

Our travels to the eastern part of Bhutan was a long day. The roads in Bhutan are generally good AND the countours around the mountains take hours even though distances are short. Combine that situation with travel in vehicles no more than 35 – 40 miles per hour, and the process of travel from place to place is much longer than one might expect.

At the same time, our travel allows for a more nuanced approach, giving us time to stop for tea, photograph, and talk to people along the way. This very intentional approach to seeing a place makes for a much more considerate experience.

SO, we made our way across the country. Once in CHamkar – BUmthag, we settled into our residence for a couple of days, and then began our day in the pouring rain.

Our first temple was among the oldest temples imn Bhutan, Jambay Lhakhang. Build in the 600s, this temple’s interior shrine room is filled with statues of Padmasambhava and is 8 emanations. In addition, the space includes relics and ancient objects referencing Buddhism deep past in this region. Some folks refer to the Bumthang Valley as the cultural heart of Bhuddhism in Bhutan. Everyone from Pema Lingpa, Longchenpa, and Padmasambhava visited this place, l;eaving a mark on the culture and the landscape.

On a typicl day here in Bumthang, we would have walked the short distance to each of the temple along a dirt path to Kurjey Lhakhang, the location of the cave where Padmasambhava meditated more than 1400 years ago. Today, we took the bus to the temple and visited the shrine room and saw the cave that Padmasambhava sat in. If you ever wanted to visit one of the holiest, most sacred Buddhist shrines in the world, this one is it. The cave is distinctive in that according to legend, Padmasambhava left his mark in the wall of the cave. We sat for a while in this shrine room as Tenzin told us the story of Padmasambhava and his journey to Bhutan.

From Kurje Lhakhang, we made our way to Pema Lingpa’s temple, Tamzhing Lhakhang, across the river. Here we saw a group of people from Vietnam reciting the 100 Syllable Mantra. The temple was alive with sound, and we visted the shrine room, and saw the paintings on the wall placed there in teh 15th century.

From there we headed to a local farm house for lunch to taste local food and learn aboiut how it was made. The food, by far, was among the best we sampled in Bhutan.

After the farmhouse we headed back to the Hotel and then into town. Tomorrow, our journey takes us to Phobijikha Valley and a hike through the valley and a visit to the Black Necked Crane research facility.

Photos from the Trip

March 29, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

Today, I’m just posting a variety of photos from fellow travelers on this trip. They are in gallery form and I’ll post names associated as soon as I can.

Enjoy!

Bhutan Day 5: In Bumthang

March 28, 2026March 29, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

You could feel it in the air as we crossed the pass; the remnants of winter’s chill holding onto the air in this high country (about 11,000 feet). Clouds hung low over the mountains as ribbons of rain tinted the sky dark gray in the distance. Our drive from Trongsa was manageable, and we had the chance to wander, a bit, to see textiles and the ancient ways of weacing using a loom and plant-dyed yak wool, as well as just settle into an early evening in Chamkar.

At this 1/2 way point in our travels in Bhutan, we’re in a groove, many of us no longer saddled with restlessness and lack of sleep. Each day we’re eager to se what’s next, what’s around the corner, and what new story we’ll hear from Tenzin.

As I did yesterday, you’ll hear from folks on our trip, and their insights and experiences in the Land of thhe Thunder Dragon. In my 6th visit to this p[lace, I remain in awe of the ways in which people live their lives, weaving together the ancient and the modern in such unique forms. As in all places and cultures, managing the pressure of capitalist demands and retaining cultural identity is a huge struggle for the country and the people.

Like so many of us in the world, navigating consumption and sustainability is a dance that few have managed to learn. When you’re here you can see how capitalist culture slowly strips away local knowledge and customs, attacking the very core of personal and community freedom. At the asme time, I am a part of that process, bringing colonial identities into this place. The tension for the Bhutanese and Bhutan is to maintain the delicate balance of tourism (one of the three pillars of the economy) and providing guardrails around established tradition and identity. That’s a lot of deep information for this light-hearted blog, and it needs to be said.

Beth: So far, we have learned and seen so many aspects of the culture. What I have found is how progressive the community is and the religion. They welcome people from outside including tourists which they consider as guests. It was also surprising that since they have such and old and long-term way of thinking and living within their culture they are so open to people being LGBTQ+ or whatever made people happy and healthy and love who they are, which is much more higher thinking than most countries are still working on.

Luisa: This has been an amazing trip. From the spectacular building, breathtaking views, kind and welcoming people, learning about this country has open my interest in learning more about Buddhism. I considered this “A trip of a lifetime”. Love some words they use here: there is no good bye, there is I’ll see you again, there is no tourist, you are a guest.

Bhutan Day 4: From Punakha to Trongsa

March 28, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

The center of political power in Bhutan is firmly situated in Trongsa, the former capital of the country. The former province was among the most economically powerful in the region for centuries before the country of Bhutan existed as a single entity. Testimony to that past is the massive Dzong sitting on a north-south axis.

Our travels today took us to the Dzong, the National Museum, and various stops along the way seeing yak, photographing the mountains and riding our small bus for hours.

I asked our group to write something about their experiences so far. Today you’ll hear from a few people as they consider this trip. Enjoy the photos and commentary!

Ronan: One of my favorite moments so far in this trip was the Hong Kong Ladies’ night market, where we tried really good food and bought fun things. We saw a lot of people selling clothing, bags, and other souvenirs. I also tried these beef skewers that I thought were going to be questionable, but they were good. They were slowly grilled and seasoned to perfection. Sadly, we didn’t bring enough cash to buy more things so all we were able to get was the food and 3D printed snakes.

Nancy: My favorite moment of the trip thus far was waking up at 2am in Thimphu and happening to glance out the hotel window to see a giant golden buddha statue glowing in the dark of the night. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing correctly, and opened them again to realize it was indeed, still there! I felt welcomed by the country of Bhutan and watched over as I went back to sleep for a few hours. We visited the statue the following day and I later learned that the giant statue was transported to the area in three pieces. I can imagine the shock of seeing the giant pieces traveling on the road by all those they passed along the way.

Brian: Thus far I am most struck and enjoying the continuous array of prayer flags throughout the environment. Strung on bridges; wrapped around stupas; planted high on hillsides or ridge lines on long vertical poles; yellow ones lining the winding road ascending the mountain to the golden buddha; tall white funereal ones planted in groups high on hillsides commemorating a relative. They are literally everywhere and bring so much color and joy to traveling through this beautiful landscape.

Plant-dyed yarn, Bumthang (photo by Nancy)

Prayer Wheel, Trongsa Dzong (photo by Brian)

Bhutan Day 3: In Punakha

March 26, 2026March 27, 2026 ~ tgentryfunk ~ Leave a comment

We’ve settled into a rhythm, now, of meeting people and particiapting in activities each day. On this day, we hiked to Khamsam Yulley Namgyal Chorten, learned about traditional Bhutanese beliefs about demons (metaphorical ones that haunt our minds), rafted down the Mo Chu, learned about Vajrayana Buddhism at the Punakha Dzong, and then walked the longest suspension bridge in the country.

Today, you’ll see images from our day, as well as some insights from our travelers. You’ll see more of their words and images than mine as we got through the trip. Internet connections are not great, so I’ll upload images as soon as I can!

Punakha Dzong, the center of the monastic body in Bhutan

Our day was perfect as we drove to the trailhead to Khamsam Yulley Namgyal Chorten. At this point you cross the Mo Chu over a suspension bridge and hike through rice patties, wheat fields, and crops potatoes. The hike contours around the hill the temple sits on and the trail is well used and the steps are of various heights making the hike a climb in some places.

Once at the temple, Tenzin explained the importance of the site, and we took the four flights of stairs to the top, overlooking the Mo Chu Valley.

After our visit, we headed back down for our rafting trip. The river was calm, and that allowed us to splash, laugh, and generally just enjoy the experience as we floated past 1000 year old structures and were guided by Namgay who did his own splashing. It was a blast and a fun reprieve from Dzong-Temple-Dzong.

From their we dried off and visited Punakha Dzong. This temple complex is among the most impressive I’ve ever seen and the shrine room was filled with monks chanting and beating drums. The moment was incredible, and we entered the room in awe of what we were hearing and seeing.

Our last adventure of the day took us to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. The wind and the rocking made from some interesting moments and we enjoyed making it across and back.

Exhausted from this long day, we ate a quick meal, and headed to bed. Tomorrow’s trip to Bumthang promises to be equally compelling!