Traveler: Burak Altıkulaç – Co-Founder of Creative Digital Agency
What is your most unforgettable escape? Bhutan, The Land of the Thunder Dragon.
What was the purpose of your travel? Hiking, Biking and Meditation.
With how many people did you travel? With my best friend, my wife.
Where did you stay? We stayed at Amankora that has a series of lodges across the central and western valleys of Bhutan. Our journey included 3 of the lodges located in the valleys of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha.
What did you most like about the trip? Peace and serenity emanated by the beautiful nature and people of Bhutan. This land is truly the lost Shangri la.
Could you share an unforgettable memory about the trip? Everything was unforgettable in this Himalayan Kingdom starting with the plane ride above the Mount Everest and landing at the airport located between mountains…
Your most surprising find during the trip? Lucky Phallus paintings in the village houses around the Buddhist monastery of Chimi Lhakhang built by the Divine madman, Drukpa Kunley. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a 10-inch wooden phallus that is said to have belonged to Kunley.
Favorite restaurant or food you have tried during your trip? Chilly cheese with red rice and yak curry…
What is the must tries of the city? Put up a prayer flag by a river or on top of a mountain…
Try your hand at archery or at least watch the local archery masters in Paro…
Hike to Tiger’s Nest and various other mountain top sacred monasteries and make an offering to the deities, Walk through the rice paddies, bike along the river in Punakha and finish with a picnic by the river…
If possible plan your trip around the time of one of the festivals… and dress like the locals when you go to the festival ground.
Any hidden gems you could whisper to us? Music by Ani Choying Drolma.
Would you go back? Definitely.
Could you list a few of your favorite finds you came back with? These can be anything from traditional finds to airport finds to hotel creams! Tibetan singing balls, thunder ball necklace, prayer wheel, and some handmade organic incense sticks.
Any tips that might be useful to know before going there? Try singing ball therapy…
Next stop you would like to visit? Java, Indonesia.
Burak Altıkulaç
Co-Founder of Creative Digital Agency
