Adrenaline pumped in my veins as I stared
out the aircraft window, totally gobsmacked. The Druk airplane seemingly
folded in it's wings to squeeze through the narrow mountain pass to
land. The rock face appeared as if it was only 5 feet from the wing
tip!
As I descended the aircraft stairs onto
the tarmac in Paro, I was acutely aware that something felt different.
The sound of the wind whistled softly through tall spruce and pine,
scenting the air. Golden light glinted off the roof of the Paro dzong.
There was this sense of solitude, of time moving at a less frenetic
pace. There was a peacefulness.As no doubt you've already read, the
salient characters are the guides and drivers. The genuine warm welcome of our Bhutanese drivers and
guides felt like a cozy blanket, (not a scratchy yak one). To borrow Sue
Moxon's phase, for the next 15 days we experienced deluxe assisted living!
No, the accommodation is not deluxe but it makes for amusing
conversation comparing plumbing! Aside from being willing to carry all
of your belongings, the drivers or guides were pro-active. They might
diplomatically notice that I needed my sunhat or lotion. A gentle hand
or strong arm was always at the ready to help a less steady person on rough
terrain. With Robin's brilliant rotation of staff in vehicles,
travelling sometimes 8 hours a day, we really do get to know these gentle
Bhutanese Buddhists. Friendships form as do your
favourites!
As they say "It's the little things that count". Robin's attention
to detail was nothing short of amazing. It was seamless. Each
(instant) coffee, tea break, picnic or lunch afforded an extraordinary view
from sitting beside a roaring stream to overlooking green rice patties with
a farmer an oxen team; to a hot breakfast on top of the world surrounded by
thousands of snapping prayer flags. Lunch, gazing up at Tiger's Nest
was magical. Following the Tiger's Nest decent, the quaint Gangtey
Palace Hotel's hot stone baths and a cold beer were a winning
combination!
Treasured moments....imagine first being blessed by a llama and later
having your lunch served in a beautiful private temple. Spiritually,
raising our own prayer flag poles at Ugen Choling was my highlight. The
Ugen Choling museum was a gem. In Phongmey, after the Brokpa people
performed a private festival for us, it felt most humbling and a great honour
feeding lunch to the Brokpa people and the villagers and monks. Robin
gives back to all these communities in such a personal and generous way.
Robin's Rainbow Photo Tour was the most sensory and experiential
interactive adventure of my life time. It was also the most fulfilling.
As photographers, we tend to be observers remaining outsiders.
On Robin's Rainbow Photo Tour you participate, becoming woven into the
colourful fabric of the people's daily lives. You dance together, shoot
arrows, throw darts. You laugh together. And as you leave them,
you shed a tear. I went away with the comforting knowledge that they may
be poor materially, but they are so rich spiritually. I can't wait to
return!
Hurry NOW! While it is still authentic.
Carolyn Angus
Vancouver, Canada
Adrenaline pumped in my veins as I stared out the aircraft window, totally gobsmacked. The Druk airplane seemingly folded in it's wings to squeeze through the narrow mountain pass to land. The rock face appeared as if it was only 5 feet from the wing tip! As I descended the aircraft stairs onto the tarmac in Paro, I was acutely aware that something felt different. The sound of the wind whistled softly through tall spruce and pine, scenting the air. Golden light glinted off the roof of the Paro dzong. There was this sense of solitude, of time moving at a less frenetic pace. There was a peacefulness.As no doubt you've already read, the salient characters are the guides and drivers. The genuine warm welcome of our Bhutanese drivers and guides felt like a cozy blanket, (not a scratchy yak one). To borrow Sue Moxon's phase, for the next 15 days we experienced deluxe assisted living! No, the accommodation is not deluxe but it makes for amusing conversation comparing plumbing! Aside from being willing to carry all of your belongings, the drivers or guides were pro-active. They might diplomatically notice that I needed my sunhat or lotion. A gentle hand or strong arm was always at the ready to help a less steady person on rough terrain. With Robin's brilliant rotation of staff in vehicles, travelling sometimes 8 hours a day, we really do get to know these gentle Bhutanese Buddhists. Friendships form as do your favourites!As they say "It's the little things that count". Robin's attention to detail was nothing short of amazing. It was seamless. Each (instant) coffee, tea break, picnic or lunch afforded an extraordinary view from sitting beside a roaring stream to overlooking green rice patties with a farmer an oxen team; to a hot breakfast on top of the world surrounded by thousands of snapping prayer flags. Lunch, gazing up at Tiger's Nest was magical. Following the Tiger's Nest decent, the quaint Gangtey Palace Hotel's hot stone baths and a cold beer were a winning combination!
Treasured moments....imagine first being blessed by a llama and later having your lunch served in a beautiful private temple. Spiritually, raising our own prayer flag poles at Ugen Choling was my highlight. The Ugen Choling museum was a gem. In Phongmey, after the Brokpa people performed a private festival for us, it felt most humbling and a great honour feeding lunch to the Brokpa people and the villagers and monks. Robin gives back to all these communities in such a personal and generous way.
Robin's Rainbow Photo Tour was the most sensory and experiential interactive adventure of my life time. It was also the most fulfilling. As photographers, we tend to be observers remaining outsiders. On Robin's Rainbow Photo Tour you participate, becoming woven into the colourful fabric of the people's daily lives. You dance together, shoot arrows, throw darts. You laugh together. And as you leave them, you shed a tear. I went away with the comforting knowledge that they may be poor materially, but they are so rich spiritually. I can't wait to return!
Hurry NOW! While it is still authentic.
Carolyn Angus
Vancouver, Canada
Phone: 604 569 4455
http://www.pbase.com/carolynangusphotography (digital incl. BHUTAN)
www.carolynangusphotography.com (analogue)
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1760200 (southern India)
Equipment:
Notes:
for true " What You See is What You Get" shooting
the long lens that covers the 35 mm equivalent focal lengths of 200mm
to 600 mm