blog

Traveller Stories: 50 Years of Happiness in Bhutan

Two local Bhutanese men standing outside a temple | Liz Light
Two local Bhutanese men standing outside a temple | Liz Light

When Jane and Terry (both aged 72) travelled to Bhutan to celebrate their 50th anniversary, they didn’t expect to be interviewed for a TV program. That is exactly what happened at Chomolhari Base Camp earlier this year. This active couple joined a group of travellers from around the world and with a team of local guides made it all the way to the base camp. Reason enough for us to ask them about their recent trip!

How did you choose to join the Chomolhari Base Camp trek?

We are keen walkers so we wanted to explore new terrain. A Himalayan trek was always on our itinerary but previously we had not had the time.

Did you have a special reason for going on such a journey as this?

This year we are celebrating 50 years of marriage with a series of events. In February we took a train to Venice and watched an opera on our actual anniversary. In March we walked in Majorca where we had had our honeymoon fifty years ago. We also participated in the Barcelona Marathon in March to prepare for the Chomolhari Base Camp Trek. Finally last April, we realised a plan we had for many years when we joined the trek in Bhutan with World Expeditions.

We heard you even got interviewed by a TV crew from Dubai?

Actually at Chomolhari Base Camp we were interviewed by a TV team from Dubai. The TV crew heard we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. They asked us for the recipe of surviving 50 years of marriage and wanted to present it as a happy event in an unusual setting. It was a fun thing to do while acclimatising. My final words were: “Celebrating 50 happy years in the Kingdom of Happiness.”

What did you do to prepare for your trip to Chomolhari Base Camp?

Four weeks before our Bhutan trip, we ran the Barcelona marathon. One month before our Bhutan trip we went for a walking holiday in Majorca and we did regular uphill running in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We didn’t have any altitude experience and we would advise other travellers to train for that as well.

The weather was glorious and the local team were fantastic in keeping us going.

What did you enjoy most about this journey to Bhutan?

The scenery, climbing two passes, the companionship with the other trekkers and the team, the sense of achievement. The weather was glorious and the local team were fantastic in keeping us going with always someone with me at the back.  We have nothing but praise for our guide.

What was the hardest thing for you?

We had a brilliant time but it was very, very tough especially the altitude. The hardest thing was breathing in the thin air. We all had some symptoms of mountain sickness which we expected. Terry found the breathing the most difficult. Jane had nausea and a swollen face each morning. The others had similar problems.

Do you have any tips to recommend for other travellers who are thinking of doing the Chomolhari Base Camp Trek?

Walk at your own pace and take your time to admire the scenery. If you are physically fit, age is probably not an issue.

Are you planning your next trekking holiday and where do you think you will go?

We are thinking of a trek in the Caribbean and are already looking in your brochure for one next year, lower altitude I feel and maybe a bed at night!

 

This was quite an achievement from Terry and Jane on celebrating their 50th anniversary we think! If you’ve been considering trekking up to Chomolhari Base Camp or any other trek in the Himalayas as well, please have a look at our complete offer of trekking in the Himalayas or contact our team of travel experts.

Bhutan, trekking

Comment (0)

Your comment will be visible after the administrator's approval.







b i u quote


Save Comment
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips