The Happiest Place on Earth (Quantifiably)

Imagine a place that doesn't measure the quality of life in economic terms, but "real" terms. Not in money signs, and time clocks punched, but smiles, and time spent with loved ones.  The place you are imagining is Bhutan, the kingdom of quantifiable happiness: or, Gross National Happiness.

The term was coined in 1972 when then King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was in the process of opening Bhutan up to modernization.  Prior to Wangchuck's rule Bhutan had been an isolated kingdom.  In openeing up the Kingdom to the outsdide world and Western economonics Wangchuck made off-hand comment, "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product."  

What was once an off-the-cuff remark, is now policy. Karma Titsheem is the current secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission of Bhutan. According to him, the four pillars of Gross National Happiness are: sustainable socioeconomic development, preservation and promotion of culture and traditions, good governance, and conservation of the environment.

Bhutan "preserves and promotes its culture and traditons," by limiting outside influences.  They have slowly allowed in the influences of television and internet.  Lisa Napoli of NPR just released an impressive book recounting her volunteer efforts to help Bhutanese youth open the nation's first radio station. This newfound openness was accompanied by massive recent political reforms, most significantly the abdication of Wangchuck in 2008 and emergence of a more democratic, constitutional monarchy.

Due to this glasnost-esque reopening of the nation, adventure travel companies have begun to move into Bhutan in earnest. AdventureLink is proud to carry over 70 trips to the country, ranging from short multi-day tours all the way to 27-day odysseys! Despite, or perhaps because of the nation's spiritual wrestling with tradition and innovation, Bhutan has a unique and endearing mix of old-world culture and modern convenience, local custom and open-armed welcome. Combined with incredible vistas and awe-invoking landscapes, Bhutan is surely a destination you'll not soon forget.

If you're looking for a mighty trek, perhaps you'll want to hike From Darjeeling to Bhutan. This 20-Day adventure is a hardcore hike through mountains and jungle, an unforgettable trip through Himalayan wilds. If you're less interested in the trek and more fascinated by the monasteries, you can take a shorter 10-Day tour of the Nature and Legends of Bhutan, where you'll visit the famous Taksteng Monastery, among others. If you'd like to experience the local culture, why not take a tour of the Black-Necked Crane Festival this November, where you'll experience the celebratory side of the Bhutanese people as well as immersing yourself in Buddhist culture. If road cycling is more your style, you can go on the Mystical Bhutan Cycling Adventure, where you'll cruise through the famed spiritual energy of Dochula Pass as well as past the many flags of Lawala. The bottom line is this: you don't know what "Happy" really means until you visit Bhutan!

Top 10 Interesting and Active Things to do in and Around San Diego

We've compiled the top ten interesting and active things to do in and around San Diego.  Whether you're a local or a visitor be sure to check out our list when planning your next weekend excursion or big adventure.

Top Five Active Day Trips near San Diego

Day trips are a sure bet to spice up any weekend, a day off, or are great for showing off your city when friends are in town.

1. Kayaking the La Jolla Sea Caves and Ecological Reserve This is a no experience necessary opportunity to slip into the sea caves of La Jolla, one of the most abundant wildlife hot spots in all of San Diego.  The guides are expert naturalists and kayakers so you'll be sure to learn a lot on this quick trip.
2. Introductory Rock Climbing School in Joshua Tree National Park Head out to the rare rock formations of the stunning Joshua Tree National Park to enter the world of rock climbing.  Your expert guides will teach you the basics of rock climbing, an you'll have plenty of time on the rock.  We think you'll catch the bug and have a whole new hobby in your arsenal after this trip.
3. Downtown San Diego Food Tasting and Walking Tour Sample delicious fare and learn about the colorful history of San Diego's Gaslamp quarter on this gastronomic walking tour.  You'll be put on the fast track to learning the inside scoop of San Diego's best restaurants, making this trip ideal for both natives and visitors alike.
4. San Diego Kayak Whale Watching Tour This tour combines two great things, kayaking and whale watching.  Well three actually if you throw the warm San Diego sun in there too.  Get active and up close to the whales on your own personal kayak or head out in a tandem kayak with a friend or loved one.  The guides are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to marine biology and kayak safety, so rest assured your are in good hands.
5. La Jolla Coastal Bike Tour See the beauty of the sea and the streets and homes of La Jolla on this bike tour.  Work up a sweat pedaling up the coast.  With bike, helmet, water, snacks and a guide included this is the perfect trip for visitors to San Diego to see this beautiful area.

Top Five Multi-Day Adventures near San Diego

Get out and explore the beauty and adventure opportunities that California and its surrounds have to offer!

1. Sea of Cortez Baja Adventure Swim, snorkel, kayak and more on this 8-day coastal vacation! This exciting package is sure to be fun for all ages, with ample opportunity to bask in the Pacific Ocean sun. Don't forget your sunscreen!
2. Take a Motorcycle Tour of California See California in a new way, by releasing the rebel within you and tearing up the coast on a Harley Davidson. Cruising up the Pacific Coast Highway never looked or felt so good, and you never looked or felt so good doing it as you do with a Harley between your legs.
3. Basic Rock Climbing Instruction Weekend Ever wanted to try rock climbing, but never got the chance? We're happy to offer the solution: a weekend of personalized training in spectacular Joshua Tree National Park. You'll learn how to belay and rappel and spot, and of course how to climb- not to mention what it feels like to conquer a mountain.
4.Best of the West Tour The Southwest is full of breathtaking sites, both natural and man-made, and this tour is the best way to see them all.  You'll be staring up at sky-scrapers one day, sequoias the next, and then down into the depths of the Grand Canyon.  Experience the best of the West in one fell swoop without the headaches of planning and driving on this budget-friendly tour.
5.Yosemite & Tuolumne Hiker: Peaks, Creeks and Waterfalls Let experts guide you down the Tuolumne River, considered to be some of the best whitewater rafting in the state.  Follow this up with one of the most beautiful natural areas in all the world, Yosemite National Park, and a hike to the top of iconic half-dome, and you'll have experienced the best of California's rugged natural beauty.

Top 10 Road Cycling Trips

There's nothing quite like cycling an unknown road, to scenic vistas, by the sweat of your own brow and under yourown power. Whether you're new to biking or have been at it for years, regardless of whether you consider yourself a beginner or a professional, it can be tough to select the course that's right for you. Here's a quick sampling of the best opportunities for road (not mountain) cycling tours and adventures available today!

1. Cycling the San Juan Islands

Washington State's San Juan Islands are a perfect vacation for the avid biker. After a short ferry ride from Seattle, riders are treated to some of the most soothing countryside in North America: black-tailed deer, great blue herons, flocks of sheep and fields of tulips. While you ride to the top of Mt. Constitution, you'll surely enjoy the fantastic scenery- perhaps you'll want to stop to pick some wild berries, too. If you're looking for a laid-back, intermediate-skill level week of road cycling fun, this is the trip for you.

2. Rocky Mountain High Altitude Cycling

Colorado's Rockies contain an incredible wealth of cycling opportunities that have gone unnoticed by most even in the biking world. On this tour, you'll experience these beautifully untouched paths: Taylor Canyon, Taylor Park, Poncha Pass, Slumgullion Pass, Lake City. For the discerning cyclist, no place other than the Rockies can offer such a challenging, unique experience. You'll treasure each moment- even on the uphill!

3. Royal Vermont Cycling

Vermont's scenic vistas are yet another hidden gem for road bikers, right here in the USA. Between Burke Hollow, Westmore and Black River, your cycling expectations are sure to be met. While you're there, don't hesitate to jump on the opportunity to kayak down the White Mountain Stream or hike up to the summit of Mt. Pisgah. As they say, variety's the spice of life!

4. Alps Pro Bike Tour

If you're looking for a challenge, this Alps tour de force is right up your alley; or, if I may, mountain. There's nothing quite like following in the pedal-strokes of Armstrong and Hinault, on these courses tailor-made for the experienced biker.When you summit the Queen's Path, King's Way and the peak of the Alpe d'Huez, nothing before will prepare you for the sense of accomplishment and pride you'll feel upon touching your foot to solid ground once again.

5. Cycling The Oregon Coast

This week-long, 360-mile trek from Stevens State Park down to Florence, OR is nothing to be trifled with. However, while you'll occasionally ride 60 miles in a day, there's plenty of fun to be had on the way: you'll see Rockaway Beach as your ride by Tillamook's famous cheese factory, and have the opportunity to go on a hike to Hart's Cove and get plenty of surfing done in Pacific City. It's the perfect blend of relaxation and serious road cycling.

6. Biking Prince Edward Island

On the other side of the continent, Canada's Prince Edward Island offers just as much coastal riding adventure. From the glassy calm of Malpeque Bay to the quiet tranquility of Confederation Trail, this 6-Day journey into some of Canada's most magnificent examples of natural beauty offers an opportunity for a splendid retreat for people of all stripes, into the bliss of a true cycling odyssey.

7. Mystical Bhutan Cycling Adventure

Now for the exotic! This cycling trip in Asia is more than a mere chance to stretch your legs. On your journey, you'll see the monasteries of Dodina and walk through the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, ascend to the spiritually-energized Dochula Pass and pass through deep, meditative forests. This two-week venture into such a wild and ancient land is sure to be genuinely unforgettable.

8.Northern Californian Bike Tour

There are few places that can compare to Santa Rosa and the rest of San Francisco's northern neighbors as far as spectacular nature is concerned. And, as far as cyclists are concerned, it takes the cake! On this trip you'll have the chance to feel the wind in your hair as you climb the oak-thick hills of the Coast Range, smell the salt of the sea air by Point Arena Lighthouse, not to mention taste the wines of Sonoma County and have the opportunity go hiking near the city of Mendocino.

9. Costa Rican Bicycle Tour

On this trip, you'll arrive in San Jose- and quickly get out of the city, adventuring into the San Carlos plains. If you're up for it, the mountainous villages of Monterrey await on high-altitude trails, where you'll have a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano. Here, you'll find the best of Central America on a wonderful week-long adventure.

10. Glacier Park/Waterton Lakes Cycling Adventure

And last, but certainly not least, another Canadian adventure! Waterton Lakes is a beautiful mountain locale, situated just above Montana's Glacier Park, and is just waiting for you to cycle in its fresh, pure mountain air. On this tour, you'll pedal through Logan Pass, the Triple Divide and even have time to go on some option hikes near Crypt Lake and Carthew Alderson. This trip is not for the faint of heart; you'll be traveling 60+ miles a day, not including any additional hiking. Regardless, it's certainly the journey of a lifetime.

Top 5 Countries for Adventure Travel

Although travelers who seek Adventure travel may not realize it, they have a lot in common with those who combine travel with volunteering. 

Adventure travel and volunteer travel both offer a unique perspective on a new destination. Whether you’re zip lining over a forest in Costa Rica or building a school for a local community in Russia, you are engaging with your travel destination on a whole new level.

If you’re an adventurer who’s new to the volunteering abroad world, don’t fret, there are an infinite number of ways to get involved in voluntourism. Some people may want to volunteer in the development office of an NGO in Peru or teach English to Chinese students. However, these more stationary positions might not be right for you. There are plenty of ways to get outside and explore a new place while contributing to the local community at the same time. These five countries offer many wonderful opportunities to volunteer for those with an adventurous spirit.

South Africa

South Africa is a great place for a volunteer interested in conservation. More than 20,000 different plant species can be found in South Africa, making it one of the world’s megadiverse nations. Its wildlife also makes South Africa a popular safari destination. Volunteers can work on local wildlife reserves where activities may include building fences, clearing trails, tracking and counting wildlife, feeding animals, and more. Popular national parks include Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and Addo Elephant National Park. With numerous exciting ways to spend your free time after volunteering, you will never get bored. The South African coast, a popular scuba diving destination, is a great place to volunteer with marine life, conservation, and just relax.

Ecuador

Ecuador is known all over the world for its beautifully unique landscapes and wildlife. The most popular types of volunteering in Ecuador are conservation and teaching. While the two can be mutually exclusive, there are also great opportunities to teach about sustainable practices when it comes to wildlife and environmental conservation. The Amazon rain forest and the Galapagos Islands’ extreme biodiversity ensure that the outdoor explorer will stay busy in Ecuador. Various endangered and near-endangered plants and animals in Ecuador benefit from volunteer work that focuses on protecting these rare species (like jaguars, pumas, and the howler monkey.) Unfortunately, human development and tourism has had large impacts on the endangerment of these precious animals and their habitats. Anyone looking for an adventure travel in Ecuador should look into volunteering on a beach or in a forest in this beautiful country.

Cambodia

Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, is full of activities to keep a volunteer busy in their free time. Try viewing the cities and ancient ruins by bicycle or scuba diving to see the natural underwater wonders. A true Cambodian adventure goes beyond fun outdoor activities. As a volunteer you will live like a local while contributing to community development. Lend a hand in Cambodia to fight growing social issues that separate the rich from the poor. Volunteers are needed to support refugees and homeless, work in health clinics, teach children, and more.

Ghana

Ghana is another great place to get outdoors and experience one-of-a-kind sights throughout the country. Similar to the other destinations on this list, Ghana has a number of national parks and coastal areas where volunteers can get their hands dirty. Help protect endangered elephants, monkeys, and birds throughout the country in wildlife reserves and parks. Sports fans will especially enjoy volunteering in Ghana – children in Ghana are particularly interested in sports, which lends to volunteer projects in sports development and coaching. Playing sports with kids at local school is one of the most fun ways to contribute to youth empowerment. Whatever your interest may be, there are a number of ways to get involved with Ghana’s local community.

Thailand

A volunteer trip to Thailand isn’t complete without a cultural adventure and a volunteer project. The coast of Thailand and surrounding islands offer great breathtaking opportunities to snorkel, scuba, surf, and more. If water sports aren’t your thing, exploring Thailand’s tropical forests is another great way to spend your time. The different types of forest regions in Thailand are great for those interested in local conservation and the impact of tourism on the land and wildlife. Thailand has a number of elephant sanctuaries where you can get up close and personal with these giant animals who are exploited regularly. Give back to the local community by promoting sustainability, volunteering at a national park, or teaching English at a school or monastery.

No matter what kind of adventure travel you’re interested in, there are plenty of ways to explore the world while volunteering, too. Whatever efforts you can make to have a positive and meaningful impact on your host community are important. Step outside of your comfort zone and find an adventure volunteer program that fits your needs and interests.

Facing Fear: New Depths in Adventure Travel

“Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’entrate.” This epithet – notoriously carved above the entrance gates to Dante’s Inferno – initiated the Zoncolan climb: a narrow road with an average 15% grade for 10 kilometers. The top of the climb reaches 1700 m with stunning views over the valley. A few weeks ago I wrote about scouting the Zoncolan here. It would be a futile attempt in this blog post to express in detail each painful meter, each dragging foot of elevation gain, every aching rotation of the pedals. Oh reader! I would like to quench your curiosity with an amazing tale about our hero’s relentless battle to reach the heavenly summit. It would be a privilege to relate an epic tale of courageously facing one’s fears with the ecstatic onlookers cheering on our protagonist to new heights. To which end he presses further, out of the saddle, to a climactic victory up high.

Dear reader, I would like to relate all this, but I can’t. Dante’s journey into hell is by all accounts a “descent.” It is the spiraling “ascent” through Purgatory that is physically exhausting, emotionally draining, yet redemption awaits for those who are true of heart. For this tale, by the fourth kilometer, the mountain had gotten the better of our two-wheeled pilgrim, who descended from his bicycle to walk quite a distance. There is nothing to pen about this journey. In fact, there is no story here.

For had our hero not been witness to the most stunning interplay of human determination and elemental wrath, it would otherwise be impossible to believe. It was a stunning display of our meager existence interlaced with powers greater than we imagine.

The early afternoon scorched. Clear skies gave way to blazing temperatures. Our cyclists moved slowly up the hill, burdened with backpacks equipped with supplies for whatever adverse elements lay in store for the afternoon. Morning television reported possible late thunderstorms. Yet, it was due in part to this heat that our heroes stepped off from their bicycles and began to walk. The climb was an unbearable furnace.

But as Dante’s Inferno is a mix of fire and ice, so is this mountain. Lo Zoncolan is high enough to wield freezing temperatures and gale-force winds. After hours of walking, our weary travelers made it to within 350 m of the finish line, where over 100,000 damned souls screamed and wailed in expectation of a great finish. Their moans reflected an agony of almost having been exiled to this mountain top for hours if not days, waiting for he big finish to arrive. After hours of inebriation in the blazing sun, these faceless shadows had lost their wits, teetering on the brink of insanity. Our cyclists stayed focused, climbing out of the girone that was the small mountain road and onto the grassy knoll just before the 100m sign to the finish.

The deafening loudspeaker reports announcing the peloton’s proximity rivaled heaven’s trumpeting archangels. The crowd whistled and screamed in drunken mists, spinning themselves dizzy within the mountain fog that settled. At every numerical countdown – 8 km from the finish, now 5 km, now 3 km – these specters howled and roared. Helicopters mimicked Satan’s minions, soaring overhead like black demons, beating the air with a million anxious heartbeats. The ground shook as the wind stirred the mountain sides, bringing an icy end to the day’s scorching heat.

One glance over the shoulder revealed what lay in the hours to come: black clouds grew within the eastern valley of Zoncolan. “That wrath is headed this way,” they thought. At the same moment, a distant thunder roll, then another, and the masses voiced everyone’s inner tension. The mobs gathered around the narrow asphalt path, as flashes of light lit up the crowd. Some believed they were merely early camera flashes, but far away an angry deity was aroused in a fury. The light and sound initially seemed unable to find a perfect rhythm: first a flash than a grumbling moan about half a minute later. But little by little, the two lovers slowly embraced until they were dancing directly over our heads.

Suddenly a collective scream overtook the mountain side, growing in intensity: the first riders appeared from the dark forest below. The guardians along the path locked arms and held the possessed and inebriated spirits from tearing apart the first cyclists: released like fresh souls into this unforgiving underworld. With 200 m to go, the first drops of rain fell on the racers, the road, the podium and the spectators. As Igor Anton made his way to the 50 m mark, the rain fell in diagonal sheets, riveting the protective plastic covers of the bierhaus and softening the grassy hillsides. By the time the second racer, Alberto Contador, came to that same mark, the weather changed to bitter cold. The rain became pea-sized hail, bouncing off the Spaniard’s helmet and the pavement. Lightning continued to streak and snap overhead, as the thunder that followed its steps muffled the crazed and infuriated loudspeaker, which screamed in vain to commentate meter by meter the outcome of this awesome spectacle.

Fearful and tired, the spectators dashed for shelter. What little cover there was at this altitude found itself bursting with four to five-times the number of people it was constructed to hold. Another torrent of hail and rain scattered these lost souls and created mud pits and slippery paths through the fields. Since the road was closed to the racers, the only remaining option was to wait out the storm with no cover, or hike through the treacherous, murky goat paths to get to the other side of the mountain. Our heroes threw their bikes over their shoulders, and began climbing up. They advanced towards the mayhem at the top of the mountain, which was compounded by over 100,00 people moving all at once.

Scaling muddy mountain sides and straddling aluminum fences, our travelers stumbled upon the last member of the group (quite miraculously) at the top of the climb. Dressed as best as possible for foul weather, the three began to descend the mountain in a torrential thunderstorm. Lightning crashed on the hillside as the skies rumbled and cracked with discontent. Every car looking to flee the chaos maneuvered its way along the harrowing narrow roads with dropping cliffs on either side. A veritable exodus out of hell, the cars were backed up and honking, with their hazards flashing. Our travelers threaded the necessary needles to get away from this chaos and down to warmer altitudes. At a bar in the valley, Charon – the van – drove our journeymen out from the rings of hell and into a warm hotel for the evening.

Dear reader, I would have liked to have written about my personal successes on Zoncolan. In a way, I believe I just did.