Testimonies
From Dr. Diane Hue & Dr. Tony Dickinson
We joined the Authentic Bhutan Tours for an 11-day trip to Bhutan in August.
Although not the best season to visit Bhutan, we experienced the best
of Bhutan during our visit. We were very pleased both with our tour guide,
Ten Dorji, and his chosen driver. They were both very professional,
knowledgeable, eager to share our spontaneous adventure wanderlust and enthusiasm for the odd unexpected ad hoc adventure off the beaten track. It was amazing how Ten Dorji was able and willing to answer our constant questioning and curiosity with regard to his country's geography, history, its people and customs. Ever willing to share as many as 20 daily hours with us (we were a tour party of two, eating, drinking, dancing, laughing and learning together), oftentimes in addition to the high quality and value of the tour itinerary. Ten Dorji's flexible thinking and professional ideals were set to make our Bhutanese experience an exceptional and truly 'authentic' one. We have learned a lot and found our trip to be indeed a very humbling learning experience for us both :). We will definitely recommend Ten Dorji's tours to fellow travelers who share interest to travel to connect with different peoples and experience their cultures.
Dr. Diane Hui (The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Dr. Tony Dickinson (People Impact International Inc., Hong Kong)
From David & Denise Zonker
Our trip to the Kingdom of Happiness began April 30th, 2007-May 4th, 2007. We were so excited to be able to visit and departed from Katmandu, Nepal.
On arrival in Paro, Bhutan, we cleared immigration and customs and walked outside to the pleasant sight of our names. There is where we had the good fortune of meeting Ten Dorji and his driver. We were whisked away in a very comfortable Toyota SUV and began our adventure.
Bhutan’s incredible beauty is surpassed only be the spirit of its people. English speaking, very friendly, good food, Buddhist culture, clean accommodations and all the conveniences that Western travelers expect. If the world could visit Bhutan, just maybe, we would have a chance at world peace.
We would recommend Ten Dorji for many reasons. He was always right on time. He speaks fluent English. He is a native of Bhutan and knows the history and culture. He chooses great places to visit for your once in a lifetime tour.
We were so very excited to visit Bhutan, but it wasn’t without its apprehension. Here is why, we are used to using credit cards for our trips. Bhutan doesn’t accept any credit cards, so the trip must be prepaid in cash by wiring it to the tour company’s bank account in Bhutan. This is scary. But you must trust that the country has controls set up to secure your funds. All guides are registered and very above board. We were afraid of our western culture which could include losing all of our monies. It didn’t happen and we would gladly wire the monies to Ten Dorji again. He has a wonderful family that we met; he is very trustworthy and delivers what he promises, on time.
Please feel free to contact us for any specific questions that we might be able to help you with. We wish that we would have had more time to explore. Hopefully some day we can return. It is that wonderful.
David and Denise Zonker
Denver, CO, USA
dzonker@jonescorp.com
ブータンの旅は、旅行会社に旅程を相談するところから始まります。トレッキングをしてみたい、お祭りを見てみたい、近郊の農村を見て回りたい… そんなリクエストに、スタッフさんが最適なプログラムを作ってくれます。希望とちょっと違うなぁ、あそこもついでに寄ってみたいなぁ。そんなときでも大丈夫。リクエストを伝えれば、それを考慮したプログラムを提案してくれます。でも、地図上では1日で行ける距離に見えても、実際には道路事情などで無理なことも。欲張りすぎて現地で体調を崩しても困る。そんなときは、それはちょっと難しいな、こうしたらどう？ と提案して欲しい。それも大丈夫。最新情報を元に、ちゃんと、無理なく楽しめるスケジュールを作ってくれます。
旅程が決まり、航空券の手配が終わると、いよいよ本番。初めて訪れる人も、ベテランさんも、パロ空港に降り立つ瞬間はドキドキわくわくの最高潮。でも、ビギナーさんにとっては、空港を出たところでガイドさんと本当に会えるのか心配。大丈夫。本当に「空港を出たところ」で、ちゃんと声をかけてくれます。
旅行中はずっと一緒に過ごすガイドさんとドライバーさん。こだわって作ってもらったプログラム、ちゃんと伝わってるかな、宿はちゃんと取れてるのかな。大丈夫。ガイドさんにもドライバーさんにも、ちゃんとあなたのプログラムと希望が伝わっています。宿、検問、公共施設への入場予約、どれもきちんと手配されています。でも、たまに工事や宗教上の事情などで、通過や入場が制限されることも。そんなときは、きちんと事前に説明して、代替案を提案してくれます。始終、一緒だとうっとおしいな。興味のないことを延々と説明されても嫌だな。自由時間も少しは欲しいな。いや、地元民とも交流してみたいし、文化や歴史も詳しく知りたい。それも大丈夫。ガイドさんやドライバーさんは、あなたの希望に沿って、時には豊富な知識で詳しい説明をしてくれ、時には遠くから静かに待ち、時には地元民との懸け橋にもなってくれます。
情報の少ない国で旅をする。頻繁に気軽に行ける国ではないから。そんな私たちの思いを、スタッフさんはよく理解してくれています。そして、決して安くないお金と貴重な休みを利用して旅行に来てくれるのだから。そんな思いで、私たちひとりひとりの旅を丁寧に、そして楽しく安全に過ごせるよう気を配ってくれます。あなたが幸せなら、わたしも幸せ。ブータンでよく耳にするこの言葉は、スタッフさん、ガイドさん、ドライバーさんの気持ちそのままです。
そんな旅ができる旅行会社。
あなたも、Authentic Bhutan で 旅をしてみませんか。
2008年1月 パロ～ブムタンひとり旅に参加 Miwako
