One of the most enjoyable things we did in Bhutan was play archery and darts with our guide (and we got our driver to join in on day 2!). We had such a fantastic time enjoying these 'quintessential' Bhutanese sports.

Highlights:
-Me hitting my arm with the string on the bow and the resulting 6 inch bruise. 
-Actually being better than DH at archery. 
-Husband actually being awesome at darts.
-Husband laughing at my 6 inch bruise and immediately doing the same thing the next day.

One of the things I've grown a bit accustomed to over the years is airport lounge access. This all started with my mom, who as a Star Alliance Gold member has access to a lounge in most international airports.  When you get off a 14 hour flight, I really find it relaxing to go sit in a lounge, with wifi and a free beer (though for good ol' motion sick me, it's often ginger ale instead). So when DH and I were heading to Bhutan and Thailand, I made sure we would have lounge access along the way.   I'm really not a lounge snob (I know you are out there) and appreciate whatever is available, particularly internationally. More than anything, I like that lounge bathrooms are typically cleaner than those in the general areas. And the chairs are comfier. And I don't have to pay $8 for some water (I'm looking at you Charles de Gaulle).

I'm not one to just rave about hotel experiences. It's very rare for me to really, really like a hotel.  But our experience with the COMO properties in both Bangkok and Bhutan were excellent, and I would not hesitate to stay at another COMO property in the future. (COMO did not pay for our stay or provide us any compensation for this endorsement, just so we're up front here.)

When we were first planning for our trip, the idea was to stay at the Metropolitan by COMO in Bangkok for one night--as we received a complimentary night for booking our Bhutan package with COMO.  Then, I had planned to use points to stay in a Marriott for the other two nights.  That plan was sort of scrapped when I drained most of my Marriott points in Naples, when we went to visit Pompeii. But one of the Marriott hotels was still less expensive, so we were considering a move.

I came to my senses and we realized how silly that was, with how little time we were spending in Bangkok. Did we really want to change hotels? No. Plus, we got a promotional rate at the Metropolitan, through COMO, since we had booked them as our tour operator in Bhutan.  So the Metropolitan it was.

I don't think anyone goes to Bhutan, at least the first time, and doesn't hike to the Tiger's Nest, which is more correctly called Paro Taktsang Monastery.

For many visitors, hiking to the Tiger's Nest is the most strenuous thing they will do during their visit and as such, a source of some apprehension.  So here are some FAQs from our experience climbing to the Tiger's Nest.

Do you need hiking boots?
Absolutely not. Even if it was really muddy I think hiking boots would be overkill. There are not boulders or rocks, and the hardest part of the whole hike is the set of stairs at the end, close to the monastery. DH and I both hiked in lightweight trail running shoes, and though we are both fit and active, we still feel like hiking boots are really unnecessary. If you are particularly concerned, you can get hiking shoes.

Are there tigers?
Uh, no. But if you see one, you might want to sit down and make sure you aren't about to faint.

I would be remiss in not discussing the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) this past weekend, which starts in Virginia and runs through the nation's capital. DH and I both received entries in the lottery this year, which was really exciting. I ran the MCM last year, but it was DH's first (and only...he claims) marathon.

The MCM is really quite the event--hotels are booked, and nearly all of the race course (yes, all 26 miles of it) is lined with people. This is one of those times where crowds of people are actually nice...gets a little dull running 26 miles without something to look at! Plus, they are great about encouraging you (and handing out candy).  Yes, the MCM desperately snarls traffic for a bit, but with 25,000 or so runners, it is quite the sight and the Marines and volunteers do such an amazing, amazing job putting the race on, staffing the aid stations, and cheering.

I was in Kansas City this past weekend, to work, not to play. And yes, this was booked well before Royals fever kicked in! Blue blue blue everywhere. Go Royals! (Sorry Nats.)

Honestly, when I found out the meeting was in Kansas City, my first thought was "ugh". Yup. Not excited. But, dear Kansas City, I liked what I saw and wouldn't drag my feet if I had to return! In fact, the marathon and half marathon were running on the Saturday I was there...not crossing that off the list of possibilities....

You may remember when I explained my love of (and fear of hoarding) knick knacks. I vowed to try to be better.  So did I totally kick my collecting knick-knack habit on our recent trip to Thailand and Bhutan?

Short answer: no.

Long answer: I was betttterrrr. Right DH?

I claim there are a number of important complicating/compounding factors.

I've been sort of mum about Chiang Mai as there is sooo much information from travel bloggers about the city and surrounding area. And I'm sure I'll get some hate mail for what I'm about to say.

I'll fully admit that when everyone loves something (as much as so many people purport to lovvveeee Chiang Mai), I'm immediately suspicious. In fact, I tend to dislike things that everyone likes. So, Chiang Mai had a lot to live up to.

There are so many places to go, and sometimes it's hard to decide whether to return to somewhere you love or try somewhere new.  One of the places I've been to a number of times is Prince Edward Island.

If you've never been to PEI, you should go. It's fun to stop in Halifax on the way, if you are driving, it's a beautiful, charming, seaside town with a lot of history. You can arrive at PEI by driving over the bridge, or taking the ferry from Caribou, Nova Scotia.  You can also fly, though I never have.

For Columbus Day weekend, I took a quick trip to New Hampshire to visit a great friend--and visit my horse (!), who lives with her in New Hampshire.  I flew into Boston and out of Manchester, New Hampshire, where the metal detectors decided to eat me alive. Seriously, what is with tiny airports having the most sensitive metal detectors and the big airports have the ones that I can waltz through with keys in my pocket? I don't get it.