Seeking Bluer Skies: Three Months in a Remote Buddhist Monastery

Armchair Explorer

"Did you even hear a single word I just said?"

This question, asked of writer Bruce Kirkby one morning by his ten year old son, catalyzed a life-changing journey. Bruce and his wife, Christine, decided to break the cycle of 21st-century distraction by relocating their family - complete with two young boys - to a remote Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India for three months. But before they would reach the monastery, they would travel for nearly 100 days - via container ship, fishing boats, horseback, and even by foot - to reach this remote valley.

This episode will whisk you away to a rugged, captivating place filled with even more fascinating people - and it will delight, frighten, inspire, and surprise you at every turn.

FIND BRUCE

Follow Bruce on Instagram (@brucekirkby) or visit his website at brucekirkby.com to find his photography, previous expeditions, books, and more. You can find Blue Sky Kingdom, his book describing his family's entire journey, at your local bookstore or online!

SPONSORS

Thank you to our amazing sponsor, The North Face, for supporting this episode! When you wear The North Face, it’s more than a jacket…it’s the calling to get out there and explore. Find your next fleece, parka, or winter jacket at thenorthface.com.

Also, check out our new show, Hidden Trails of Oregon, which is out now! It's an immersive first-person journey - recorded on location with surround sound audio - across this weird, wild, and wonderful state. You'll hear Aaron go beyond the guidebook to discover the secrets only locals know! Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you find podcasts.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Follow @armchairexplorerpodcast across Instagram and Facebook, and check out Armchair Explorer (www.armchair-explorer.com) for background videos, photos and more on each episode. And please hit that follow button to support the show!

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison wrote and produced this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap.

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