Travel isn’t always sunsets, summit views, and perfect Instagram moments — and in this episode, I get honest about the other side of life on the road.

Before diving in, I acknowledge just how much of a privilege travel is, especially in a world where many people face conflict, instability, and restrictions on movement. This episode isn’t about criticising countries, cultures, or places — it’s about the very human moments that unfold while traveling.

From getting violently sick at sacred sites, to terrifying border crossings, brutal overnight bus rides, running out of money abroad, and nearly dehydrating in the desert, I share ten of the lowest — and often unintentionally funny — moments I’ve experienced so far.

Some of these stories are uncomfortable, some are reflective, and others are light-hearted in hindsight. But all of them highlight a truth we don’t talk about enough: travel doesn’t always go to plan, and sometimes the hardest moments become the best stories later on.

If you’ve ever had a trip go sideways, questioned why you’re doing this at all, or found yourself laughing through the chaos — this one’s for you.

Let me know what your lowest moments have been.

00:00 – Travel is a privilege & episode introduction

01:05 – What Winging It Travel Podcast is all about

02:30 – Why this episode isn’t about judging places or cultures

03:00 – #1: Bodh Gaya, India – food poisoning at a sacred site

05:15 – #2: Vanuatu flight cancellation & the “prison hotel”

09:00 – #3: Being seriously ill in India & Laos

10:15 – #4: Chitwan National Park, Nepal – promised wildlife, saw nothing

11:40 – #5: Mount Fuji, Mount Kinabalu & hikes with zero views

15:05 – Listener support & podcast housekeeping break

15:55 – #6: Laos–Thailand border scam with guns involved

17:30 – #7: 30-hour bus rides from Vietnam to Laos

18:55 – #8: Near dehydration in the Atacama Desert

20:30 – #9: Running out of money in Australia

22:45 – #10: Giant ants while wild camping in Oman

24:45 – Bonus: Brutal mine-site kitchen work on a work permit

29:20 – Final reflections & listener call-to-action

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Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts!

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com

Social Media - follow me on:

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In this episode, I take you along for one unforgettable day in Bhutan that perfectly captures the country’s culture, spirituality, and everyday life.

The day begins dressed in a traditional gho before heading high into the Himalayas for the Druk Wangyel Festival at Dochula Pass. With clear skies, snow-capped peaks in the background, and vibrant performances by the Royal Bhutan Army, this festival is one of Bhutan’s most visually striking and patriotic celebrations.

After the festival, we descend into the Punakha Valley, stopping for lunch before setting off on a walk through authentic Bhutanese countryside. This walk takes us through Sopsokha Village and Teopronghu Village, passing rice paddies, prayer flags, family homes, and locals going about their daily lives — offering a real glimpse into rural Bhutan away from the usual tourist trail.

The walk ends at Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Fertility Temple, dedicated to the legendary Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman.” While often misunderstood for its playful symbolism, this sacred site is deeply spiritual and an important place of faith for Bhutanese people, set against stunning views of the Punakha Valley.

To end the day, I arrive at a hilltop hotel overlooking the Punakha Dzong, watching it transition from daylight to night — a quiet, reflective moment after a day full of colour, culture, and connection.

This episode blends immersive sounds, personal reflections, and on-the-ground experiences to give you a true sense of what a day in Bhutan feels like — from high-altitude festivals to peaceful village life.

Check out my previous Bhutan episodes

Episode 1 Interview with Ugyen Rinzin - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000743770563

Episode 2 - IMMERSIVE Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000744754502

Episode 3 - Days 1-3 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000745691316

Episode 4 - Interview with a female monk - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000747763604

🎧 If Bhutan has ever been on your travel radar, this series will show you why it deserves to be.

This entire journey through Bhutan was made possible by Breathe Bhutan, who created an incredible, deeply immersive itinerary that allowed me to experience the country far beyond the surface. From meeting local families to having honest conversations like this one, their focus on authentic, responsible, and meaningful travel is something I’ll be showcasing throughout this series.

Huge thanks to Breathe Bhutan for creating an authentic, culture-focused itinerary and making experiences like this possible. Also, thanks to Tourism Bhutan for hosting me on this trip and making this series possible.

Breathe Bhutan

Website to book tours - https://www.breathebhutan.com/

Instagram -

Bhutan Series w/ Breathe Bhutan Interview with Nun at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery - Life as a Buddhist Nun in Modern Bhutan

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, an all-female Buddhist nunnery located above the Punakha Valley in Bhutan. This episode offers a rare look into the lives of Buddhist nuns and the important role this nunnery plays in supporting women within Bhutan’s monastic system.

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery was established to provide both religious and practical education to nuns from across Bhutan, many of whom come from rural and remote regions. Alongside intensive training in Buddhist philosophy, meditation, chanting, and ritual practices, the nuns also study English, computer skills, and vocational crafts—helping prepare them for life both within and beyond the monastery.

During my visit, the nunnery was preparing for final examinations, offering a unique insight into the academic structure of monastic life. You’ll also hear immersive background sounds from the nunnery itself, adding context to the daily rhythm of study, prayer, and discipline.

Following the introduction, I share a 10-minute interview with one of the resident nuns, conducted in English. In our conversation, she explains her daily routine, what she has studied over the years, her perspective on Buddhism in Bhutan, and what life looks like after completing the nine-year monastic education. She also shares why visitors should take the time to visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery and one key idea from Buddhism that she believes everyone should understand.

This episode offers a thoughtful, grounded look at female monastic life in modern Bhutan, blending spiritual insight with real-world structure and purpose.

🎧 If Bhutan has ever been on your travel radar, this series will show you why it deserves to be.

This entire journey through Bhutan was made possible by Breathe Bhutan, who created an incredible, deeply immersive itinerary that allowed me to experience the country far beyond the surface. From meeting local families to having honest conversations like this one, their focus on authentic, responsible, and meaningful travel is something I’ll be showcasing throughout this series.

🎧 If Bhutan has ever been on your travel radar, this series will show you why it deserves to be.

This entire journey through Bhutan was made possible by Breathe Bhutan, who created an incredible, deeply immersive itinerary that allowed me to experience the country far beyond the surface. From meeting local families to having honest conversations like this one, their focus on authentic, responsible, and meaningful travel is something I’ll be showcasing throughout this series.

Huge thanks to Breathe Bhutan for creating an authentic, culture-focused itinerary and making experiences like this possible. Also, thanks to Tourism Bhutan for hosting me on this trip and making this series possible.

Breathe Bhutan

Website to book tours - https://www.breathebhutan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breathebhutan/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/breathebhutan/

🎧 Next up: The next episode will be an immersive experience of a Bhutanese festival, and be ready for all the sounds in this one!