Blogs from Thimphu, Bhutan, Asia
May 8th 2012
ON THE WAY TO THIMPHU: On the way from Paro to Thimphu we visited a small private monastery across the river, TAMCHHOG LHAKHANG. The suspended iron chain narrow bridge, from where colorful prayer flags were hung, was both picturesque and frightening to cross. It was built by a Tibetan saint, composer and engineer who built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan. A 100-year old tamarind tree and vertical white prayer flags completed the enchanting landscape. But what made the visit at this monastery quite special was to find a group of village Bhutanese seating on the yard outside the chapel and kids playfully around the yard, some playing soccer. THIMPHU, the capital of Bhutan: Nothing really special about the capital that doesn't have a single traffic light. The 4th king is responsible for many changes which ... read more
February 3rd 2012
Bhutan- is a place of scenic beauty indeed. This was my first thought the moment our small plane was preparing to land in the tiny Paro Airport runway. The view from the plane was amazing. Paro Airport is a very small airport in a valley. The runway of Paro Airport is critical- the planes have to twist and turn between hills to land safely. Only small Dragon Air planes are allowed to land in that airport. The airport itself is a small Bhutanese style building and is not at all crowded. The moment we got out of the plane, and stepped into the cloudy, slightly cold country, I had a feeling that I would love this place. We were greeted by our chauffer for next 7 days- Prem Jee- who took us to Thimpu first as ... read more
Bhutan: Land of Dzongs, Goembas, Lha Khangs, and Chortens
Published: December 17th 2011Asia » Bhutan » Thimphu
December 3rd 2011
I would have thought I stepped into my own imagination. My own dream. This trip to Bhutan is so markedly off the usual, beaten paths. Not being melodramatic, but Bhutan is truly one fairyland. Men and women in local costumes, dogs blending in with the locals like they are members of the small Bhutanese populace (they are still under 1 Million as of this writing), mountain views and bubbling streams, a culture so unique, a very strong national identity. Dzongs as Fortresses and Monasteries White monoliths dominate the landscape. Like castles. Some on dry, dead mountains. Others at the junction of flowing rivers. We have been to three dzongs, but managed to explore only 2. We regret having missed exploring the interiors of the Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) as we were dead tired after that climb ... read more
April 27th 2011
The Hotel Yak and Yeti in Kathmandu provided all the western comforts, and we were delighted to be insulated from the chaos of the city. After a warm shower, catching up with laundry, and a nap, we joined our Tantric Pilgrimage group in the lobby. We opened our space together with a fun and group building puja in a beautiful room in an old palace next door, followed by dinner in the hotel. It was great to connect with the cast of characters embarking on our Bhutan adventure. By 7am, we were en route to Kathmandu airport. Our main guide, Mutribo, an english expate living in India and friend of our group organizers, did a magnificent job of sheparding us through the departure red tape. After 3 plus weeks of shepharding ourselves, we're delighted to be ... read more
December 29th 2010
108 chortens/stupas · Dochula pass Dochula pass (10,900 feet/3300 meter), is 16km far from Thimpu and some 30 minutes drive. You will admire the sterling view of snow-capped Himalayas and the hundreds of "broadcasting" prayer flags. Sometimes truck traffic can be a bit irritating .During winter road to Dochula pass is covered with mild snow. You will find mild snow fall in the entire Thimphu Vallley. Prime attraction to visit Dochula pass is 108 chortens/stupas. 108 chortens/stupas · Dochula pass The sharp peak that stands at the Dochula pass is masagang (7200 m) dominating the region,other mighty peaks on in this region are Tsendagang (6960 m), Terigang (7060 m),Jejegangphugang (7158m) and Kangphugang (7170m). Read more : url=http://thinkingparticle.com/articles... read more
November 19th 2009
Today we planned to trek to the monasteries of Thangu and Cherry. A taxi costs you around Rs. 700 for a return trip. A bus leaves at 7.00 am from the city bus stand to Begana (ticket: Rs 20), 3 km from Dodeyna the base for the trek. No prizes for what option we took. We reached Begana at about 7.30 and walked to Dodeyna. We had our breakfast, Maggi and tea, at the shop right at the trail head. That was probably the most pathetic tea I have ever tasted. Thangu and Cherry are located on two adjacent hills and is a half hour trek from the base. We chose Cherry first, located midway on the hill with another monastery,Thangery, nestled right on the top. We decided to do both. Its an easy 30 min ... read more
November 17th 2009
The plan today was to just wander around Thimpu and get necessary permits to visit Punakha, Thangu-Cherry and Takstang. Thangu-Cherry are hill monasteries accessible by half an hour treks from the Dodeyna village about 20 kms from Thimpu. The special permit to Punakha can be easily obtained at the immigration bureau, Thimpu (submit in the morning and collect it in evening). However a trek to Thangu/Cherry and Takstang requires some trekking at Thimpu itself for the permits. One has to trek up to department of culture with the photocopies of your Bhutan travel permit. You have to fill up an application form in Dzongkha, the official Bhutanese language ! Request the officer to fill it up for you and mostly he will oblige. Then walk all the way back to the market to take a photocopy ... read more
November 16th 2009
The ceiling fan blowing air at full speed and the sun rays being blocked by the surrouding buildings, I slept till 8.30 am what seemed a luxury a couple of days ago at HMI. Welcome to the plains ! I hurriedly freshened up to keep the appointment at 9.00 am. In the last month, bath showed up just a couple of times on my morning schedule. No chance here. We crossed the border to Phuntsholing and headed to the immigration bureau for our permits. They accept only passport and voter id cards. Shyam had his driving license and we had a tough time getting through. The people at the Indian embassy were unhelpful to the point of being rude. Not that the Bhutanese guys are courteous, but the Assistant immigration officer might just help you out ... read more
November 15th 2009
Photos : Here Duration : 9 days Cost : Rs. 4200/- per head for a group of 3 from Siliguri, India Itinerary * Day 1: Siliguri to Jaigaon (WB) (4 hour journey) and halt * Day 2: Obtained permits at Phuntsholing and head to Thimpu (5-6 hour journey). * Day 3: Local sight seeing in Thimpu and obtain permits for Punakha, Thangu-Cherry and Takstang monastry * Day 4: Day visit to Punakha monastery and back to Thimpu * Day 5: Day hike to Cherry monastery and back to Thimpu. * Day 6: Thimpu to Paro and local sight seeing in Paro * Day 7: Wasted in Paro due to extended friday night celebrations taking an unfortunate turn * Day 8: Day hike to Takstang Monastery and back to Paro. * Day 9: Paro to Phunstholing ... read more
November 15th 2009
After 28 days in mountains, it was time to head for plains, to Jaigaon, the border town in India where one can enter Bhutan, the land of the Thunder dragon. I boarded the only direct state transport bus to Jaigaon from Darjeeling at 7.30 am (ticket Rs.135/-). A less time consumping option would be to take a shared jeep to Siliguri and then another one to Jaigaon. The bus seats were quite comfortable and an advance booking got me a single seat right next to the driver. The driver was a jolly person having been perfected the art of multi-tasking. He knew almost every other person on the way and waved to each of them as his other hand negotiated the narrow hair pin bends. When not waving, he talked on his swanky Moto razr phone ... read more
