Blogs from Bhutan, Asia - page 10

Asia » Bhutan » Phobjika Valley October 28th 2012

We set out across the frosty valley this morning to a small Zhong occupied by the local monks. They are very hospitable and we have the honourof stepping back in time and into their 15th century monastery. The frescos on the walls are spectacular. Time is taking its toll on some of the walls and there is talk that the tourism board will remove the building to make way for the new one. The last earthquake has caused much damage to the beautiful temples in Bhutan. Palden says we can take the short cut to the Zhong in the next town, or we can go the long way which is not much further. We meander up through the small farm houses which appear to be deserted but are not. Parents and children play and work side ... read more

Photos from hot bath

Asia » Bhutan October 28th 2012

Mutti

Here are the photos........ read more

The Tiger's Nest and other thoughts from the mountains

Asia » Bhutan » Paro October 28th 2012

Tiger's Nest

D MJ Binkley

Passing thoughts on two weeks in Shangril – La: At some point, your mind sends you the message that the repository is full. It’s not unlike a memory chip where you’ve maxed out the storage space. Our minds are saturated with knowledge and stories concerning Buddhism, Buddha, the second Buddha, The Tibeten Master, the Tantric Master, the Crazy monk and various other deities. Turns out they have about one thousand, but frankly we’re not sure anyone’s got a tote board on exactly how many. Each valley or mountainside seems to have at least one. Buddhism is much more complex than meets the heathen eye. And of course just when you think you’ve got a toe hold on some of the most basic knowledge….you don’t. It’s been a great gig being here these past two weeks. We’ve ... read more

Back in Paro

Asia » Bhutan October 27th 2012

Mutti

Back in Paro, where we began. Yesterday was the long, long day drive from Trongsa to Thimpu. It really did take 9 hours to travel 200 Kms. We did take a short lunch break and a couple roadside pit stops, but most of the time we were on the road. I counted 16, and I think it was more, places were the road had been either washed out or suffered a major landslide. Repairs were,minimal, and the roadbed in these areas was sand or loose stone. Road travel here is not for the faint of heart. Did see monkeys, but we could not stop for photos...is it a gaggle, a pride, a herd, or a family of monkeys...not sure. Our hotel last night was a " resort" on the outskirts of Thimpu. Some of the rooms ... read more

Thimpu to Phobjikha Valley

Asia » Bhutan » Phobjika Valley October 27th 2012

Sharls and Shane

Saturday 27th October This morning we took off for a nice Saturday drive in to the Himalayas on our way to our stop for the night, the Phobjikha Valley. We have been really blessed today to have the most amazing view of the snow capped Bhutan Himalaya this morning from Talakha Goemba. Usually this is obscured by cloud. Actually there is nothing nice about the roads at all, and at our stop for lunch in Punakha, I take my second motion sickness pill for the day. The landscape is ever changing. In the rounding of a corner you can go from viewing mountains covered in paddy fields with snow capped mountains in the background, to sheer thousand foot drops filled with the colours of Autumn. Its just magical. We didn’t arrive in the Phobjikha Valley ... read more

Thimpu

Asia » Bhutan » Thimphu October 26th 2012

Sharls and Shane

What can we say about Bhutan? Simply amazing, and we are both so excited to be here! We stayed at the airport Novatel in Bangers last night before rising at 4.15am to catch our Drukair flight to Paro, via Dhaka, this morning. The flight in was beautiful – the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas appear above the roof of clouds in to blue skies- an amazing sight to see if you’re sitting on the left hand side of the bloody plane. Some of those peaks are over 7300 metres! Those of us on the right and over a wing missed most of this! The landscape from the air was spectacular nonetheless, and we did see a few caps so didn’t miss out completely. The plane itself flies into the narrow Paro valley, twisting quickly ... read more

Trongsa

Asia » Bhutan October 25th 2012

Mutti

Today we went to the dzong in Trongsa. It is very old, and quite magnificent. Trongsa is just about in the middle of the country, so in days past, all travellers from east to west or visa versa had to,pass through this fortress. The chap who unified Bhutan started from this state. View from the guest house is also incredible. A bit of a different day today. Usually we are running, running, but today we did not,have breakfast until nine, with morning yoga from 7:30 to 8:30 . A real treat. This,afternoon we had a two hour meditation workshop, and there is yoga again before dinner. Tomorrow we have a LONG drive, ten to eleven hours to go 200 kilometres....amazing, but true. We have done all sorts of,yoga, some classes are what you would expect, others ... read more

Now in Trongsa

Asia » Bhutan October 24th 2012

Mutti

Second day in Trongsa. The guest house last night claimed to,have wifi, but it did not work weel, at all. We had our move to another guest house, and this one seems to,have excellent wifi, hence the previous posit on Punakka. Wondering why we had to change locations? Well, a. Party of 11 tiger experts were coming to Trongsa to look for a rogue tiger who is causing much havoc. Over the past ten months the tiger has killed 11 cows and one human. Of course, the tigers are very rare, and this is not typical tiger behaviour, so experts are coming to investigate and tney are taking our rooms. They are welcome to them. Worst food we have had, which is saying something, indeed. All meals are buffet, and dinner issues rice, either white or ... read more

Punakka

Asia » Bhutan October 24th 2012

Mutti

well, the journey from Thimpu to Punakka was about three hours, not too bad, and in retrospect,it was a piece of cake. The journey took us over a pass where we had a great view of,the Eastern Himalayas. snow capped peaks amongst the clouds. Photos don't do it justice, but will attach one anyway. Punakka is the anclient capital of Bhutan, so lots of history. we made our way through a rice field to an old temple. Some young monks were sitting out on the grass, practicing on the instruments they use in the temple. Very neat to see. Will attach a photo. Also visited another of the old dzongs, where half is now used for government services and half for monks. Since this is the ancient capital, all important events, like the coronation and the ... read more

A short play about topography. And the wonderful BCF

Asia » Bhutan » Lhuentse October 24th 2012

Biking to Lhuntse

andyandmel

Prologue If something is steep, it is generally quite uphill or downhill. If something is flat, it is generally not very uphill or downhill. Simple, you’d think. NOT to Bhutanese people. Bizarrely, for a mountainous Kingdom in the Himalayas,, many Bhutanese seem to be under the impression that they are living on a featureless, flat landscape. Let us demonstrate this through the following short re-enactment: Scene 1: A hotel lobby in the Bhutanese town of Mongar. Mel (looking over a map and talking to the hotel owner): "So, we are thinking of cycling from here up to Lhuentse tomorrow. However, in this incredibly mountainous terrain, we are quite concerned it may be very hilly." Hotel owner: "No, not at all Madam. The road follows the river all the way – it is totally flat." Mel: "Really? ... read more

Brief history of Bhutan

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed wher...more history

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