Blogs from Bhutan, Asia - page 11

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Asia » Bhutan October 21st 2012

Here are the photos... read more

Asia » Bhutan October 21st 2012

Today we hiked up typo Chedi Monastery. And, I do mean up...it was about a forty minute trek, up,up,up. The monastery is usually empty cause the monks there are usually on retreat. The go to Chedi after completing their four year monk training program. The retreat is three years,three monthd, three days and three hours...a long meditation.once complete they can take on monk,duties or they can go for further training, sort of like grad school. The further training is five years, and once complete,they can do things the other monks canmt. Like work towards enlightenment, e.g. Reincarnation......anyway, when we got to the top there were lots of monks around. Turns out it was a special four day ceremony, not sure just what for...there are a Lot odd ceremonies and celebrations. Anyway, we went into one of ... read more

Asia » Bhutan October 20th 2012

We are now in Thimpu. The altitude is 2,250 meters, or 8,979 feet. By comparison, the Summit of Tremblant is 2,871 feet, so we are high, high, high. o.k. walking, but climbing stairs is a challenge. getting better though. We have a half day hike tomorroe morming to a monastery, so,it should be interesting. Have managed to pick up a cold. think iit is from an outside yoga class..it was freeziPapp Not sure what to tell you, we have seen so many things and had so many adventures. This morning we went to a dzong where half is the king's offices and the other an astonishpop ply beautiful temple. The current king was crowned in his temple, anfpd his throne is therealong with thrones for his father, the chief abbot, and very nice seating for the ... read more

Asia » Bhutan October 20th 2012

We are not referring to sneezing (that would be ‘atischou’), nor the cloth for capturing sneezes, (that would be ‘a tissue’). This blog is about Tsechus – big religious festivals held in important monasteries. What are they for? ... well, firstly (and most importantly), if you are Bhuddist (and even if you aren’t), it is good for you – spiritually you are better off for attending. Secondly, it is a chance to pull out your best clothes and dazzle the world! Thirdly, it is a mesmerising spectacle! The HUGE Thimpu Tsechu sees 1000s of people pack into an enormous space that is somehow not quite large enough. Ahem ahem... "the photo?...The panoramic photo at the top of the page?...You like it?.... .... Oh thankyou! You are making me blush, but yes, I am very proud of ... read more
A and M in our Gho and Kira
Embarassment!
Fire!

Asia » Bhutan October 19th 2012

Here they are.....sorry.... read more

Asia » Bhutan October 18th 2012

Yesterday we visited the oldest temple in Bhutan. It was built in the 7th century. The grounds and surroundings were gorgeous.....I will run out of words to describe the stunning scenery of Bhutan, so, from now on, just assume the mountains are magnificent and I will let you know if anything changes.... the interior of the temple was very interesting. Photography is forbidden inside any temple in Bhutan, so can't show you. The space is small, and there are a number of statues and offering areas. You make offerings if so etching good is happening-a birthday, marriage, etc. You also make offering if you have been or think you may be naughty, as the offering can help to take away your sins. And, of corse, you make offering if something bad happens or may happen.Different statues ... read more

Asia » Bhutan » Paro October 18th 2012

Shangri-La has become synomous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia-- a permanently happy land, islolated from the outside world. Bhutan seems to fit this definition. Happiness is the Kingdom of Bhutan Bhutan has a philosophy they call Gross National Happiness. They define this by creating a world of well-being and happiness. This means they live life in balance. Sort of dividing things up evenly…..work, sleep and play…..the modern world could learn a few things from Bhutan. Now, we’re not trying to espouse some Buddhist-induced state of “total enlightenment,” but the Bhutanese are seriously interested in the psychological health of its citizens. Not a bad philosophy to latch onto all things considered. Research has shown that increasing levels of income correlate to increasing levels of happiness only ... read more
179 feet tall
Mt. Everest
Druk 11000

Asia » Bhutan October 17th 2012

Flew this morning to Paro, Bhutan. Feeling the altitude a bit, but only when climbing stairs,so expect it to get better. later, we head to higher elevations, so will see. This afternoon we went to the ruins of an old monastery.it was around for hundreds of years, but caught fire in 1951. Probably from butter lamps in the temple. Now, each temple can only have two butter lamps, and the others are electric. Scenery is absolutely beautiful.Will attach a photo. Very busy schedule for the next few days, so may be awhile to the next post... read more

Asia » Bhutan » Punakha September 28th 2012

When someone suggests "should we get up at 4am tomorrow", clearly this is a challenge to how robust and adventurous you are. Even though you'd rather be cocooned inside a duvet, with at least a further 4hours of sleep to still enjoy, if anyone asks you this question, there is only one accepted answer - "4am, well yes! that sounds like a grand idea! Best part of the day!" Etc... etc... Deep down you want anything to make it impossible to have to get up at such an hour. You look your guantlet layer in the eye and remark: "Really fantastic idea! Top thing to do! But.... Are you quite sure that we won't be breaking the curfew at that time tomorrow?". There is a slim chance that your slumber can be rescued. But no. The ... read more
Dawn at Dochu La
Dawn at Dochu La
Andy, Kesang and Mel

Asia » Bhutan » Paro September 24th 2012

There was much confusion over the time of our flight out of Paro to Kathmandu. When we booked flight time was 2:45pm but it is important to reconfirm Druk Air flights as having a monopoly they can basically just do as they like. Pensoc had made a call a few days earlier to get them reconfirmed but hadn't bothered to follow up with the office until the day before. It was at dinner that he finally got a text saying that our flight number was departing at 8am and another flight was leaving at 2:30pm. We were disappointed to think we'd lost the morinng in Paro, particularily as we had nothing on our itinerary for the morning so we were hoping to be able to be dropped in town and go free range. However, with our ... read more
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