Blogs from Bhutan, Asia - page 16

Wednesday morning, we set out for Kuenzangdak Gompa, reportedly the most challenging of our hikes. Less than half the group elected to go. We had seen the gompa while visiting the nunnery a few days ago. It was across the valley and high above the nunnery, so we had a preview of the vertical climb. Indeed, even those hearty souls, thus far, found this climb to be quite a challenge. We brought up the rear of the group with our now well-practiced "slow and steady" approach, with plenty of stops to recover and drink lots of water. After about 2 and a half hours with increasingly spectacular views of snow-capped peaks, we caught sight of the gompa clinging to the rock face. Even more impressive than Tharpaling in construction, it seems a miracle that any structure ... read more

Monday morning, we set out to Mebar Tsho, popularly known as "the lake", though it is actually a fast running river. The lake part is a very deep area between high narrow cliffs where the water appears to move slowly, but actually is full of eddys and whirlpools that swirl out of sight into a cave area under the cliff face. The site is a sacred place as it is where one of the sacred "terma" (religious treasures of understanding buried by bygone gurus to enlighten the world in a later time) was found. Prayer flags are everywhere, and a holy man sits in a shallow cave along the trail leading to the water, chanting and burning incense. Tiny chortens abound. The rocks above and by the water are slippery and there are no guardrails. Our ... read more

Friday morning, we took a beautiful hike through Phobjika Valley which is very wide, and where the cows and the one black necked crane graze together. The expanse of the valley is unusual as most valleys are narrow and steep. The idea was considered to build an airport in the valley which is understandable beacuse of its flat width. But, true to Bhutanese sensibilities, once it was realized that this valley is vital to the endangered black necked cranes, the idea was canned. After crossing the valley floor, the trail rose into the far mountains and continued up the valley through a lovely woodland with great views of the valley. The walking was cool and easy for Bhutan. Eventually, we arrived at the top of the valley and began a steep ascent up a high hill ... read more

We left our beautiful hotel at Dochula Pass Thursday morning after breakfast on the terrace overlooking the magnificent Himalayas. We had arisen early to watch the sun rise over the mounbtains. We were literally on top of the world! Just before we left, the hotel owner wanted to share an enormous thangka (religious painting on fabric often embroidered, as well), and had his entire hotel crew help to hoist up to the hotel roof a 20x20 thangka, the largest we've ever seen. The central deity was Padmasambhava. Our drive today was about 5 hours through beautiful mountain woodland, along the National Highway (the only east/west road), with non-stop hairpin turns all the way. Up to Dochula Pass, the road is in good shape, but beyond Dochula, it begins to degrade. Periodically, we passed road upgrade projects, ... read more

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