Blogs from Bhutan, Asia - page 3

Saturday morning dawned rainy and chilly in Paro, Bhutan. The forecast had been for temps only in the low 40s; accompanied with rain it could be a bit uncomfortable, not to mention encountering potentially muddy and slippery trails, for our group's trek to Tiger's Nest, the cultural icon of Bhutan. It had poured last night, so the always pleasant and pleasing Bhutanese said we'd have no rain today as it had already washed itself out. I hoped the weather agreed with their optimistic outlooks, but took a rain jacket with me anyway. Waking at 5AM, dressing in layers, dry-bagging everything I wanted to carry, I went outside and found it was not too cold, but a misty rain was still falling and heavy fog covered the hillsides and mountains. Even so, we boarded the van and ... read more

We have been so busy on this trip that there's hardly any time to write. This has been our second full day in Bhutan, first exploring the delights of Thimphu, and today travelling to Bhutan's former capital of Punakha. On our first full day here, yesterday, we visited the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, the National Textile Museum, the Traditional Medicine (herbal) Clinic, the Arts and Crafts School, and Tashicho Dzong, an historic fortress and monastery. We also stopped at the Takin Preserve, takins being Bhutan's national animal, a heavier and more solid form of antelope. Added to all that, we had a dinner date with a Bhutanese family in their home, and were treated to a cultural performance beforehand, enjoying Bhutanese singing and dancing sitting in the cold Thimphu night air. Our days seem to be ... read more

A Lesson: To Be Patient Be patient… You will get it definitely. I know, some people might be thinking, why so? I will get back to you. Through this trail, I want to share, how a journey speaks off about the obstacles, a country is facing. Let me take you towards the far-off lands, in Bhutan. I did not travel to Paro, Thimpu, Phuentosholing but my concern was just to know the reality lies within backwoods. My journey started from Gwalior, then to Delhi. I took a train from Delhi to Guwahati. From there, I took a cab to reach Samdhrup Jonghkar, the border of India and Bhutan and further took another cap for Trashigang- the Jewel of the eastern Bhutan . Honestly speaking, Bhutan is the reflection of heavenly paradise. A country on the mountains ... read more

Marcia thought you might just like to see some photos without text. We have found the faces of Bhutan and Nepal engaging. And have been impressed with how hard people work with so few tools. Here are a few photos.... read more

Traveling the countryside of Bhutan We left Thimphu for the former capital city of Punakha and some traveling through the countryside. Before departing we enjoyed a dinner with some high school students and were dressed in the national dress, a gho for George and a kira for Marcia. It took two hotel staff to dress us, even though the kids we had dinner with claimed that by age 12 they could put on the clothes by themselves. While driving through the countryside we got a taste of the fourth pillar of 'gross national happiness', good governance. Bhutan is a monarchy, now under the rule of its fifth king. It was a state back in the 1600s, but civil wars tore it apart in the 1700s and it was only unified again near the end of the ... read more

21.04.2017 Dochula Pass Dachula pass has 108 stupas or chortens. On road from Thimpu to Punakha. Elevation 3,100 m (10,171 ft) Himalayas Mountain Range The Dochula Pass is a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas within Bhutan on the road from Thimpu to Punakha where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. Apart from the chortens there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck; the open grounds in its front yard is a venue for the annual Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival. The pass with 108 memorial chortens is adjacent to the country's first Royal Botanical Park. Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak ... read more