Bhutan trip 11-20 June 2010 - Days 3 & 4

Frankly, my 3rd day in Bhutan passed by in a blur. I recall visiting the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Stupa) on the morning after a 1 hour or so hike. After that, we stopped over at the Punakha Dzong, reputedly one of the most famous dzongs in Bhutan before heading down to a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as the Divine Mad Man that spread Buddhism through unorthodox methods. People in that area usually have phalluses adorn their walls as a means of reminding themselves of him. My fav shots for each of the sights for Day 3:

14Jun10_Punakha_KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten

14Jun10_Punakha_KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten_WayUp_Padi

14Jun10_Punakha_Dzong

14Jun10_Punakha_Dzong_Monks

14Jun10_Punakha_ChimeLhakhang

14Jun10_Punakha_ChimeLhakhang_OntheWayUp_Lady

14Jun10_Punakha_DivineMadman_Shop_Way Up

Day 4 was not any better for me as I think I am still adjusting to the altitude differences in all the places that I was travelling to. From Punakha, we travelled back to Paro before heading for Haa Valley via the Chele-la pass, which at 3812m (although the itinerary said over 4000m) is the highlest drivable road in Bhutan. We stopped over at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Paro for a quick tour round the school who conducts classes for aspiring artisans. I cannot but be awed by their skill and patience as some take 6 years just to graduate from their art before they can venture out to practice their skill. Mind you, one false line drawn or wrong knock on the wood equates to a discarded item! Commendable!!

15Jun10_Thimphu_NatlInstChusum_Embroidery

15Jun10_Chele-laPass_Monks

Till the next post.....

Bhutan trip 11-20 June 2010 - Day 2

I woke up in Thimphu on day 2 in Bhutan. I took a walk along Thimphu town before morning breakfast and sighted many colorful Buddhist motifs (usually the 8 lucky symbols) painted on the pillars and buildings. I do think Bhutan has the prettiest petrol stations and bridges as even those are painted all over!! My fav shots with a monk walking along the painted bridge and the most beautiful petrol station...

Part of the Sunday morning was spent at the weekend market. I managed to get a nice scarf cum belt for US10. A bridge links between the handicraft and the wet market sections. All of Thimphu's residents purchase their fresh produce for the week at the wet market section. The fresh produce market gives a nice authentic feeling to the whole place to save it from being too touristy. Here are my fav shot (1) Lady I got my scarf cum belt from (2) Bridge the links the 2 sections

We had a quick stop at the Takin Preserve to take a look at the adult and baby Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan before continuing upwards to a scenic spot filled with prayer flags for a bird’s eye view over Thimphu. Frankly, the prayer flags is to me, what is unique about Bhutan and countries in the Himalayan regions as somehow when you see the prayer flags, I am reminded about the place and how its religion is inter-twined with the country. Here’s my fav shot of the prayer flags:

A quick stop-over at a nunnery dedicated to a Tibetan saint called “Iron Bridge Builder” before proceeding down to Punakha, another 3 hour drive from Thimphu. Along the way, we passed by Dochu-la which is at 3050m elevation. Had a tea stop near the 108 chortens where I tasted (and didn't like) butter milk tea. I will have 2 nights’ rest over at Meri Pusuam, a quaint little hotel on a hill at Punakha Valley.

That's the end of my 2nd day. Till my next blog entry!!