31 October 2019 Well we have come to the end of our trip and begin the journey home. We are advised that we should allow at least 24 hours between our flight from Bhutan to Nepal and any international connections as delays are very common (don’t we know it). So I have another night in Kathmandu and will do a cooking class before our flight to Singapore tomorrow evening. But now seems a good time to reflect on my travels in both Nepal and Bhutan. On the face of it Nepal and Bhutan … [Read more...]
Day 19: Paro – Tiger’s Nest
30 October 2019 After an early breakfast, we drive 30 minutes from the hotel to hike to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), a magnificent monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. The legend, dating back to 747AD, says that the Great Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhawa) flew here from northeast Bhutan on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. The guru then meditated in the holy cave that is the site of the Pelphug Lhakhang today. According to … [Read more...]
Day 18: Paro
29 October 2019 Today we leave the peaceful Haa Valley. As we climb the steep road towards the Chelela Pass again we stop to take a picture of Haa with its 3 mountains that represent compassion, wisdom and power. We have a short break at the pass and even though the weather is again fantastic, only a few photos are taken. Chenga tells us more about the 4 pillars of happiness (first two were caring for the environment and preserving national culture). The other 2 are good governance and social … [Read more...]
Day 17: Exploring Haa Valley
28 October 2019 Today we will spend the whole day exploring the culturally rich Haa Valley, which is also known for being the ancestral home of the Royal grandmother. The two most important temples here are the 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (White temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black temple), which sit at the foothills of a group of hills known as Meri Puensum. Legend has it that King Songtsen Gampo released a black and a white pigeon to select sites to build the temples, which act as guardian … [Read more...]
Day 16: Punakha to Haa Valley
27 October 2019 The weather gods really smiled on us today. At 5am the clouds were right down and not looking promising but by the time we set off in the bus the clouds had burned off and the sun was shining in a clear blue sky. We are heading back over the Dochula Pass were we could hardly see anything 2 days ago and are really hoping for a view of the Eastern Himalayas. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions: the peaks coming into view as we climbed up to the pass (stopping for photos … [Read more...]
Day 15: Punakha
26 October 2019 After breakfast we have a 30-minute drive into the countryside to the base of a hill where there is a ridge-top temple - we are climbing up to visit it. We begin our hike at a suspension bridge that crosses the Mo Chu river. We walk alongside a little stream and then through paddy fields in a very lush almost subtropical valley before starting the approx 1 hour climb the trail to the Kahmsum Yulley temple. Although Punakha is lower than Thimphu, we are still feeling the … [Read more...]
Day 14: Thimphu to Punakha
25 October 2019 Today we leave the modern capital Thimphu and travel to the ancient capital of Punakha. Our first stop is the castle-monastery of Simtokha Dzong, the oldest in Bhutan and the first built by Zhabdrung from Mongolia (in 1629AD). It is said to guard against a demon that escaped into the nearby rock. Inside we listen to monks having a lively debate about religion. Then we climb the winding Dochula Pass (3,100m) through beautiful tropical forest and sparse … [Read more...]
Day 13: Thimphu
24 October 2019 Today we get a crash course in Bhutanese culture on an exploratory tour of Thimphu, the capital city. We first drive up to Buddha point where there is a 51m statue of Buddha, made in solid bronze and gilded with gold. It is the tallest Buddha in the world. We are able to see inside - wonderful carvings and paintings, as well as lots of pictures of the Royal Family and the 70th Chief Abbott. We also get great views of Thimphu nestled in the valley from the grounds of the … [Read more...]
Day 12: Kathmandu to Bhutan
23 October 2019 Today is another travel day as we make our way to the next part of our adventure in Bhutan. We meet the group for the last time for breakfast and Andrew gives a lovely thank you speech to Kishor. Anne then has to leave for her flight. I am taking the first of my antibiotics this morning and decide that it would be best to spend the time resting before those of us heading to Bhutan need to go to the airport. At 11.00 Andrew, Doreen, Dennis and I farewell Kishor (and Jan and … [Read more...]
Essence of Nepal and Bhutan
October 2019 This trip to Nepal and Bhutan included so many 'experiences of a lifetime' - it was just mind-blowing! Join me over the next several posts as I share my journey with you. It has been my dream for a very long time to go trekking in Nepal but health issues meant that I had to put this on hold. But when it came down to it, I actually chose a trip that gave me a little bit of everything rather than just focusing on the trekking. I have discovered that this really is my … [Read more...]