This year started with plans for trips, a trip or two to Goa while the season was on, and then we decided to visit Bhutan. There were plans for Nepal in the summer and Assam in September, and even a trip to Calcutta in November!
We did Goa with friends and then with family, and then a luxurious tour of Bhutan, in our own hired vehicle with accomodations booked in good hotels... ah! Odyssey did the needful and in March we set off. As every one has said time and time again its a happy country ruled with a firm hand, pretty, uniform, neat and tidy. The highlights included a driver who had been a monk and had left to marry his Chinese sweetheart, a wonderful hike up to the Tigers Nest monastery and we just loved the food! the local cheese with veggies, the pork and asparagus, the spicy salads and ofcourse the delicious soup! the countryside... well I will let the pictures
speak for themselves!
Our trip took us along the breadth of the country, from Thimpu through Trongsa and Jakar. We went to the countryside of the beloved cranes but they had left for their northern homes already. it is believed that they circle the Dzong of Gantey thrice when they arrive in Bhutan and when they leave on their migration. We drove to Bumthang and then came back to Paro and were there in time for the festival. What a feast for the eyes! Every town had a market day and the different farm produce was fascinating! Yeast for brewing the rice beer, Chang, and whey to drink, fresh goat cheese and bamboo shoot pickle! We came back with the schezuan pepper which tingles and then deadens the taste buds but has a wonderful aroma, cheese, woven baskets and souvenirs. Our driver Ngagong was a little short on linguistic skills but very long on his knowledge of the Tibetan religion and monasteries. We met his friend who is a monk and lives in the Tigers Nest monastery, a gentle soul, kind , patient and cheerful! His dream was to meet the Dalai Lama! It was a privilege to know him. He met us on the way down from the monastery with tea and biscuits and snacks!
We did Goa with friends and then with family, and then a luxurious tour of Bhutan, in our own hired vehicle with accomodations booked in good hotels... ah! Odyssey did the needful and in March we set off. As every one has said time and time again its a happy country ruled with a firm hand, pretty, uniform, neat and tidy. The highlights included a driver who had been a monk and had left to marry his Chinese sweetheart, a wonderful hike up to the Tigers Nest monastery and we just loved the food! the local cheese with veggies, the pork and asparagus, the spicy salads and ofcourse the delicious soup! the countryside... well I will let the pictures
Our trip took us along the breadth of the country, from Thimpu through Trongsa and Jakar. We went to the countryside of the beloved cranes but they had left for their northern homes already. it is believed that they circle the Dzong of Gantey thrice when they arrive in Bhutan and when they leave on their migration. We drove to Bumthang and then came back to Paro and were there in time for the festival. What a feast for the eyes! Every town had a market day and the different farm produce was fascinating! Yeast for brewing the rice beer, Chang, and whey to drink, fresh goat cheese and bamboo shoot pickle! We came back with the schezuan pepper which tingles and then deadens the taste buds but has a wonderful aroma, cheese, woven baskets and souvenirs. Our driver Ngagong was a little short on linguistic skills but very long on his knowledge of the Tibetan religion and monasteries. We met his friend who is a monk and lives in the Tigers Nest monastery, a gentle soul, kind , patient and cheerful! His dream was to meet the Dalai Lama! It was a privilege to know him. He met us on the way down from the monastery with tea and biscuits and snacks!
When I stayed in the hotel in Punakha there was a treat waiting for me there, a book. "what makes you not a Buddhist". Its said that there are no coincidences so I feel that one of the reasons I visited Bhutan was this book. It answered a lot of my questions. It opened a door along this road of life.
I hope to go to Sikkim one day which will be along the lines of this wonderful country. I remember the friends I made with great affection. I love Bhutan.
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