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Bhutan: Entrance to the temple on the grounds of the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Entrance to the temple on the grounds of the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Landscaping around the grounds of the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan.
Bhutan: Furniture on the balcony of my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the
first night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Uncomfortable twin beds in my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel
selected by Evergreen Travel for the first night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: Furnishings in my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel used for the first
night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: This is said to be a Peepal tree planted from a cutting taken from
the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It
forms a main feature of the courtyard inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress
built in 1637.
Bhutan: This is said to be a Peepal tree planted from a cutting taken from
the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It
forms a main feature of the courtyard inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress
built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior of the massive walls of the Punakha Dzong facing the river.
The fortress was built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior view of the Temple of Fertility. We entered the temple
barefoot where a monk insisted on blessing me with two ancient phallic
replicas at the urging of my guide, Sonan. I suppose I am now supposed to be
more "fertile!" Wonder if that could apply to my writing?
Bhutan: Young monks at work on the grounds of the Temple of Fertility. It is
Saturday.
Bhutan: View of the river below from the grounds of the Temple of Fertility.
Bhutan: Jack Fruit hanging in a tree in the small village near the Temple of
Fertility on the way back from visiting the Punakha Dzong.
Bhutan: Symbol seen on a house in a small village near the Temple of
Fertility. The inhabitants are said to be protected from "back biting" and
all who enter are supposed to become more fertile. I saw three such displays
during my four days in the kingdom.
Bhutan: Visitors snapping photos of the phallus painting on their house
provides jolly good entertainment for this father and his brood from a
balcony above and to the side of the painting. The phallic symbols are said
to protect inhabitants from "back biting" and all who enter are supposed to
become more fertile. Looks like it worked for the guy in the picture!
Bhutan: This winding mountain road on the way back from visiting the Punakha
Dzong reminded me a lot of the Comino de la Muerte in Bolivia I traveled
last year. Though surely a dangerous road no one mentioned any serious
accidents. As the highway speed limit is 50 Km/hr everyone drives very
carefully... after all, you can't do much damage at 35 mph!
Bhutan: There are so many monks in Bhutan the main city of Thimphu has a
store that caters exclusively to their clothing requirements. I was temped
to buy myself a robe.
Bhutan: One of the paintings on the hallway walls of the Pedling Hotel the
Evergreen Tour Company booked me into for the second night of the tour.
Bhutan: One of the paintings on the hallway walls of the Pedling Hotel the
Evergreen Tour Company booked me into for the second night of the tour.
Bhutan: One of the paintings on the hallway walls of the Pedling Hotel the
Evergreen Tour Company booked me into for the second night of the tour.
Bhutan: A typical dwelling on a country road outside Thimphu.
Bhutan: A typical dwelling on a country road outside Thimphu.
Bhutan: A typical dwelling on a country road outside Thimphu.
Bhutan: View from my room in the Pedling Hotel in Thimphu the second night
of the tour. The deluxe room in the $52 hotel deserved the rating, but
breakfast was meager. Still, the Pedling is a major improvement over the
Riverview the agency forced me to endure the first night.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong. These are Beetle nuts local people chew with white lime and
the leaf of a specific tree.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong. These are brooms commonly used by people to clean up.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong.
Bhutan: The path up to the Temple of Fertility wound its way through bare
land and rice fields.
Bhutan: The path up to the Temple of Fertility bordered a narrow tended
grove as it wound its way through bare land and rice fields.
Bhutan: Prayer wheel structure on the grounds at the Temple of Fertility.
Bhutan: Painting on the wall of the courtyard at the Temple of Fertility.
Actually, all views are exterior as photos inside any temple is prohibited
by custom and law.
Bhutan: This is a gathering of city fathers in the square near a government
building along the main street of Thimphu. As this is a Saturday evening I
must wonder if they were here for some formal function.
Bhutan: This is a gathering of city fathers in the square near a government
building along the main street of Thimphu. As this is a Saturday evening I
must wonder if they were here for some formal function. |
Bhutan Tour 4-5 July 2008 July 4, 2008
135 photos.
Photos taken during the first two days of my short four day tour of the
kingdom of Bhutan
Bhutan: Arrival at the Pero Airport; the only one in Bhutan. There is a lot
of open space around the airport that sits in a shallow valley.
Bhutan: Arrival at the Pero Airport and everything is up to date, but
decorated with the foreign tourist in mind.
Bhutan: This is half of the entire Royal Bhutan Airline fleet: two identical
planes. Each makes two flights per day among five cities: Pero, Kathmandu,
Dhaka, Calcutta and Bangkok.
Bhutan: Arrival at the Pero Airport, this is one of two flights connecting
the kingdom to the outside world each day.
Bhutan: On the drive from the Pero Airport to Thimphu immediately after
arrival.
Bhutan: On the drive from the Pero Airport to Thimphu immediately after
arrival.
Bhutan: Landscaping around the grounds of the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: View from a hill outside Thimphu city at Sangay Gang.
Bhutan: View from a hill outside Thimphu city at Sangay Gang.
Bhutan: View from a hill outside Thimphu city at Sangay Gang.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 1.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 2.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 3.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 4.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 5.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 6.
Bhutan: View from my room at the $40 Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan: panorama 7.
Bhutan: View of the river running past the $40 Riverview Hotel the first
night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: View of the river running past the $40 Riverview Hotel the first
night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: View of the road running past the Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan.
Bhutan: View of the road running past the Riverview Hotel the first night in
Bhutan.
Bhutan: Intercity bus station about 400m from the Riverview Hotel the first
night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: City taxi station about 400m from the Riverview Hotel the first
night in Bhutan.
Bhutan: Row of stupas built in the traditional Bhutanese style.
Bhutan: People in one of the small villages on the way to visit Punakha
Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Water wheel recently manufactured in one of the small villages on
the way to visit Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: First view of Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior of the massive walls of the Punakha Dzong facing the river.
The fortress was built in 1637.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong. While walking the small market an elderly man dropped dead
and his friends carry the body first to a car. Unable to load the body into
the car a group of six men then carried the corpse several blocks toward
some structures in a grove of trees. My guide, Sonan learned the fellow was
the town drunk and probably drank himself to death.
Bhutan: The path up to the Temple of Fertility wound its way through these
rice fields that should ripen in October.
Bhutan: The path up to the Temple of Fertility wound its way through these
rice fields that should ripen in October.
Bhutan: Looking down the main street of Thimphu near my second hotel, the
Pedling. At 2200 Rupies my deluxe room felt like a good value; that is about
$50 and no doubt there would be an off season discount. Standard rooms were
about $40.
Bhutan: This is a gathering of city fathers in the square near a government
building along the main street of Thimphu. As this is a Saturday evening I
must wonder if they were here for some formal function, being dressed in
such formal national attire.
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Bhutan: Stupa is the central feature at the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Stupa is the central feature at the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Stupa is the central feature at the Choeten Monument in the
outskirts of Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Sculpture on the grounds of the Choeten Monument in the outskirts of
Thimphu city.
Bhutan: Painting on the high wall of the entrance to the Punakha Dzong, a
fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Painting on the high wall of the entrance to the Punakha Dzong, a
fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Huge prayer wheel surrounded by painting on the high walls of the
entrance to the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Painting on the high wall of the entrance to the Punakha Dzong, a
fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: This is said to be a Peepal tree planted from a cutting taken from
the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya India under which the Buddha attained
enlightenment. It forms a main feature of the courtyard inside the Punakha
Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior view of the Temple of Fertility. Actually, all views are
exterior as photos inside any temple is prohibited by custom and law.
Bhutan: Exterior view of the Temple of Fertility. Actually, all views are
exterior as photos inside any temple is prohibited by custom and law.
Bhutan: A forest of prayer flags planted along the boundary of the grounds
at the Temple of Fertility.
Bhutan: Another Peepal Tree planted on the grounds of the Temple of
Fertility. All of these trees planted at temples are said to have been cloned
from the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya India where the Buddha attained
enlightenment.
Bhutan: Symbol seen on a house in a small village near the Temple of
Fertility. The inhabitants are said to be protected from "back biting" and
all who enter are supposed to become more fertile.
Bhutan: Clock tower in the main square near a government building along the
main street of Thimphu.
Bhutan: Clock tower in the main square near a government building along the
main street of Thimphu.
Bhutan: A huge bank of prayer wheels near the Clock Tower in the main square
near a government building along the main street of Thimphu. This seems to
be the focal point for teen gatherings... where you hang out, if you are an
adolescent.
Bhutan: Row of prayer wheels near the Clock Tower in the main square near a
government building along the main street of Thimphu.
Bhutan: I saw a majority of people dressed like these kids on the main
street of Thimphu near my second hotel, the Hotel Pedling. Public smoking is
prohibited by law, so this kid's behavior is particularly defiant, no doubt
his intention. Sales of tobacco products are also prohibited; a traveler may
bring up to two packages of cigarettes into the country for private
consumption only!
Bhutan: Typical scenes along the main street of Thimphu. I made a point of
photographing people in colorful "native" costumes, but most people were
wearing western clothes.
Bhutan: Typical scenes along the main street of Thimphu. I tried to
photograph only people in colorful costumes, but most were wearing western
clothes.
Bhutan: Typical scenes along the main street of Thimphu. Except for the
monks most people were wearing western clothes, not that different from
other parts of the world.
Bhutan: Ornate flagpole base outside the entrance to the Punakha Dzong, a
fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Details of structures inside the Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in
1637.
Bhutan: Entrance to the bridge across the river that runs along one side of
Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Inside the covered bridge across the river that runs along one side
of Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: View as we exit the bridge across the river that runs along one side
of Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior of the massive walls of the Punakha Dzong facing the river.
The fortress was built in 1637.
Bhutan: Exterior of the massive walls of the Punakha Dzong facing the river.
The fortress was built in 1637.
Bhutan: We stopped at a farmers market on the way back from visiting the
Punakha Dzong. Discarded peppers after one of the vendors left.
Bhutan: At a small village near the Temple of Fertility on the way back from
visiting the Punakha Dzong.
Bhutan: Along the main street of Thimphu I made a point of photographing
people in colorful costumes, but most people were wearing western clothes...
except for the monks in their colorful robes.
Bhutan: I made a point of photographing people in colorful costumes
along the main street of Thimphu, but most people were wearing ordinary
western clothes.
Bhutan: Looking down the main street of Thimphu near my second hotel, the
Pedling.
Bhutan: My guide pointed out Thimphu has no stop lights. This traffic
control kiosk is manned by a guy referred to locally as the "dancing
Policeman." I watch for a while, but saw nothing unusual about his "dance,"
nor did I see enough traffic volume to warrant such a controller.
Bhutan: These concrete stairs form the seating for the only "stadium" the
country has. It seems to be a popular place for young people to watch one
another. |
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Bhutan: Structures near the trailhead for the five and a half hour hike up
to Tiger Nest.
Bhutan: Trail head for the five and a half hour hike up to Tiger Nest, the
iconic monastery built into the cliffs some three thousand feet above this
point.
Bhutan: Sonan, my guide leads the way as we start our hike up to Tiger Nest.
Bhutan: Sonan, my guide leads the way as we start the five and a half hour
hike up to Tiger Nest, the iconic monastery built into the cliffs some three
thousand feet above the valley, though probably less than seven miles round
trip. Trash cans like this one are stationed along the trail.
Bhutan: Sign praising the King along the trail near the start of the five
and a half hour hike up to Tiger Nest, the ancient monastery built into the
cliffs some three thousand feet above the valley.
Bhutan: This fellow from Bangladesh grilled me about my views on Buddhism as
we hiked the steep trail. He is a Muslim, but displayed an exceptional
interest in my iconoclastic views of the world's religions and my personal
take on the meaning of life.
Bhutan: Early view of Tigers Nest Monastery hanging on the cliffs in the
distance. More than two hours of hard climbing are ahead of us.
Bhutan: A couple of the Bhutanese pilgrims I met along the trail up to
Tigers Nest. This little kid couldn't keep her eyes off me.
Bhutan: On the trail we came across several caves where revered monks are
said to have spent long periods in meditation. These clay cones are
miniature stupas and contain chants written on tiny scraps of paper stuffed
into the hollow interior by devoted pilgrims seeking spiritual help.
Bhutan: My guide, Sonan retrieves one of the broken clay cones to show us
the chants written on tiny scraps of paper stuffed into the hollow interior
by devoted believers seeking spiritual help. We came across several caves
like this one where revered monks are said to have spent long periods in
meditation.
Bhutan: On the trail we came across several caves full of these prayer cones
where revered monks are said to have spent long periods in meditation. These
clay cones represent miniature stupas and contain chants written on tiny
scraps of paper stuffed into the hollow interior by devoted believers
seeking spiritual help.
Bhutan: Ahead of the gorge between us and the Monastery various structures
appear along the trail.
Bhutan: Approaching the gorge between us and the Monastery various
structures appear along the trail.
Bhutan: A view of the valley below before starting the 450 step decent to
the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to the gated
monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of monastery at the last resting place before starting the 450
step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to
the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: More tired pilgrims returning from their visit to Tigers Nest
Monastery as we continue our decent to the waterfall base.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: A section of the stairs along the 330 step climb to the gated
monastery complex.
Bhutan: Looking back down the trail to a point near the base of the
waterfall that marks the start of the 330 step climb up to the gated
monastery complex. This 67 year old guy looked like he might not make the
return trip alive.
Bhutan: Bridge across the stream created by the waterfall. This marks the
start of the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: This is the base of the waterfall that marks the start of the 330
step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: This mother is helping her daughter assemble a native dress for
entrance into the Monastery not far ahead. Bhutanese citizens are required
to dress in the national garb around the monastery. This teenager obviously
is unfamiliar with the garment, not very practical for mountain climbing.
Bhutan: The sturdy gate near the end of the 330 step climb to the monastery
complex.
Bhutan: One of the many secluded retreat houses hidden in nooks and crannies
of the cliffs around the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Looking back at the 450 step decent to the base of the waterfall
that marks the beginning of the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery
complex.
Bhutan: As we make our decent down the trail from the Monastery we ran into
many monks and lay people hauling supplies up to the remote Buddhist
outpost. Some carried large bags full of rice and other staples.
Bhutan: Exhausted from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I
declined another monastery visit and had the boys drive me slowly around
Paro town to snap a few more photos. A majority of the town folks wore
Western attire.
Bhutan: Dead tired from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I
declined another monastery visit and had the boys drive me slowly around
Paro town to snap a few more photos.
Bhutan: Pooped from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I declined
yet another monastery visit and had the boys drive me slowly around Paro
town to snap a few more photos. A majority of the town folks wore Western
attire.
Bhutan: Meager breakfast for three at the Hotel Rinchenling, the third and
last night of my tour package. If I needed reminding how much I loath
package tours, this provided an excellent example of the limitations of
having others decide what I will want to do at any particular time or place.
Bhutan offers no alternatives, so if you must visit Bhutan, you will do it
their way.
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Bhutan Tour 6-7 July 2008 - 90
photos
Photos taken during the second half of my packaged Bhutan tour in July 2008
featuring a visit to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Bhutan: Tigers Nest, Taktshang Monastery hangs from the side of a cliff in
the mountains above Paro in the western part of the country. The monastery
is located more than 3000 feet above the valley and presents a daunting
challenge to those determined to visit on foot. My old bones took five and a
half hours to make the round trip trek; younger hikers do it in four or
less. A constant stream of Bhutanese pilgrims included many families with
small children. Once inside the monastery the kids became so excited their
noisy exuberance shattered the quiet revere of the mountain retreat.
Bhutan: Sonan, my guide leads the way as we start the five and a half hour
hike.
Bhutan: Several structures contain water powered prayer wheels near the
start of the hike up to Tiger Nest.
Bhutan: First view of Tigers Nest monastery hanging on the cliffs in the
distance. More than two hours of hard climbing are ahead of us.
Bhutan: Some of the pilgrims I met along the trail up to Tigers Nest here
resting in the shade of a prayer wheel shelter.
Bhutan: Early view of Tigers Nest Monastery hanging on the cliffs in the
distance as seen from a prayer wheel resting place. More than two hours of
hard climbing are ahead of us.
Bhutan: Pilgrims pause here for a shady rest. These are some of the fellow
hikers I encountered along the trail up to Tigers Nest here resting in the
shade of a pleasant grove of trees.
Bhutan: As we draw near the gorge blocking the easy access to Tigers Nest we
come upon this structure of unknown purpose, but could be housing for
government staff.
Bhutan: Sonan again waits for his slow-poke client to catch up at the main
gate across the trail marking the start of the steep trail leading down 450
steps and then up another 330 steps to reach the monastery complex itself.
Bhutan: My guide, Sonan waits for me to catch up before continuing the 450
step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to
the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest at the last resting place before starting the
450 step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb
up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Looking down on the bridge across the stream created by the
waterfall. This marks the start of the 330 step climb up to the gated
monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: This is the cafeteria half way down the 450 step decent to the base
of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery
complex.
Bhutan: Near the bridge across the stream created by the waterfall. This
marks the start of the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Looking up toward the monastery from the bridge across the stream
created by the waterfall. This marks the start of the 330 step climb up to
the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Bridge across the stream created by the waterfall. This marks the
start of the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: As we draw near the gorge between us and the Monastery item number
two of this sign
alerts Bhutanese citizens to suit up in their native garb. While near the
sign I watched as a mother dressed her teen age daughter who obviously had no idea how to
wrap the skirt part around herself.
Bhutan: As we make our decent down the trail from the Monastery we ran into
many monks and lay people hauling supplies up to the remote Buddhist
outpost. Some carried large bags full of rice and other staples.
Bhutan: Toward the bottom of the trail we ran into a dozen vendors selling
tourist trinkets. The lady on the ground in the bright orange sleeves
mimicked my photo taking grimace. Since then I close my mouth when shooting
pictures.
Bhutan: Congregation of monks on the main street of Paro, a common sight.
Their colorful robes always added sparkle to any photos they happened to
enter.
Bhutan: Dead tired from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I
declined another monastery visit and had the boys drive me slowly around
Paro town to snap a few more photos. As the car moved slowly through town
the motion distorted some of the photos.
Bhutan: Dead tired from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I
declined another monastery visit and had the boys drive me slowly around
Paro town to snap a few more photos. Monks in their colorful robes seemed to
be loitering in every block.
Bhutan: Young people congregate on the main streets of Paro. Most are
dressed in Western attire despite the Royal Decree that everyone in contact
with foreigners should wear traditional attire.
Bhutan: Really fatigued from my strenuous hike up to the Tigers Nest
Monastery I declined another monastery visit and headed back to the hotel.
Flags on the roofs of houses like these signal the family has completed an
annual ritual performed by monks to protect the occupants from evil... for a
donation that runs about $20.
Bhutan: The lobby and dining room are in this building at the rural Rinchen
Ling Lodge we used for the third and last night of the tour. Far out in the
country, it offered lots of quiet in modest luxury, but little else.
Internet access charge totaled $5.50 per hour, so I passed.
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Bhutan: Sonan, urges me on as we start the five and a half hour hike up to
Tiger Nest, the iconic monastery built into the cliffs some Three thousand
feet above the valley.
Bhutan: Trash pits like these can be seen at several places along the five
and a half hour hike up to Tiger Nest, the iconic monastery built into the
cliffs some three thousand feet above the valley.
Bhutan: Water powered prayer wheels erected at a rest stop along the trail.
Bhutan: Sculptor at work on a large stone by the prayer wheels near the
start of the trail up to Tiger Nest.
Bhutan: Water powered prayer wheels are located in these building near the
start of the five and a half hour hike up to Tiger Nest.
Bhutan: More fellow travelers I met along the trail up to Tigers Nest.
Sensible people rest a lot and drink plenty of water!
Bhutan: Early view of Tigers Nest Taktshang Monastery in the distance as
seen from a prayer wheel resting place. More than two hours of hard climbing
are ahead of us.
Bhutan: Sensible people pay the $12 to ride horses like these up the steep
trail to the Tigers Nest Taktshang Monastery. More than two hours of hard
climbing are ahead for those of us who choose to walk. This horse heads up
the trail without a rider.
Bhutan: More fellow travelers I met along the trail up to Tigers Nest.
Seeing so many small kids and even babies surprised me. This is a very
strenuous hike even without lugging a kid along.
Bhutan: Pure white flowers along the trail to Tigers Nest Monastery.
Bhutan: As we draw near the gorge blocking the easy access to Tigers Nest,
the Taktshang Monastery structures loom at the top of a crest.
Bhutan: Sign marking the location of an important event that occurred near
the monastery complex.
Bhutan: My guide, Sonan waits for me to catch up before continuing the 450
step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to
the gated monastery complex. He told me he makes this strenuous hike about
twice a week with tour groups.
Bhutan: As we draw near the gorge between us and the Monastery this sign
reminds visitors of the smoking prohibition throughout the kingdom.
Bhutan: View of of a section of the long stairway down to the base of the
waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: More fellow travelers returning from their visit to Tigers Nest
Monastery as we continue our decent to the waterfall base.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest along the trail up the 330 step climb to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Another fellow traveler returning from her visit to Tigers Nest
Monastery as we continue our decent to the waterfall base.
Bhutan: This is the cafeteria half way down the 450 step decent to the base
of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery
complex. Sonan cautioned the food here is not too good.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest at the last resting place before starting the
450 step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb
up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: View of Tigers Nest near the bottom of the trail down the 450 step
decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330 step climb up to the
gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Another view of the Tigers Nest complex near the bottom of the trail
down the 450 step decent to the base of the waterfall that marks the 330
step climb up to the hilltop temple.
Bhutan: Looking up from the base of the waterfall that marks the start of
the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: Looking up from the base of the waterfall that marks the start of
the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery complex.
Bhutan: One of the monks hangs his washed robes to dry next to one of the
many retreat houses along the 330 step climb up to the gated monastery
complex.
Bhutan: More fellow travelers I met along the trail on the return trip back
from Tigers Nest retreat.
Bhutan: Horses empty saddled being used to pack in supplies up to the
monastery as seen along the trail on our departure from the Tigers Nest
retreat. Smart people take one of the horses up the steep trail and walk
back. The cost is only about $12 and from my personal experience certainly
would be a good investment!
Bhutan: While we stopped to watch an archery contest in progress I noticed
this healthy patch of what appeared to be Marijuana. It reminded me of a
T-shirt I saw in town: "God made grass; man made booze. Who you gonna
trust?"
Bhutan: Dead tired from my epic hike up to the Tigers Nest Monastery I
declined Sonan's offer of another monastery visit and had the boys drive me
slowly around Paro town to snap a few more photos on this my last evening in
the kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. As we passed this couple of American guys
talking to their Bhutanese guide I snapped their picture while giving them
the A-O-K sign, not realizing my fingers had gotten in front of the lens.
Bhutan: Sign marking the location of the rural Rinchen Ling Lodge we used
for the third and last night of the tour. Far out in the country, it offered
lots of quiet in modest luxury, but little else. Internet access charge
totaled $5.50 per hour, so I passed.
Bhutan: My room is in this building at the rural Rinchen Ling Lodge we used
for the third and last night of the tour. Far out in the country, it offered
lots of quiet in modest luxury, but little else. Internet access charge
totaled $5.50 per hour, so I passed.
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