Bhutan

Not much good to say about the food for foreigners here in Bhutan, except that the veggies are fresh. Last night’s dinner included a mono, the dumpling, good greens, and some inedible pork bits with a glump of fat.

Today we drove to Paro from Thimphu. On the way we stopped at our guide’s house in Thimphu. This is the view from his front room and balcony.

Today we drove high above Thimphu to visit the Royal Takin Preserve.

Today we visited a nunnery on the outskirts   of Punakha. It has an amazing setting on a hilltop with views every which way. The place is a school for nuns. They must attend for nine years. Afterwards they can choose to teach or live a life of meditation.

Today was another long drive. We left at 7am from Trongsa and arrived at Punakha at 5pm. We bumped along the usual muddy highway.

Today we traveled on Bhutan’s East/West Highway, the only thoroughfare from East to West Bhutan. It’s not exactly Highway 101. We traveled 72 kilometers in four hours due to the muddy, treacherous road conditions.

Today we visited a workshop where they create a type of weaving called Yathra, which is very sturdy and often made into jackets.

Today we visited the Tamshing Monastery where the Tamshi Phala Choepa Festival was held. This monastery was built in 1501, and the dances performed are the original dances of the festival in honor of the monk who founded the monastery.

Today is a rainy day, clouds hovering  over the mountains.

Raining this morning, a welcome change from the sweltering heat. But rain meant the roads were muddy.