Blog 3: Thimphu (capital) to Punakha (old capital)

On the journey to the capital, Thimphu, we stopped quite a few times to do some “culture”, including a visit to a school of artists where we watched students making all kinds of traditional crafts, then on to weaving sheds to see materials being hand-woven by young women and which you see in every part of Bhutanese life. Visited the most beautiful petrol station I have every seen, finally stopping to visit the Takin sanctuary to see this animal which is rarely found in the wild and is the Bhutanese national animal (half goat, half antelope, yep, very odd looking but I expect his Mum loved him!!). Stayed in fab hotel right in town and Di and I went shopping for a “kira” - the traditional female dress worn here and which we thought we could wear to go to the festivals in towards the end of the trip (and pretty stylish we looked too! )

Capital - Thimphu


Stupa and Himalayas


Now writing this from a rock-hard bed in a hotel in Punakha, having driven today over the Dochu Laa pass which gave us spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayas and the 108 stupas at the top. The winding roads over and down the pass was tortuous and not very wide, with a vertical drop on one side – not for those who don't like heights or get car-sick!! We stopped en route to visit a temple for the Lama Drukpa Kunley (aka the Divine Madman I kid you not). Childless couples come to be blessed here by one of the wooden effigies of the “erotic Lama” penis.................. Saw young monks practicing mantras, which is where I met the young man in the photo.

Dochu Laa Pass


Young monk


Haven't mentioned the food have I? Well, most mornings it is porridge(by choice), lunch and supper consists of weirdly chopped up leg bones of chicken, curried veggies, rice and chillies with cheese. As the only veggie in the group I am doing pretty well really but on day 10 getting just a tad tired.... Weather has been amazingly good, hot during the day and cooler at nights.

Buttermilk Tea


That's it for this time.........................