Yesterday's 4 hour drive through mountainous terrain was only 70 kilometers with some short stops bringing us to the former capital Punakha. Bhutan is one of the world's poorest countries but it feels different to India. There are still some tin shacks and mud huts but also many houses in much better condition and the road side is cleaner. There are no hawkers or haggling on prices (some people like it, personally I think it's a bore).
All the houses are decorated with hand painted protruding window frames and more, like this one with a phallus for fertility which is common, and other symbols asking for prosperity, long life and happiness.
The hotels are very modest 2 to 3 star and the food simple but good and mostly vegetarian which suits us. Lots of chillies is a good way to keep the stomach from acting up and so far so good in that department. Fresh corn cooked on an open fire by the roadside was a treat.
Today's outing entailed a drive out to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyai Chorten (pay attention there will be a test at the end!). It was an hour hike to the temple.
The view of the snaking Mo (mother) River through the valleys below was the highlight of the day and the walk up through the terraced rice and wheat fields where the farmers were thrashing grain, the horses and cows grazing and the ringing bells of the prayer wheels was an idyllic country scene.
The temples are elaborately decorated inside (photography not allowed once you remove your shoes) with finely painted wood carvings, elaborate murals, multicolored flags and banners and of course any number of Buddhas. It is very difficult to keep up with all their names, the Tantric Masters and the mythology behind it all so we just admire the beauty and take in a little at a time. If you have ever seen pictures of Bhutan you have probably seen this one, the Punakha Dzong with it's cantilevered bridge, the original 1637 fortress and temple of the city.
Tomorrow we will return through Thimphu into the Haa Valley, said to be the most scenic in the country, if it is better than today it must be very special
All the houses are decorated with hand painted protruding window frames and more, like this one with a phallus for fertility which is common, and other symbols asking for prosperity, long life and happiness.
The hotels are very modest 2 to 3 star and the food simple but good and mostly vegetarian which suits us. Lots of chillies is a good way to keep the stomach from acting up and so far so good in that department. Fresh corn cooked on an open fire by the roadside was a treat.
Today's outing entailed a drive out to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyai Chorten (pay attention there will be a test at the end!). It was an hour hike to the temple.
The view of the snaking Mo (mother) River through the valleys below was the highlight of the day and the walk up through the terraced rice and wheat fields where the farmers were thrashing grain, the horses and cows grazing and the ringing bells of the prayer wheels was an idyllic country scene.
The temples are elaborately decorated inside (photography not allowed once you remove your shoes) with finely painted wood carvings, elaborate murals, multicolored flags and banners and of course any number of Buddhas. It is very difficult to keep up with all their names, the Tantric Masters and the mythology behind it all so we just admire the beauty and take in a little at a time. If you have ever seen pictures of Bhutan you have probably seen this one, the Punakha Dzong with it's cantilevered bridge, the original 1637 fortress and temple of the city.
Tomorrow we will return through Thimphu into the Haa Valley, said to be the most scenic in the country, if it is better than today it must be very special
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