A typical sign giving advice against contacting HIV and avoiding alcohol
From Thimphu to Punakha
Off in an eastern direction to the capital Thimphu on a sunny day.
There are frequent check points for cars to keep track of vehicle movements. Mindup says that it is in case someone does not return which seems to mean that a car could go over the side of one of those high passes and never be seen again – a jolly, reassuring thought as the road is narrow and there are gullies on the one side and a very deep gorge along most of the other side. It is rare to see the bottom. The sights of the Bhutan Himalayas are absolutely panoramic.
There are oak and blue pine trees, cypress and fir and they grow to a great height. The first rhododendrons are already in bloom with red or wh
ite blossoms and they are as tall as trees. The primroses are pale purple rather like crocuses and they have a different petal to ours. The guide is so nice and knowledgeable, today he gave me a gift of a book on the wildflowers here and also a notebook with hand made paper to note my impressions of our trip. The picture is of one of the water powered prayer wheels that are scattered around the country.
In the c
apital we visited the “fortress of the glorious” or Tashichhodzong. This is the House of Parliament and the king has an office there and the ministries. It is also the summer residence of the Central Monk Body. The palace of the 5th King is close by so he can walk to his office. One is not allowed to even take a picture of his gate.
23 Feb.’10
Today we
went from Thimphu to Punakha for the big festival that lasts a week. On the way we drove through the Dochula Pass (3,140M). Each pass is marked by a large array of prayer flags and with 108 Chortens or Stupas. The festival is held at a huge Dzong that is located at the junction of 2 rivers. As usual the dzong serves as the religious and administrative centre of the region. The whole area has a holiday for the week of the festival and they come from miles away the majority of them on foot. All are dressed in their best traditional costumes and it is most colourful. T
he festival is commemorating a victory over the Tibetan military in the 1600s and there are warriors shouting battle cries, guns being fired, defiant soldiers doing a dance, fierce looking men on horseback helped by many young men as the horses react to the gunfire. The monks took part of course and there was a huge procession. Do have a glance at the photo album. The pictures and faces tell the story.
Tonight we moved in to a really nice hotel, the Dewachen, to be near very nice people from Canada that we had met several times along the road at lunch, the festival etc. They have vineyards in B.C. The hotel has wood fires in each room and in the dining room and is most cheerful. I loved being with people again after several hotels that had no other guests as this is the off season and it gets very cold morning and night although the days are bright and sunny so it was great to have the wood burning fire. We sat around it sharing some imported wine and felt like we were on holidays. Almost everything in Bhutan has to be imported as they don’t produce much other than potatoes, buckwheat, barley and chilies. The people are very self sufficient and agile. They hop up and down almost invisible paths to heights that seem inaccessible, the children help with all household chores and the women weave and make their own clothes, tablecloths, floor and seat covers and bedding.
http://picasaweb.google.com/a.roantree
ite blossoms and they are as tall as trees. The primroses are pale purple rather like crocuses and they have a different petal to ours. The guide is so nice and knowledgeable, today he gave me a gift of a book on the wildflowers here and also a notebook with hand made paper to note my impressions of our trip. The picture is of one of the water powered prayer wheels that are scattered around the country.In the c
apital we visited the “fortress of the glorious” or Tashichhodzong. This is the House of Parliament and the king has an office there and the ministries. It is also the summer residence of the Central Monk Body. The palace of the 5th King is close by so he can walk to his office. One is not allowed to even take a picture of his gate.23 Feb.’10
Today we
went from Thimphu to Punakha for the big festival that lasts a week. On the way we drove through the Dochula Pass (3,140M). Each pass is marked by a large array of prayer flags and with 108 Chortens or Stupas. The festival is held at a huge Dzong that is located at the junction of 2 rivers. As usual the dzong serves as the religious and administrative centre of the region. The whole area has a holiday for the week of the festival and they come from miles away the majority of them on foot. All are dressed in their best traditional costumes and it is most colourful. T
he festival is commemorating a victory over the Tibetan military in the 1600s and there are warriors shouting battle cries, guns being fired, defiant soldiers doing a dance, fierce looking men on horseback helped by many young men as the horses react to the gunfire. The monks took part of course and there was a huge procession. Do have a glance at the photo album. The pictures and faces tell the story.Tonight we moved in to a really nice hotel, the Dewachen, to be near very nice people from Canada that we had met several times along the road at lunch, the festival etc. They have vineyards in B.C. The hotel has wood fires in each room and in the dining room and is most cheerful. I loved being with people again after several hotels that had no other guests as this is the off season and it gets very cold morning and night although the days are bright and sunny so it was great to have the wood burning fire. We sat around it sharing some imported wine and felt like we were on holidays. Almost everything in Bhutan has to be imported as they don’t produce much other than potatoes, buckwheat, barley and chilies. The people are very self sufficient and agile. They hop up and down almost invisible paths to heights that seem inaccessible, the children help with all household chores and the women weave and make their own clothes, tablecloths, floor and seat covers and bedding.
http://picasaweb.google.com/a.roantree
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