Bumthang to Mongar
This was the longest drive, about 8 hours 193 kms long and there is no restaurant in between, just tiny villages perched high up among the passes. It is one of the most spectacular drives in the country descending 3,200m. We crossed in to eastern Bhutan at a pass that is 3,780m. Unfortunately the day was misty so pictures probably will not show the show the winding roads and valleys so far below. Eastern Bhutan is much poorer than the west and the people here are very like the country people at home with weather beaten faces, simple houses and very very long distances between any type of settlement. All along the roads there are people who must have walked for many miles up and down tracks and trails with their babies in slings on their backs. Women work on
the roads the same as men. There are often delays for rock slides and sometimes the guide has to move a large rock out of the way. There is just one road that runs across this country so when we return we will go the same way again. Have to say that is just fine with me. The roads are scary but the drivers are excellent and the brakes are good.Mindup had stocked up with a tiffin like
container that fits in to a thermos so we had a picnic on our way with the usual red rice, chilies and soft cheese, meat, veg., dal and apple juice. It seems that we will drop back all the containers on our return trip. Flasks full of very hot water are always carried so that one can have a hot drink or tea on each trip
This was the longest drive, about 8 hours 193 kms long and there is no restaurant in between, just tiny villages perched high up among the passes. It is one of the most spectacular drives in the country descending 3,200m. We crossed in to eastern Bhutan at a pass that is 3,780m. Unfortunately the day was misty so pictures probably will not show the show the winding roads and valleys so far below. Eastern Bhutan is much poorer than the west and the people here are very like the country people at home with weather beaten faces, simple houses and very very long distances between any type of settlement. All along the roads there are people who must have walked for many miles up and down tracks and trails with their babies in slings on their backs. Women work on
the roads the same as men. There are often delays for rock slides and sometimes the guide has to move a large rock out of the way. There is just one road that runs across this country so when we return we will go the same way again. Have to say that is just fine with me. The roads are scary but the drivers are excellent and the brakes are good.Mindup had stocked up with a tiffin like
container that fits in to a thermos so we had a picnic on our way with the usual red rice, chilies and soft cheese, meat, veg., dal and apple juice. It seems that we will drop back all the containers on our return trip. Flasks full of very hot water are always carried so that one can have a hot drink or tea on each trip
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