Central Hotel Phuntsholing

We were in the immigration office only to find that it had closed at 12: 30 itself. WE were there at 3 PM.! we took a hotel and ate pork beef and alll kinds of nonsence before we headed back to the Indian behavioured Bhutanses immigration officers ...

Phuntsholing is the entry point to Bhutan. We arrived quite late at night and well beyond the time when the Bhutanese immigration could accept us. I had not many problems because I have an Indian passport and in actuality I do not even require a passport. Stayed the night at a hotel after our guide and the driver from Sakten Tours and Travels had come to pick us up.

... then red hot stones were dropped behind the partition, which made the water boil. We were encouraged to get in immediately and not to move. Sangay then lit some candles and sat around talking to us, adding more molten stones and laughing at our pain. I was still red this morning! A defining moment to the trip. Hope all is as well with everyone at home. love Vicki

Finally, after three days of travel, I'm in Bhutan. After all the planes, taxis and minibuses, the Bhutanese border official just took my word for it that I had a visa and let me right through....ha. I'm working off of dial-up at the Druk hotel (it took me 15 minutes just to get to the Travelpod homepage!) so this will be short and sweet (and probably the last entry until I get back in ...

Our incredible adventure continues, with so many treasures along the way. So many Dzongs to mention. All so distinctive and unique unto themselves. We feel like we are the only tourists as we barely see any. Off in just a few to start our trek up into the Himalayas; with Guide, chef, pack horses and a Dining tent and Outhouse to boot! I have to see this! Hope to post again from Paro - our last stop in 5 days @ the Gentry Palace.

... of dogs and a small tea shop that served us some hot tea and noodles . The cold breeze tickled the bones as we stopped and stared hard at the placid clouds , tugging at the mountains . A bright shaft of sunshine pierced through our skin as we let the heat in and rubbed our frozen fingers in glee . It was just us, the dogs and nature at its silent best . .

... village watching. Then we went through a huge thunderstorm which soaked our packs which were on the top of the bus. We finally arrived just after dark to be met by our guide Phub and our driver Tcheko, who had been worried about us. They were a welcome sight in their Gho's, the national costume of Bhutan. After helping us through customs we checked into a nice hotel. We didn't quite feel we were in Bhutan yet as Phuentsholing being a border town had more of an Indian feel.

... flags in the warm breeze for some time. Next down to the best tourist attraction of Phuentsholing, the Crocodile Breeding Centre (or as Phub described it, the Mosquito Breeding Centre). Actually more fascinating than it sounded. Sat in the park as it got dark, and enjoyed being back in Bhutan and then went and had dinner with Phub's friend, a senior immigration officer.

... Paper Factory, circumambulation round the National Memorial Chorten then back to Plum's for lunch. In the afternoon we went to the weekend market and then had some free time wandering around Thimphu. Back to the hotel for more hot baths. In the evening we had a dinner engagement with Soenam, our host and her husband. We went to her house and met some other tourists but unfortunately Miranda's cold was too bad and she had to make her ...

... culture and tradition. In fact, the coronation of the King on 2nd June 1974 marked the first time that Bhutan opened to the world, with the international press being allowed into the country. Today Bhutan is open to tourists with a budget strictly not of the shoestring variety, and provided the trips are kept within defined restrictions. This system of imposing high prices for the privilege ...