Dragon Nest Wangduephodrang

... it needs to be replaced. This is one indigenous product that is always in demand. The sale of Handicrafts in Bhutan is as new as tourism. Items that were once considered just for everyday domestic use, are now produced for sale. The government (often with the help of UNDP and other external agencies) has established weaving centers and other handicraft centers around the country. These encourage the preservation of the skills involved in ...

an 8am departure from Thimphu today, as we would have a LONG drive into Central Bhutan. We would be on the road for about 8 hours or so, driving though the Himalayan mountains along narrow and winding roads at speeds 30Km/h and less - a wise speed given the twists and hairpin turns. Our first stop along the way was the stunning Dochula Pass, a collection of 108 stone chortens (monuments) dedicated by an early queen of Bhutan ...

... of about 100,000 people, but overflowing on this weekend as this was the coronation of the country's fifth King, and much of the country (population, 600,000) had come to the capital to take part or watch one of several ceremonies over the three day period starting tomorrow. This in fact, is why we were here also. Having made our way through throngs of cars and people, most in traditional dress, we checked in at our VERY comfortable ...

... but as they have not been captured yet, they filled it up with Takins. There were only three that we could see, and they were weird looking. Kind of looked like what you would get if you cut off a goat's head and stuck it on a cow !!! Folk Heritage Museum Basically an old house !!! It showed old tools and utensils. Was it interesting? Not really, but we ticked it off of the list !!! Textile Museum Same as above, but there ...

The first noise heard on the earth was OM. When you are in Nepal, certain parts of India and here in Bhutan, you constantly here that song, the prayer, and I am now hooked, and the worse part of it is I'm not religious Om Ma Ni Pe Me Hung I sing it all day, at every temple, stupa or chorten. The locals are impressed, but secretly, I've been brain washed !!! Off we drove into the mountains. Not hard really as they are everywhere, as we are in a ...

... deeply the fresh pine scented and cooling air of this country. We were quite pleased with our little cabin complete with a living room and a dressing room in addition to a real bathroom. What a treat after so many guest houses where the shower, sink, and toilet all occupy the same space. So far we had noticed some significant non-Switzerland traits. First off, while our view had big mountains, green hill sides, and a deep valley, the valley was filled with pretty rice fields - not ...

Saturday, March 29, 2008 Return to Bangkok / Farewell Dinner Dear Readers: We depart the hotel at 6am this morning for the 90 minute drive back to Paro. The day is beautiful, and we have the opportunity to take great photos of the High Himalayas from the airport before our flight to Bangkok. It leaves on time, and makes a brief stop in Dakar ...

... café for a few hours of very slow uploading to my blog. We meet later at an archery exhibition which is winding down for the day. We are allowed to enter the Capital Dzong precisely at 5pm, as that is when the government offices close. We arrive exactly on time, and have the pleasure of watching the King leave his offices. Unfortunately the guards prevent us from taking any photographs. We spend an hour touring the ...

Aren't cultural diff**ences fascinating? Wh**e I come from, the incident of a couple of raucously laughing, tipsy fellas prodding an unsuspecting female in the neth** regions with a 12 inch wooden penis would be construed sexual harassment. H**e in Bhutan, I (the unsuspecting female) was expected to be thankful for the good fortune this 'blessing' would bring me. Hmmm... not sure about that! Through a translator, I ...

Hallo zusammen, eine Nacht habe ich in Wangdue Phodrang verbracht, ein recht netter Ort zwischen Trongsa und Thimpu. Dort hatte ich das erste Mal Gelegenheit in ein Internet Cafe zu gehen, in Jakar gab es zwar eins, aber das war zu, wenn ich mal vorbeigeschaut habe (ausserdem war mein Hotel sehr weit weg). Das Internet Cafe hier war in einem Holzverschlag auf einem alten Computer mit 56k Modem Verbindung, aber immerhin, es funktioniert:-) Auf dem Weg von ...