Hotel Zangtho Pelri Punakha

... 8216;Tiger’s Nest’.
This site has been recognized as the most spiritual of sites in Bhutan
and many eminent saints have meditated in this area. Now it is visited
by all Bhutanese at least once in their life time. From the road point
the hike up to Taktshang, on a well maintained path, is up hills takes
around 2-3 hours at an average walking speed. On a sunny day please do
remember to carry sunscreen, water, walking stick and a hat.
The
Thimphu, Bhutan dorji

... of dollars worth of damage, one of the streams that runs behind the Spa, has become a torrential river and broke its banks and flooded into the Spa. All the therapy room have been destroyed and needs to be refurbished, river debris is everywhere and the insurers have to be brought in to assess the damage. This is really not a good time as we have important guests booking in November who have pre booked Spa treatments. Lets hope everything will be sorted out in time ...

... of the monastaries along the way, A senior monk from the area made her guess how many stairs led to the top, and she got it right! Good to see we are staying mentally fit as well. Our first night north of the capital was way up in the hills above the river, in a small village, where we participated in a homestay. It was an odd experience, as we felt as if we had displaced the owners for the night while they slept in the kitchen and we slept upstairs, but T assured us that 1. they were ...

... of which both partners discuss if they want to get married and do so if/when they want to. Most marry at 26-34 since they are expected to go to school and hold down a good job before starting a family. Gender roles are also very interesting per the traditional chores of rural farmers - women tend to the rice and patty farming with sickles and men are the ones that weave baskets. I've been staying in fancy hotels - three star maybe - which has been a ...

... their outfit, I had to settle for my mangy hiking boots. With Kitty all bundled up in her silk Kira, we were set to go. We each had chosen a white silk scarf to offer the king at the ceremony, so with those packed in our camera bags, we were off. The lineup at the palace gates was long and filled with amazingly dressed people of all ages. There were a number of Western faces, but by and large, this was a crowd of locals all excited to get ...

... and this was obvious to all. There is a monastery within the Dzong and many monks were milling around within the grounds. Most of the population still dress in National dress (it is essential if you wish to work in or visit any of the Govt offices or cultural attractions). The outfit for men is like a wrap-around knee-length robe, tied at the waist, with large white cuffs at the end of long sleeves. The look is completed with knee-length socks ...

... we arrived. There is the usual prayer wheel, which we spun and did the Bhuddist prayer Om Ma Ni Pe Me Hung And as I had impressed the local monks, they let us in the temple !!! It was small with three statues, so we left a donation because Lucy wanted to be blessed by a ten inch dick !!! That's another thing about this country, they are painted everywhere !!! And even after a donation, Lucy never got the dick, so we moved on Punakha Dzong Our guide said that ...

Friday, March 28, 2008 Free Day in Thimphu Dear Readers: Everyone has chosen to spend their final day in Bhutan enjoying shopping and the open air markets. Some get massages and one even a haircut and shave from the Indian barbershop. I spend the morning with our guide purchasing gifts for the farewell dinner tonight. It is also the birthday of one group member, and there ...

... s reading is on the topic of "A Genuine Smile," and it is full of wisdom and inspiration. My favorite part is when the boy compares a smile to the most cost-efficient form of energy. A genuine smile sheds a great light, and does not cost anything. We head out of Thimphu and up into the mountains, crossing the 10,000-foot Dochula Pass. At the summit is a huge hill with many Stupas. We can barely discern the high ...

Punakha valley is lower and therefore quite a bit warmer than the area around Thimphu . Like many others, the local Dzong was damaged some years ago (by a flood), so it looks rather new now. Some important battles between the Bhutanese and the Tibetans were fought here ...