Namgey Hotel Phuntsholing

... reallly need some training in typing . We were given permits only at 12 . We were supposed to get it only at 2: PM so we were a bit happy and rushed to the bus station to get mountain sickness bus drive to Thimphu! The Great Capital of Bhutan Empire

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.

... driver. My last day in Bhutan was the best: we spent the morning hiking to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Leaping Gorge; the welcome photo I have used). It was a 3 hour hike uphill all the way, at 2000m, so there was quite a bit of huffing and puffing involved, but completely worth the sweat. It is not quite as precarious as the photos make it out to be, but we ...

... Bangkok pothole trail). I actually got a lump on the top of my head from hitting the roof of the minibus so often. Bhutan: I like the people here already. They are so relaxed and cheerful in comparison to the Indians I have been meeting. I feel relaxed and safer too. Can't say I've seen anything of the country yet because it's pitch black, but I'll try to update again if possible. My ...

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.

... Kameng flowed along with us . It had just snowed. All of a sudden, it was white all around. Snow,ice and clouds - all around. A frozen lake , snow clad mountains wrapped in a valley of clouds was all we could see till we came to a gate guarded by dragons with bright coloured flags fluttering all around. We were at Sella Pass , where history and ...

... 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.

... Plains. We stopped for lunch in Siliguri on the way and at the same time got some money out of a cashpoint machine. Phub was a bit excited about this as he had never seen an ATM working before and was astounded that it gave us some money (so was I actually). Next day, after some immigration formalities we went to the football ground to see the 'March Past' in honour ...

... a bit rough as she picked up a cold after the trek, and slept most of the way to Wangdue Phodrang. At Wangdue we took a turning off to Punakha Dzong which has recently been renovated using the traditional arts and crafts. The temple in the Dzong is completely amazing with giant statues of Lord Buddha, Guru Rimpoche and Shabdrang Rimpoche. The huge temple has been hand painted and was totally awesome. Then back on our way to Thimphu ...

... flags adorning the mountain sky line, friendly people in bright traditional costumes mixed with the crimson-robed monks - a culture that is reminiscent of Tibet yet so uniquely its own. At the same time, English is widely spoken and one can have 'bizarre' sightings of computers in the administrative quarters of the dzongs, the massive white fortress-like monasteries-cum-administration ...