Day 16: Thimphu to Paro

Day 16: Thimphu to Paro

Weather:  Very pleasant in Thimphu if a bit humid, same in Paro until the thunder and lightning started about 8pm

Quote of the Day:  They are a really cute couple!

THB and DB regret not leaving the fan on and window open at the Taj, the room gets very stuffy at night. THB is looking forward to waking up without dry month, probably after arriving back in E-ville.

THB didn't think it was possible to design a worse sofa than Amankora...Taj managed it

THB does his 7 minutes in a very nice gym and then we have Indian style breakfast. The dosas are excellent and we supplement from the buffet tables.

Cooked yogurt, very good

Lost in translation

Clever way to serve watermelon, built in handle

Ahhhhh, idli for breakfast (and dosas below) brought back memories of our S India trip

Definitely a turndown

Lots to see and do in Thimphu before hitting the road for the short ride to Thimphu.

The giant statue DB could see from her window seat on the flight to Bumthang

The view of Thimphu from the giant Buddha

Takin: head of goat on a cow body. We think it is an odd antelope

Birds sharing an enclosure

This is as close as we get to the takins

Tashi's high school is having a festival day

Closed again today

Courtyard of the Institute

Closed

We tour an old house "donated" by a successful businessman; much different than the house visits we made. Of course, pics not allowed, shoes off

Is that the Flaming Thunderbolt of Wisdom?

Apparently Bhutan has several golf courses: east to convert to archery ranges

The dzong of Thimphu; the upper right holds the King's offices and the King's palace is off to the right (no pics allowed of the royal residences)

Parliament near the dzong

THB finally gets a shot of the Bhutan flag a'flyin'

Decoration near the security checkpoint

The temple/assembly hall; we've seen a ton of these so decide not to take off our shoes and hats and put away our cameras

THB just got the advanced notice that Cosport will be handing the US tix sales once again. THB should put in his bid for tix at the Bhutan office as well

Anybody know this #30...Curry? Just another guy with a jersey fetish?

The restaurant is on the 4th floor, this is the only hint (there's no name on the 4th floor)

Lunch buffet in downtown, better than most because low in oil

A brief meet-up with Chencho’s wife, she in the midst of a PTA meeting (it’s Saturday), see pic above.

Pics of the Paro dzong, which was so crowded with festival goers we never got inside

Tomorrow: Tigers Nest

Ancient stairs

Before checking in to the Zhiwa Ling Hotel, we make one last visit to a dzong, the one in Paro that we were next to three days in a row! A brief visit to the dzong temple where not only can THB not take pics, the art work is covered by drop clothes to preserve them from light exposure. So we lift up the covers and admire while raising our arm as if giving birth to Buddha (it’s a story, a good one!).

The Zhiwa Ling is spectacular, a version of the Ahwanhee in Yosemite except better. THB is going to do a post on just the hotel because it deserves it and there’s a shared secret to come…it will be worth a look-see when THB gets to it.

THB and DB are the only diners...from 6:30 to 8pm. We did see 5 35ish Chinese enjoying drinks and snacks 

Cauliflower soup

Bhutan trio

Spaghetti and meatballs: pretty good!

A kira cloth (used for traditional skirts)  as art

Same-same

Dinner all by our lonesome: no Tashi or Chencho (they are staying at a nearby hotel) and nobody else either! There are two dining rooms, one is closed for lack of business and the other is…is…just us! We even stalled by having a drink in the bar first.

Tomorrow is an early start for THB: the climb to the Tiger’s Nest.

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