Travel Buddies: Pete & Joan

Living the Dream, One Trip at a Time

Paro

To get to Paro, we drove back across the Dochula Pass again, only this time, experienced as we were, it seemed faster and easier! The views were just as spectacular, though; no one needed a barf bag this time!

Looking at the Himalayan landscape is breathtaking and awe-inspiring!   The grandeur of the world’s highest mountain range, with its towering peaks, deep valleys, and dramatic landscapes, evokes a total sense of wonder and reverence. It is easy to feel a profound appreciation for the magnificence of this planet we call home.
Tiny villages are nestled in the valleys, and people in these remote settlements must survive by living VERY harmoniously with the land!
 

Views around Paro

The rice fields are still beautifully golden, and harvesting, all by hand, is in progress.

Paro is home to Bhutan’s tallest building, the Ta-Dzong, which is 72 feet) high, and has 6 floors. It was completed in 1649.

Running into a Royal!

Our hotel, the first night in Paro, was across the water from a local bar, so the group decided to take time (our last night in Bhutan) to go for a drink. Our guide, Tensin, came along, and since it was ‘after hours,’ he decided to dress in jeans and a T-shirt. Upon arriving at the bar, he noticed security men outside and learned that a ‘Royal Family’ member was present.

Unfortunately, Tenzin could not go in because of his casual dress and returned to the hotel to change into his gho! The rest of us went in and ultimately discovered it was the brother-in-law of the king, who happened to stop while on a bike ride! One of our avid cyclers, Alice, spoke at length with him about his bike (not realizing at that point that he was the Royal!) Others just had a short conversation (after he approached us) about where we were from. He spoke about many locations he has visited in the U.S. (Tensin warned us we could NOT take pictures of whoever the Royal was!)

Unfortunately for Tensin, he returned appropriately dressed after the royal left! Too bad….the Bhutanese people love and respect their royal family. Pictured below is our hotel from across the water!

Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

This is the day we had all been waiting for or worried about!!! The Tiger’s Nest, also known as Paro Taktsang, is one of Bhutan’s most iconic and sacred sites and perhaps the most famous landmark in Bhutan.  

The main temple is seemingly impossibly perched on a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor, at 10,000+ ft. This is a place of pilgrimage for some and a thrilling and mystical hike for others.  Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to the monastery’s site on the back of a tigress from Tibet and meditated there for three months—thus bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

It is one steep and amazing hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery! Round trip, the hike is approximately 3.7-4.3 miles…… a trek offering stunning views of the mountains and landscapes. The trail is moderately challenging, with uphill sections, steps, and uneven terrain. But the altitude is the factor that was a concern for Pete and I.

Seven of the nine in our group did the first hour on horseback. 

About an hour in, we stopped at a tea house and were allowed to continue the grueling hike….on foot!

At the cafe before taking off on the hike! The ultimate goal, high behind our heads!
Our NEW GOAL!!! Hike up to just over 10,000 ft.!! His new heart monitor and my new blood oxygen problem were new to us….we were just being cautious! No, it was not an Excuse!!

The entire group started the hike; in the end, 6 of the 9 made it to the Monastery! That was amazing, considering the age group we are traveling with, all in their 70s!! We were highly impressed by our fellow travelers!

The reward at the end!!! A delicious picnic lunch under the tent!

Our Last Night in Bhutan….Acting Like Bhutanese!!

We were offered the option to dress like a Bhutanese for our ‘Farewell Dinner’ and entertainment tonight!

The Bhutanese traditional dances are integral to the country’s culture and heritage. These dances are often performed during religious and secular events, festivals, and celebrations. There were two types of dances: religious and secular.

Zhungdra is characterized by slow, graceful movements and is accompanied by traditional Bhutanese music. The dance often tells stories of love, everyday life, and historical events.
Cham dances are sacred masked dances performed by monks during religious festivals, especially in Bhutanese monasteries (dzongs). These dances are believed to invoke deities, ward off evil spirits, and bring blessings to the onlookers. Each mask in Cham dance represents a specific deity, and the dancers wear vibrant costumes adorned with intricate designs and ornaments.