Tigers Lair Monestary hangs on the side of a cliff, 10,200 feet up. We climbed up from the town of Paro.
The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government
From the Bhutan side, treks thru the Himalayas are limited. The locals believe that the peaks are sacred and mountaineering has been forbidden since 2003. Gangkhar Puensum is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world and will likely keep that status for some time to come.
The children were fascinated with our boats, and helped us carry them down to the river.
Most interiors allowed no pictures. This was one of a few places we could take pictures inside.
We stayed at a very nice hotel mid-way through the trip. The views were amazing (and I loved watching the Indian movies!).
The monestary monks performed abbreviated versions of their traditional festival dances for us.
Draped in cloth of silk and brocade, the monks wear masks representing saints, sages, deities, and animals.
Watching sacred mask dances is a spiritual experience -- the Bhutanese believe it can help acquire merit and liberation from worldly attachments, as well as reaffirm committment to lead virtuous lives.
These dances date back to the 8th century admist Buddhist traditions, but have developed with a Bhutanese flavor and culture
In Nov 2008, I spent a couple weeks in a little known country called Bhutan, nestled between India and China, high in the Himalayas.
Bhutan is a place that you will take with you when you leave. The culture is amazing, the locals friendly and welcoming, the whitewater incredible, and the scenary like nothing you've seen before. The travel and expense are worth it, and if you ever have the chance to visit, you will never regret taking it.
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