Road to perdition

Bumthang

I love this city best, from this trip. Probably not because of what is in this city, but perhaps my whole experience during the stay in this city.

view of Bumthang town

Rincheling Lodge
This is where we stayed in Bumthang, and I highly recommend it. The food served here is one of the better ones I have tasted throughout my trip and of coz the best Ara I tasted to date in my life (aka rice wine. Was told that Bumthang brews one of the best Ara in Bhutan). The food and Ara are all prepared and brewed in-house by the wife of the boss of this lodge.

Jampey Lhakhang - a sacred monastery built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan KIng, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.

Kurjey Lhakhang
It was where Guru Rinopoche (aka Guru Padmasambhava) meditated in the 8th century, and in one of the temples it contains a rock with the imprint of Guru Rinopoche's body; thus considered the holiest part of the whole temple.

Ravens - National bird of Bhutan

view from Dozam (aka Stone Bridge)

Jakar Dzong (Fortress of the White Bird)

Ura Valley
is the highest of Bumthang's valleys. It is believed to be the earliest inhabited place in Bhutan. This should be part of your itinerary when you visit Bhutan. The view is spectacular.

view of Ura Valley

Prayer flags at Mebar Tso (or burning lake)
One of Bhutan's sacred pilgrimage sites where scriptures hidden by Guru Rinopoche was recovered by Terton Pema Lingpa in 15th century.

Chelala - the highest point on Dantak Roads. Altitude: 3988m

Punakha

It used to be the capital of Bhutan till 1955. It is still the winter residence of the central monastic body.

view of rice terraces in Punakha

Punakha Dzong (also known as Palace of Happiness) It's a massive structure at the junction of 2 rivers and also the most beautiful and well-known fortress connected to Bhutan's historical traditions.

Wangdue Phodrang
Said to have named after the Dzong in Wangdue. In the 17th Century, this city played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern Bhutanese Dzongkhags.

Wangdue Dzong

Trongsa
The central most Dzongkhag of Bhutan.

Trongsa Dzong (or Fortress on tip of a Conch) is the longest Dzong in the Bhutan.

Thimphu - Capital of Bhutan

Thimphu

National Memorial Choeten
A sacred shrine built in memory of the 3rd King. It is dedicated to world peace and prosperity.

Worshippers at the Choeten

Tashi Chhoe Dzong (aka Fortress of the Glorious Religion)
Bhutan's administrative and religious centre. Also houses the throne room of His Majesty the King and government ministries.

Below are some pictures take at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (or School of Arts & Crafts).

a student doing his drawing before commencing on his wood carving

some of the final products of the students from the wood carving class

clay statue-making class

weaving in progress (the school also has weaving classes. but these 2 pictures were not taken from the school, it was taken from a commercial weaving factory, using silk as the material)

painting class

on our way drive up to Tango Monastery

prayer flags along the way

rock wall painting of Guru Rinopoche

Semtokha Dzong (5 miles from Thimphu)

It is the oldest Dzong in the country and now houses the Institute of Language & Cultural Studies

Dochula Pass
It is the most known pass in Bhutan, you will usually need to go by this pass when travelling between Thimphu and Punakha or Wangdue. There are 108 chortens, called "Druk Wangyel Chorten", built by the queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, to honour His Majesty the 4th and his people for their victory in the war fought in the southern region of Bhutan in 2003 and for the benefit of all sentient beings.

On a clear day, and if you are lucky, you can have a picturesque view of the Himalayas mountain ranges at the pass.

Bhutan (Druk Yul)

mountainous view from Druk Air (their national airline, and the only airline)

view of Paro, Bhutan from Druk Air

Bhutan (Druk Yul) - means The Land of the Thunder Dragon

Have finally step foot into the country which I've always wanted and dreamed of going for years; since the day I've come to know of the existence of this country, year 2002. Cost was undeniable one of the key in delaying the plans. And I must say this is definitely one place you should go at least once in your whole lifetime.

Many have asked and compared between Tibet and Bhutan. Personally, in terms of scenic views, I don't think Bhutan has the most impressive view if you compare to others like Tibet, or even Himalayan mountains in Nepal. But Bhutan is a much warmer (not in terms of temperature) place to go to; not as harsh as Tibet. During my 11 days there, I did not spot one beggar on the streets. The place is generally clean and safe. And you feel welcome to be visiting at their country. Tibet may not be the easiest place (as in the natural environment, temperature, altitude, cultural living etc.) to travel in but Bhutan is.

My deepest impression of Bhutan.... I have never felt the world so quiet, whether it's in the day or in the night. It's peaceful, it's serene, it's calm. You naturally get absorbed into what's around you.

Paro - altitude: 2,280m

Kyichu Lhakhang - one of the oldest temple & most sacred temple in Bhutan

view from Drukgyel Dzong (it's a fortress built to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invasions)

morning sun rays, on our hike up to Taktshang Goemba (a monastry) aka Tiger's Nest

Taktshang Goemba (a monastry) aka Tiger's Nest - perched on the side of a 900m cliff above Paro Valley. It's a 2-3 hours hike in total.

Paro Dzong (or also known as Ta Dzong)
It was once a wath tower for the defence of Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of 17th century. It is now re-established as the National Museum and also rated among the best natural history museums in Asia.