The weather was very good despite it being the monsoon season (29 July to 8 August 2018). The 10 days trip was very very good. I enjoyed myself a lot and I hope my mum and sis did too. Nature is everywhere; right in front of our eyes. The first thing that we saw in front of us when we woke up in the morning was mountains, blue sky and clouds. It seems strange and unreal to me; that nature and development can co-exist. Humans and animals; nature and development; king and democracy; culture and education ... I'm unable to describe in detail but Bhutan is a special country. The land size is over 300,000 sqm but they only have a population of around 700,000 people. People just chat casually with one another and tease one another. Within 10 days we did 4 hikes including the challenging 7.5hrs up to Tiger's Nest. That was epic. We even hiked through paddy fields and got all muddy. Every day we laughed (including laughing at ourselves). The land of chilli cheese and potatoes. We met Chen Hanwei and Sheila Sim at the SG airport and stayed at the same hotel in Thimphu. We even passed by in our van and saw the 4th King cycle up the mountain when we were on our way to embark our first hike in Thimphu. It gave me more than I expected and taught me more than what I could possibly ask for - What is important in life?
From Paro airport > Thimphu (1hr ride. We stayed 3 nights) > Punakha (2.5hr ride. We stayed 3 nights at Hotel Lobesa, the best hotel of the trip) > Gangtey (2.5hr ride. Stayed 1 night. Recall the blackout and no internet access) > Back to Paro (6hr ride. We stayed 3 nights).
I like Thimphu and we went to a cafe across our hotel (Hotel Osel) and a cup of latte only cost 110nu or S$2+.
I like Punakha and the endless green fields; the guide and driver also brought us to the hot spring and prepared the picnic lunches; and the warm hospitality of the hotel staff during our stay.
I like Gangtey and its peacefulness and beautiful valley. A pity it was not the season for the black-necked cranes.
I like Paro; the extreme test of our physical and mental strength up Tiger's Nest and it was really worth it; the beauty of Haa Valley and strawberries and flowers and the craziness at Chelela Pass. Bhutan is so colourful that I'll never forget. I miss even having the whiff of cow dung in the air. =p
Thank you Passang and Tandin for making our trip so memorable!
Thimphu- first hike
Long drive from Punakha- Hot Spring & Picinic Lunch
Paro- Tiger's Nest
Paro- In Bhutanese traditional wear
Chelela Pass
Learning to cook Potato Chilli Cheese
