Bhutan

[pkong1008]

At Ha. Our friend intends to build some houses here for home-stay. He says tourists may get too tired of seeing dzongs all the time and may want to stay in the countryside. He says the houses will be ready by the end of this year.

Our friend, Tshering, welcoming us to his home.

We had nasi lemak which is also served at his hotel. Bhutan Metta in Paro. On our last day, we had bah kut teh and claypot rice at his hotel.

 

[pkong1008]

Some very friendly people we met in Ha

 

[pkong1008]

Back to Paro. A view of the airport

 

[mettaxu]

Hi pkong, thanks for the great photos. Btw I though photography is not allowed there by the Chinese government?

 

[snapsnapsnapsnap]

Very good series. Have a calm feeling when looking at these pictures. keep it coming!

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks, mettaxu, for your comments. I think you may have mistaken Bhutan with Tibet which is under the Chinese government.

Thanks, snapsnapsnapanap, for your interest. Will post as I have free time.

 

[pkong1008]

Paro Dzong.

It was under renovation when we were there.

They are building a staircase for a shorter but not necessary easier access to it.

A view from the balcony of the Paro Dzong.

 

[oksoks]

Very nice series bro. Thanks for sharing.

 

[pkong1008]

Met some school children there.

On our way to the Taktsang Monastery.

At the beginning of the climb, you can pay to get these ponies to ride up to about half of the journey.

From the beginning here, you can see the Taktsang Monastery and get an idea how high you'll need to climb.

 

[pkong1008]

Someone I know told me it's quite scary to ride these ponies up as sometimes you're on the edge of a slope. Perhaps, I should had taken a risk as I found the climb very challenging and exhausting. I took only my D600 and 2 lenses, the Nikon 50mm f1.8 and the Sigma 50-150mm f2.8.

This 18 year old works here. He carries logs of wood up the slopes.

This is the way you go up. No man-made stone steps. It's tough if it rains. So better to get a walking stick.

 

[pkong1008]

As you can see, the choice is yours- on your own feet or riding a pony.

When you reached here, you're almost there to the cafeteria. Maybe only half-way to the monastery if you're thinking of setting your foot on it.

Shot taken near the cafeteria.

 

[pkong1008]

Shots taken at the cafeteria with the Sigma 50-150mm. I did not make it to the monastery.

But I spend all the time I had, while waiting for my friends to come back, to take shots to create panorama shots.

 

[pkong1008]

Finally, my friend gave me this consolation shot taken by him at a closer range. The shot you see very often when the name Bhutan is mentioned in a publication.

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks, oksoks, for your feedback.

 

[Peterleenc]

Nice photos! What's the best time to vist?

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks, Peter. I went in May and the weather was fine. It didn't rain heavily when I was there. Some info I got:
Bhutan experiences a great variation in its climate. Summers are warm with average daily temperature ranging from 20 to 25 Celsius, while winters are cold. In winters temperatures are usually below 15 Celsius. So bring with you a couple of warm clothes and comfortable shoes to go with the weather, the terrain and the program. You might want to consider 'what to wear' for hikes, trekking and sightseeing, as well as for dinners, appointments and functions that we have for you.

 

[Redsun]

Wow!Thank you for sharing

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks, Redsun, for your comments.

 

[jtsky]

The Meemorial Chorten attracts many elderly Bhutanese on a daily basis who circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at the shrine.

Enjoyed all pics especially this one.

 

[sea-horse]

Nice series . It is a pity that you didn't reach the monastery . I was there in 2010.
Really brings back a lot of good memories .