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Suspension Pedestrian Bridge (RS) Bhutan Takin (National Mammal) (DS) Eagle’s Nest Monastery (RS)

Jomol Ari Peak (7 200m) viewed from Chele La (RS)

As one of my most enjoyable and
memorable trips, Bhutan will be
remembered for its friendly people and
Paro Dzong (DS)
intriguing culture, wonderful birdlife and
In the afternoon we indulged in a bit of that is perched marvellously on the spectacular scenery. The narrow roads
shopping in town and observed for the face of a sheer cliff. We had the good which follow the contours of steep slopes
first time in our Bhutan travels a traffic fortune to visit the monastery, after and valleys and the switchbacks to gain
‘cop’ directing traffic from an enclosed, a highly memorable, exceedingly or lose altitude for river crossings, provide
elevated platform. All the buildings strenuous but very worthwhile travellers with continuous panoramic
in Thimphu, and in Bhutan for that 5-hour trek. A late afternoon trip to views of snow-covered mountains and
matter, without exception, are limited to a marshy area near town produced interest in the form of lofty waterfalls,
5 storeys high and they usually conform amazing views of a pair of Black-tailed crystal clear mountain streams, and
to a uniform Bhutanese architecture. Crake as well as the reclusive Pin- magnificent forests displaying beautiful
tailed Snipe. A surprise bonus bird flowering orchids, moss, ferns and
Pygmy Blue Flycatcher and Pygmy Wren which we flushed, was a Cinnamon lichen – and water-driven prayer wheels,
Babbler were the only new birds seen Bittern, my final lifer of the trip. chortens (shrines) and prayer flags that
that afternoon, and a Himalayan Wood adorn the various mountain passes
Owl was heard hooting at our hotel. Our tour was concluded with a meander which are traversed by intricately and
up the lofty pass of Chele La where Kalij ornately decorated Tata trucks that bring
Our final 2 nights were spent in a and Blood Pheasants offered further goods in from neighbouring India.
relatively luxurious and very expensive great views along the forested roadside.
lodge in the town of Paro, which Atop the mountain pass we were In summary, Bhutan is a country of
boasts several exciting and extremely awestruck with the spectacular view another world, of another century, almost
impressive buildings that display the of the high snow-covered Himalayan completely devoid of the ‘trappings’ of
religion and cultural heritage of Bhutan. Peaks in the far distance including the modern Western civilisation including
These include the Paro Dzong and very prominent and second highest traffic, litter (particularly plastic),
world-famous Eagle’s Nest Monastery peak in Bhutan, Jomol Ari (7 200m). pollution in its many forms, and crime.

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