Bhutan Part 4 (the last installment)

Thimpu, the capital of some 50,000 people, by far the biggest city in Bhutan. I spent three days here getting to know my guide's friends and just exploring the city.
The clock tower square in Thimpu. I spent some time reading on the benches to the right
Indian tourists

Institute of Traditional Medicine Services
The Pharmaceutical Unit of the Institute
A sculpture class at the National Academy of the Arts

Doll-making class at the Academy
Big stupa
Handicraft market in Thimpu
Mini golf tournament with some friends in Thimpu. I was lucky and got runner-up.
Takin, the national animal of Bhutan
Face to face
On the approach to Taktsang, or Tiger's Nest
Taktsang
More Taktsang
More Taktsang
These tiny stupa-like objects are made from the deceased's ashes
Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) (click for video)

More Taktsang
If you look closely at the preceding pictures, you might be able to spy a large vertical cleft in the rock to the left of Taktsang. This small structure sits in the cleft
To give an idea of the topography
This meditation cave is found just behind that small structure in the preceding two pictures. As I was the first person to arrive early in the morning, no one was about so I spent my time very leisurely breathing in the atmosphere of the place.



The entrance to Taktsang Monastery. You are not allowed to bring cameras into the monastery so this is where my pictures come to an end.

Bhutan Part 3

I was lucky enough to be included in a volleyball game with this group of vacationing monks, who live in the Gasa fortress. Every year they take a week to bath in these springs, and when they weren't in the baths they were playing volleyball. They are all conversational in English and recieve a seemingly well-rounded education.
My camp at the springs
A "general store" and a colorful rooster at the hotsprings

The springs themselves. There were five of varying temperatures, each with a small shrine above the source of the water. There was a strange tension with other people in the baths most of the time, but once or twice it was relieved by a courageous monk who found a rare opportunity to practice their English. Although asking questions about their native language, Dzongkha, (which is said to be as different from Lhasa Tibetan as Nepali is from Hindi) was a good way to break the ice, I had very limited success.
We made it to the road after a relaxing 2 days at the hot springs. From the ride to Punakha
Delicious mango juice
Upper Punakha valley
Punakha fortress

Punakha Fortress, both administrative and spiritual center of the Punakha district. Also the home to the spiritual leader for half the year (they alternate between here and the capital, Thimpu)
Entrance to the Fortress
if anyone knows the name of this beautiful tree, please let me know. It mystified outside the entrance
Inside the fortress
Inside
Inside
Inside
My guide
Still inside


This room was used for the first round of the mock elections that was held earlier this year. The second round took place on the day before I left the country

Bhutan Pt. 2

A house and general store in Laya village
Me in Laya village
Common house ornamentation in Laya
Some kids singing and dancing. Just after filming this, I joined them in dance and they taught me a few Bhutanese dance moves. We played soccer later in the day, difficult at 4100m.

Gasa village
Gasa fortress

Looking north from the fortress, the direction from which we had just arrived
Door framing
Window framing

Outside Gasa village on the way to the hot springs
Continuing down to the springs. Looking north.

Looking back up the hill at Gasa fortress