Out of Norm Travels

[transferred from my other blog, http://mty-sensa.blogspot.sg/2010/07/farewell-to-bhutan.html ] When I wrote this, I was sitting in Paro airport waiting to board the only flight out of Bhutan to Bangkok ETD 1150am.   My room-mate asked me this morning if I am happy to leave Bhutan . I replied that I am neither happy or sad to leave as although I have enjoyed my 8 full days of travelling in Bhutan , I am grateful for the experience yet thankful to be back home soon in Singapore .   My most memorable experience in Bhutan is the sight of Tiger's Nest or Taktshang Monastery in Paro . I opted for a horse ride up to the holy place which is some 45mins-1hr by walking. It was an enjoyable albeit sometimes nerve wreaking experience as the horse tended to trot along the cliff edge as it goes up the mountain side.   What was special for me to lay eyes on the monastery is that it has come to represent Bhutan to me. In almost every literature about Bhutan , a...

Transferred from my other blog, http://mty-sensa.blogspot.sg/   The guidebook said that trekking in Bhutan offers the best opportunity to experience the “real Bhutan ”. I cannot agree more although it was definitely the most challenging part for me personally for the whole trip. I think the altitude didn’t help with the “mini expedition”. I could hear the thumping of my heart throughout the entire 7 hours or so trek on the 1st day and will totally agree with my pre-trip assessment that this part of the trip is and will be a “once in lifetime experience” for me.   The trek started at Haa valley . This place is, according to the guidebook, only opened to tourists on 2001. We arrived in Haa valley after a drive through the Chele-la Pass from Paro which is also the highest drivable road in Bhutan at 3810m.   The town of Haa is essentially a training camp for Bhutan army by the Indian army. Wheat is grown here instead of rice as its elevation is higher than P...

I woke up in Thimphu on day 2 in Bhutan . I took a walk along Thimphu town before morning breakfast and sighted many colorful Buddhist motifs (usually the 8 lucky symbols) painted on the pillars and buildings. I do think Bhutan has the prettiest petrol stations and bridges as even those are painted all over!! My fav shots with a monk walking along the painted bridge and the most beautiful petrol station... Part of the Sunday morning was spent at the weekend market . I managed to get a nice scarf cum belt for US10. A bridge links between the handicraft and the wet market sections. All of Thimphu 's residents purchase their fresh produce for the week at the wet market section. The fresh produce market gives a nice authentic feeling to the whole place to save it from being too touristy. Here are my fav shot (1) Lady I got my scarf cum belt from (2) Bridge the links the 2 sections We had a quick stop at the Takin Preserve to take a look at the adult and baby Takin, the Nati...