welcome to the kingdom of Bhutan
the gorgeous Paro airport
arrival in Bhutan with our guide, Thuji
our first meal in Bhutan at Your Cafe
Afghani malai momo
ting momo with kewa datshi
our bedroom at Khangkhu Resort
first hike of the trip
Zuri Dzong
National Museum and Paro Valley
Paro Valley views
downtown Paro
surprise set dinner
view of Paro from our hotel room
boarding our flight to Bumthang
our regional jet (larger than expectd!)
Thimphu views from the plane
cripsy rice for milk tea
homestay lunch room
pink Ara from a Palang
prayer wheels at Sherab Dema Village Homestay
trying my hand at archery
trying out lawn darts
Kurjey Lhakhang
Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) from overlook
after climbing a steep ladder
Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
Tang Valley views
Ogyen Choling Museum
Ogyen Choling Museum
Ogyen Choling Museum library
Ogyen Choling Guest House bedroom
Tang Valley at sunset
fixed menu plate for dinner
flower pots
Ogyen Choling courtyard
Ogyen Choling breakfast spread
our driver helpig Eric get dressed
in traditional dress for the Ura Yakchoe Festival
Tang Valley
water-powered prayer wheel
Ura temple
Eurasian magpie
donation booth
processional for the Vajrapani relic
Ura Yakchoe Festival
Ura Yakchoe Festival
Ura Yakchoe Festival
goosing people in line!
men sporting Tshoglhams - traditional boots
lunch in traditioal dress
prepping for our meal
Bumthang Chu River rapids
Red Panda weissbeer
River Lodge bedroom
Jakar street scene
resting yak and prayer flags
entrance to the Trongsa Fortress
posing with a very large tree
Trongsa Fortress
Trongsa Fortress
Trongsa Fortress
golden langur
Trongsa Fortress
Willing Waterfall
soup and veggie pakora
Bjiphu Chu Falls
macaque family portrait
Chendebji Chorten
this child tried to kidnap me!
dried yak cheese and Pelela Chorten
our room at Gangtey Tent Resort
Gangtey Tent Resort at sunset
chili garlic noodles
Gangtey Tent Resort
Rhododendron bloom
Eurasian tree sparrow
Gangtey Tent Resort reception
Primula
Euphorbia
yak migration
Gangtey-Phobji Nature Trail
black-necked crane
Lawala Pass
putting up a prayer flag at Lawala Pass
anchoring our prayer flag
hanging a prayer flag at Lawala Pass
Yellow-throated marten
minor goat delay
lunch at Acho Daka
path to Fertility Temple
prayer wheels at Chimi Lhakhang
valley views from the fertility temple
Chimi Lhakhang
phallic shop in Teoprongchu
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Gasleo Lodge bedroom
rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler
outdoor breakfast at Gasleo Lodge
Thukten Chhoe Tsuklakhang
our cabin at Gasleo Lodge
starting the hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten
Curcuma longa, aka turmeric
yellow coster butterfly
rice fields in Punakha Valley
Eric with prayer flags
golden Himalayan raspberries
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten
stupas and prayer wheel
views from the top of the Chörten
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten shrine
us at Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chörten
lizard friend
ready for our rafting adventure
on the river
al fresco picnic lunch after rafting
posing in front of the Punakha Dzong
bridge to Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong details
third courtyard of Punakha Dzong
common myna
Punakha Suspension Bridge
yellow cacti
selfie at Punakha Suspension Bridge
Punakha Dzong and jacaranda trees
planting a tree with a young monk
dungchen practice at Nyenzer Lhakhang
vegetarian set menu at Gasleo Lodge
selfie at Dochula Pass
Jampelyang meditation cave
Lungchutse Gompa hike - too muddy and no view
cheese momos at 60th Café
Ser Bhum beer tasting
Simtokha Dzong
National Memorial Chorten
our room at Thimphu Tower
Thimphu city view from our room
dyed threads at Green Weaving Centre
Thimphu Handicraft Market
Thimphu stoplight
fried momos at Zombala
whiskey drinks at Alchemy Pub
breakfast at Thimphu Tower
Great Buddha Dordenma entrance
Great Buddha Dordenma
Buddhist goddess statue
Great Buddha Dordenma
Great Buddha Dordenma gate detail
pilgrims at Great Buddha Dordenma
takins
Royal Takin Preserve
takin romance
muntjac
hiking with prayer flags
Thimphu valley views
tsa tsa memorial votives
Wangditse Lhakhang
Royal Botanical Gardens
momo takeaway with bag of spicy sauce!
lavender
Royal Botanical Garden orchids
one of many decked out trucks
pink rose at Chang Yul Park
Chang Yul Park rose garden
rose at Chang Yul Park
Centenary Farmers Market
Centenary Farmers Market
masala and cheese dosa at Mountain Cafe
matar paneer at Mountain Cafe
Tachog Lhakhang
waterfall on Paro Taktsang trail
cafeteria and Paro Taktsang
yellow-billed blue magpie
Taktshang waterfall
made it to the viewpoint!
Tiger's Nest selfie with our guide and driver
a lot of steps from viewpoint to temple!
classic view of Tiger's Nest
I made a friend on the trail
Paro Taktsang trail - 1700 ft elevation gain in two miles
lunch at Biryani House and Thali
recepticles for hot river stones
our hot stone bath setup
Eric's giant chair at Namgay Artisanal Brewery
dinner spread at Namgay Artisanal Brewery