Exploring Thimphu

Our first day on the tour covers a lot of the cultural and religious history and current practices in Bhutan. We start with a drive up to a high viewing point

The Metropolis of Thimphu

 for the city and entire valley. Prayer flags are hung on the trees near the passes.

Prayer Flags

 Important building like the Dzong (fortress) are visible as is a new large Buddha statue, the largest in Bhutan, the gift of Korean and other friends.

New Buddha Statue

 The older buildings date to the 1600s. Several of the temples we visit go back to the 1200s. Our guide is very religious and is teaching us many things about local Buddhism. He invites to visit the temples and chant mantras (Om Mane Padme Hum) as we circumambulate the chorten (stupas). We go to the local mini zoo to see the national animal the Takin.

Takin In Action

 The name of the zoo (Changangkha Lhakhang Motithang) is longer than the list of animals there. We visit a heritage museum with a traditional agricultural house. Like all primitive houses it is well, primitive. Life was hard and not much provision for heat in the winter. Our guide asked us if we wanted to have a traditional lunch. Our guide and driver joined us and ate huge amounts of rice.  The guide remarked that they eat more rice in a day then we eat in a week.  We liked all the dishes.  After the handicraft museum we called it a day because Susan has a cold and we are also adjusting to the altitude of 7000 ft.