Bhutan - Day 9

Our first stop of the day was Dochula Pass as we drove east.

The 108 memorial chortens or stupas, known as the "Druk Wangyal Chortens", were built at the pass by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother, in memory of Bhutanese soldiers who died in 2003 Operation All Clear to remove Assam Militants from Bhutan. 

This pass is also where people typically view the Jigme Sangye Wangchuck mountain range, but it was all covered with clouds.  We were so lucky to see them yesterday. 

We then walked an hour on the Trans Bhutan Trail that stretches 403km from west to east in Bhutan.  This trail is what people used before the National Highway (really a 1 lane extremely windy road that has potholes and often unpaved portions) was completed between 1961 and the late 1970's.  It now takes around 2 long days to cross the country by car instead of months by walking and horse. 

Scan the barcode for more information

Trail is very well marked with signs for plants

This bark of the Daphne plant is used to make Dezo paper in Bhutan.

After walking we had lunch at a nice place where we saw how they used to prepare food over a wood fire.  Sawako found a new favorite desert of ice cream with a splash of Bhutan whiskey on it

More driving and we reached the Punakha Dzong (fortress).  There is one Dzong in each of the 20 districts.  They are used for government offices and by the monks as most have a temple in them.

Entryway - beehives are under the eaves

Beehives symbolize prosperity in Bhutan

This part is where the remains of Bhutan's founder are preserved in a sealed coffin.  Only the king and the head of the Buddha religion can enter.  The monks typically spend the winters here and the summers in Thimphu.

Back on the road we had several adventures on the way to our home stay in the Phobjikha Valley.

This is typical of the National highway

A takeout roadside stand

Yes, they have cacti in Bhutan

We did see a Grey Langur along the highway

Leaving the main highway, the road was dirt for most of the way into the valley

The last bit of paved road into the valley was blocked.  We had to take an alternate dirt road.

Phobjikha Valley

We stayed there with two other couples.

Homestay was part of a working farm

Hot stone bathhouse - these are pretty common in Bhutan.

Local kids who loved talking with us

Our bedroom

Wood stove used for heat and hot water, we ate in this room.

Overall a long day of 5 hours of driving, but lots of interesting things to see and do.