Bhutan update

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Duncan: As we're on the home stretch of our stay in Bhutan, I have almost no bad memories except being cold. Before we embarked on a three-day trek, we spent some time in the capital of Thimphu, visiting some of the spectacular dzongs and also spent a daytrip riding rented bikes up to a monastery higher up in the Thimphu valley. A very cool hour was spent in Thimphu watching archers engage in a good-natured local competition. They use bamboo bows and shoot at a target the size of a soccer ball from 150 meters away. When somebody hits the target, their team chants and does a victory dance. After all, when someone hits a 30cm target from almost 400 feet away, it's something to celebrate.\r

\r On the way to the start-off point of the trek we came over Dochu La pass (La means pass), where we were able to get some spectacular view of the Himalaya, surrounded by chortens (small Buddhist shrines) and prayer flags flapping in the wind.\r

\r The trek went up and over three passes over three days (two nights). We were able to carry nothing more than a backpack with a shirt and water bottle, as the cooks and horseman went ahead with the mules loaded with our bags and had tents up and hot drinks waiting when we came into camp in the afternoon.\r

\r The hiking was great- not too long, but long enough to make yourself feel like you'd achieved something. In the day it was hot hiking, but when we stopped for lunch or at the top of a pass we'd get cool right away. In the mornings and evenings we all wore polypro, a fleece jacket, a down jacket, and a hat and huddled around the fire to keep warm. \r

\r We've still got two more days, one of which will be the drive back to Thimphu, Although not too far kilometer-wise, the roads are bad enough that we can make no more than 40 or 50 kph. The views are worth it, however, and so are the people. Everybody we've met has been extraordinarily friendly, especially the children. They smile and wave whenever they see a westerner, shouting "HI! HI! WHAT IS YOUR NAME?! HOW ARE YOU?! BYE! BYE!" as we pass (English is taught in schools, so most children and a number of young adults speak it). Although we'll be back on highways and the modern world in Thailand and then Australia/New Zealand, I'm certainly going to miss Bhutan. There's something magical about the land of the Thunder Dragon where monasteries perch on the cliffs and mountaineering expeditions are forbidden for fear of angering mountain deities.\r

\r \r \r \r Prayer flags and chortens adorn Dochu La while the Himalaya provide the backdrop\r