Life in Bhutan: February through June in Photos

Dusk hours: the view from my balcony on a typical evening in Thimphu.

Pancake party at Shafik's house with a wonderful international community of friends.

Going on a day hike in the surrounding mountains of Thimphu. Got a little lost looking for a monastery, but had a great time anyway!

With Tshewang Dendup...who has been a special friend for me here in Bhutan.

More community: this time at Deer Park Thimphu, early may, during wisdom tea party. Friends brought cake and celebrated my birthday...so sweet!

My birthday dinner at my favorite hang out in town, Ambient Cafe, with so many of my favorite people in Thimphu!!! It was a feast and a wonderful time!

With Kheng Sonam Dorji, after he blessed us with his music and songs, at the Music Concert Series at Centennial Radio in May.

In June, I joined my friends Shafik, Lindsey and Kalim, on a hike to Chumphu monastery, a little ways outside of Paro, where there is a levitating statue of Vajra Yogini. WOW!!! No joke. Some photos from our day.

There is the monastery itself.

On the way back, a rural Bhutanese house, rice fields, smoke rising and a moist camera lens that created a lovely affect.

~~~

Peace,

Noam

Chelela Pass, Paro Tshechu and Punakha in Photos (MARCH 2010)

When Janet Greene was here in March we were lucky enough to have the chance to do a little bit of traveling with some day trips to Paro, Chelela Pass and Punakha. Here are some photos from our adventures together.

At the top of Chelela pass, a magnificent 360 degree panoramic view. We got so lucky with the weather. It was a clear and crisp blue sky. Perhaps the last weekend of such spectacular visibility.

Indeed, there is Mt. Jumolhari, towering at 7314 meters (that's approx. 24,000 feet)

Different sights from Chelela Pass...

Haa Valley and Sikkim in the distance...

A Yak!

Another shot of Mt. Jumolhari...

One week later we attended one of the most popular Tshechus of Bhutan, the Paro Tshechu. Which takes place every year towards the end of March. Compared to Thimphu Tshechu which I was lucky enough to attend in September, the Paro festival takes place in a much smaller courtyard, and feels so much intimate.

Then a couple of days later, we took a day trip to Punakha (the winter capital of Bhutan) which sits around 3 hours away from Thimphu by car. On the way to Punakha, we stopped at Dochu La Pass, where these 108 chortens stand!

Punakha Dzong.

The famous bridge leading to the Dzong...

Inside one of the courtyards in the Dzong...

A chorten in the near by town of Khuruthang.

Here we are (myself and Janet) with my neighbors (who own my apartment building)!

~~~~

Peace,

Noam