Losar Tashi Delek

Tashi Delek

Where to start? On Thursday, it was New Years. If fact, on Friday it was New Years also! So, what an auspicious start to this new adventure and New Year to have 2 New Years Days. How lucky. As a group, we celebrated with Nancy, the Executive Director, at her house. She graciously served us many wonderful dishes that she said we would not get once we left. It was a wonderful send-off celebration and a great way to start the New Year with new friends in a new place.

On Friday, we loaded our things up on 2 buses and two Tolyota trucks and headed out. We looked like a pack of Gypsies. On the top of the buses were things like mattresses, suitcases, gas cylinders and the stoves, etc. It was quite a sight as we drove out of Thimphu.

We proceeded up a pass in the mountains and arrived at DochuLa Pass. As we reached the summit, and by the way, here it is difficult to tell when and or where the summit will be, the view was amazing. At DochuLa, there is a temple and a memorial to a one-day military action which drove out some Tibetians a while back. (Apparently the Tibetians relocated themselves in a valley and refused

to leave, and the Fourth King had to take action.) Did I say that the view is absolutely amazing. This view ranks right up there as one of the best I have ever seen.

 

So from there, we traveled down the other side into Wangdue province. We were lucky enough to visit the Punakha Dzong.

 

 

 

The Dzong used to be the capitol of Bhutan until one of the King’s moved it to Thimphu. This Dzong sits at the point of two rivers, and is probably the most photographed Dzongs in all of Bhutan. The large monk body from Thimphu is in residence there for the winter. As we entered the Dzong, their chanting became more and more distinct. Our leader, Karma, took us into the courtyard and explained the festival that will take place in a few days. At the end of the festival, a large three story Thunka will be unrolled which will conver blessings on all those attending. Wish I could be there for that!

Traveling toward the hotel, we managed to squeeze in a hike up to a famous temple; home to Guru somebody who is said to have had divine powers,along with other things. After arriving at the hotel, we were treated to a wonderful dinner and some farwell good wishes. During Nancy’s farewell remarks, the lights started to shake a bit and we got to expereince our first earthquake. Even though it wasn't an actual earthquake, it really was just a tremor, nothing fell or was displaced. In fact, some of the group who were seated at the table, missed the event all together! However, it is good to note that the platetechtonic boundary which creates the Himalayins is still active.

This morning after an early breakfast, we said our goodbyes. The 2 buses were off to Bumthang while I was in a car travelling to Phojikha and other parts to drop off 3 other teachers. The trip to Phojikha was quite an adventure. We climbed up the side of a mountain, and looking down from the crest, saw one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. If there is such a place as Shangri-la, I think I saw it today. On the way down into the valley I glimpsed several yaks grasing on wild bamboo. Once into the valley, I was able to spot a pair of black-necked cranes. The black-neck cranes are a seriously endangered animal. There are approximately 300 or so of them in the world. What makes these birds so incredible, in my option, is the fact that they MIGRATE OVER THE HIMALAYINS! That’s right, each winter they fly from their home in Southern Tibet to the Phojikha Valley in Bhutan. The car was able to stop at the vistor’s observation center where there were 3 powerful telescopes for use. I was able to watch these spectacular birds prune and dance around. It was a sight I will never forget.

Now we are stopped at a road block. The “main” roads here are like one and a half car winding paths that we might find in the Smokey Mountains: you know the ones where it is impossible to go more than 25 mph, with one side straight up and one side straight down! But to look across the valley to the other side is incredible. The mountain sides are dotted with the classic Bhutanese houses and terraced fields. Just breathtaking!

So, for right now, that’s about it. I think that this day has been absolutely spectacular, having seen my first yak AND black neck cranes. How lucky am I to be in such a beautiful place having the experience of a lifetime. And to think, school hasn’t even started yet, and you all know how I enjoy teaching!!!!!!