Paro, Bhutan

We have had three opportunities to see Mt. Everest dashed due to poor weather conditions.

For our flight to Bhutan we will get one more chance.

Visibility was not great but we can at least see some pretty impressive mountains while flying below the clouds.

We were told the pilot would announce when we were passing Mt. Everest.



Ladies and Gentlemen,  For those seated on the left side of the plane we are now passing by Mt. Everest.

Sorry conditions are preventing you from seeing it.  Dashed again.

Once descended below the clouds more of the impressive Himalayan mountains could be seen, even through hazy conditions.

Bhutan is a small country, approx. 18,000 sq. miles, about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.

Paro has Bhutan's only international airport.  Surrounded by mountains as high as 18,000 feet, Paro's airport is considered one of the most challenging in the world.  According to Wikipedia, in 2009 there were only 8 pilots in the world certified to land at this airport.  We made it in fine.

Colorful airport terminal building.

 

We found Paro to be vastly different from Kathmandu.  More of a rural setting.

The streets were wide and clean and not jammed with traffic.

Rinpung Dzong a fortress-monastery originally built in the 10th century sits on the outskirts of Paro.

The local architecture, even for common buildings, can be quite ornate.

After checking into our hotel for the evening we awoke the next morning to more than an inch of snow and still falling.





After some concern about road conditions our guide and driver decided to proceed on.

After only a few minute's travel, conditions proved too much.

Shirley chose to walk back to the hotel, Glenn undeterred headed for town and further adventure while our guide attempted to get the vehicles that were stuck on their way.

The fortress had a different look in the snow.

More stairs to climb.

The Rinpung Dzong Fortress is now used partly as a Buddhist monastery and partly for governmental offices.

 

Colorful wall paintings.

Colorful prayer wheels.

We were scheduled to hike to the "Tiger's Nest" Monastery but due to the snow had to settle for a distant view.

 

 

This is what we were hoping to see.

 

We visited a local farmer's home.  Rice is the primary crop in the Paro Valley.

The home was constructed 400 years ago without using any nails.

There have been some modern upgrades made including electricity and a metal roof.

We were there on a special day, the blessing of the crops, a once a year celebration which includes the entire family, approx. 22 attending.

Local monks performed ceremonies in the home's prayer room.

Local kids had fun with the snow.

The next morning the skies were clear and the snow was melting.

The local market was bustling.

 

 

Archery is a favorite sport in Bhutan.

 

 

Local dancers danced.

 

 

We enjoyed our stay in Bhutan.  Now for the flight back to Kathmandu...will we see Mt. Everest?

 

 

The skies look clear from here.

 

 

Then finally the announcement, Ladies and Gentlemen for those seated on the right side of the aircraft....NNNOOOO!!! we are on the left side.

 

Not to be denied this time Shirley quickly makes friends with a guy on the right side and snaps these all important photos of The Mountain. 

 

Cloudy at first.  But then clears nicely as we pass by.

 

 

Just as we were passing Everest I noticed the altitude reading on the monitor.  Wow, not what you want to see flying over the Himalayas!  Fortunately it was wrong.

 

 

Next stop Luang Prebang, Laos