Bhutan | Expect the Unexpected
“Let the trip take us where it will” was the unofficial motto of our time in Bhutan and the advice our guides gave us on our first day. Our travel from Gangtey to Bumthang was a case in point. Not every visitor to Bhutan makes the trek to Bumthang and for good reason: the highway is not for the faint of heart. Early and heavy rains meant that we encountered two major landslides and the five-hour drive from Gangtey to Bumthang (under 200 km) took almost 12. Continue reading “Bhutan | Expect the Unexpected”
The three-hour drive from Paro to Punakha crosses over Dochula Pass at 3100 meters – site of the Druk Wangyal Chortens. The 108 chortens (stupas) commemorate Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 war against insurgents from India. 
The vast majority of photos I had seen prior to visiting Bhutan were of monasteries and mountains. The incredibly fertile valleys and lush landscapes were a total surprise. Punakha is located at 1200 meters which makes it an ideal first stop for flat landers (those who reside near or at sea level). There are two major rivers: the Mo (mother) and Pho (father) that provide ample water for irrigation. 
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