Bhutan, Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas
October 5-27, 2011
BHUTAN - October 7-13, 2011
Page Six - Overland to Thimphu
Another view of Bhutan's beautiful countryside
A Nepali style Buddhist stupa in a small town in Bhutan on the way to Wangdue Phodrang town
A father proudly holding his child from the window of their home, knowing that I am taking their photo.
Entrance gate to Wangdue Phodrang town
Young school boys in uniform
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, founded in 1639.
View of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong from one of the rivers below
We drove from Wangdue Phodrang to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan where we visited this National Memorial Choten
built by the Queen Mother
in 1974 in honor of her son, the third king (from 1928 to 1972).
An elderly man visiting the National Memorial Choten
A lot of older people visit this Choten. Here some are sitting in front of prayer wheels. Since so many elderly people visit this site,
our guide said it almost served as an adult day care site.
Older people in traditional dress leaving the National Memorial Choten
in Thimphu
Entrance gate to the National Memorial Choten
Barking deer at the Takin Preserve in Thimphu. They only bark when they are scared. This one wasn't.
A takin at the Takin Preserve, the national animal of Bhutan
The Trashi Chhoe Dzone in Thimphu, "Fortress of the Glorious Religion" It contains the offices of the King of Bhutan
The National Assembly building. Bhutan was the first country in the world
to ban smoking in public and also the sale of tobacco. Western style billboards
are also banned as well as plastic bags. Bhutan provides free health care to its citizens.
Broader view of the Dzong and the National Assembly building in Thimphu Valley. In between and a bit to the right of the large
Dzong and the Assembly
building in the forested area, note the home somewhat hidden in the trees.
This is the current King's residence. His office is in the Dzong, the tall tower on the back right corner.
Woman weaving at the National Textile Museum in Thimphu
Photos of the King and his bride (now Queen) were everywhere we went.
Here a bank has hung a photo
in their honor. He's in his 30s, she is in her early 20s.
The big statue of Buddha under construction at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking Thimphu from a nearby hillside
The 170 foot high Buddha statue, when completed, will have 8 statues of Boddhisattavas.
Pat standing in front of the Buddha still under construction, giving you some perspective on just how tall it is.
Link to Page Seven - Bhutan Continued- Thimphu
Pat's Home Page