Yesterday just flew back to Dhaka and the Whitehouse Hotel. Discovered that it is connected to the Seagull Hotel. No wonder I am happy there. Had a super meal and everyone so friendly and helpful.
I am so excited to go to Bhutan at last. Flew Druk Air with views of Everest and flying awfully close to some mountains before landing in Paro. There I was met by my guide Drukba and Wangchuk the driver of the flashy big Honda.
The sun was shining and it seemed very much warmer than 6•c the pilot had said.
We drove along the river valleys past the capital Thimpu on to the old capital Punakha via the snowy Dochu La pass at 3050 mtrs. Near the pass we stopped for a delicious buffet lunch with views over the eastern Himalaya ranges most of the mountains over 7000mtrs.
We descended down to Punakha at 1250mtrs.
On the way we stopped at the Temple of Fertility by terraces fields near the pretty village Chimi Lhakhang. We turned the prayer wheels and later I watched some young monks getting their heads shaved. I took a picture of a house with a big willy painted on it. Will explain later the meaning of this.
At Punakha Zong, Palace of Great Happiness, we just caught the end of a festival. Lots of chanting, singing and dancing. Wonderful colourful atmosphere. The Dzongkha is massive and amazingly ornate.
Now in a delightful hotel overlooking the valley. Warm, comfortable and clean. Just had another delicious buffet meal (including dish of vegetables and chillies) and they even sell alcohol. Haven't seen that for weeks. Had an animated talk re travels with Anne Mette a Norwegian lady travelling with her husband and two sons aged 8 & 10.
Saw on Aljazeera news that there had been rioting in Dhaka today with many injured.