Timphu, Bhutan, May 2, 2026

On our first full day in Timphu, Bhutan, the capital, we visited the Takin Preserve which has a collection of takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and a blue sheep, a species of mountain sheep, sambha deer, of which two large bucks were practicing sparring, cute barking deer running around the enclosure, a gorah, yaks, and a couple of colorful native birds. A short visit to the museum of a traditional medicine hospital/clinic. The Bhutan government pays for both traditional and western medicine for the people. Lunch at a nice tourist restaurant including the national dish: a sauce of cheese and slices of mildly spicy peppers. We then visited a small handmade paper factory (making about 300 sheets per day mostly for Buddhist writing) and the traditional crafts next door of weaving (a small table runner - absolutely stunning- was $3800 US), thanga painting (highly detailed, often geometric paintings), and wood mask carving. With the rest of the afternoon free, we visited the souvenir stalls and bought a couple of table runners - with a young woman weaving table runners in the stall. Fun day!Read more