A long climb up the mountain

Today's adventure began with a 90-minute drive into spectacular pine and rhododendron-clad mountains to the trail head for our climb to Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also called Cheri Monastery. No roads up, so the only way to get there is to hike. We started at 8000 feet and went up to about 9000 feet which doesn't sound so bad, but it was uphill all the way. But what a sight! Built in 1620, it is still a practicing monastery similar to ones in Lhasa , but this one is in such immaculate condition with vibrant murals and gilded woodwork, unlike the somewhat dusty, faded, and poorly maintained ones we saw in Tibet. Unfortunately, we couldn't take interior pictures, but I hope the exterior photos convey some sense of the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent spot.

The afternoon found us back in Thimphu where we visited the extraordinary textile museum, and a "living village" which featured archery, a national sport, and the Fertility Garden (more on that later), as well as traditional dancing accompanied by salted butter tea refreshments (nasty stuff). We later visited a large stupa (aka a chorten) dedicated to a former king, and finished the day at an extensive produce market which had a lovely selection of dried yak cheese cubes (rolled in sugar) which are truly nauseating, at least to my delicate palate.

Tired and sore, we're heading off to bed now.Read more