I thought I would put up a post about our time in Bhutan. So many picture were taken that I can only put a very small percentage up on the site. We saw some wonderful things and have both left enamored by the culture and, though we were warned otherwise, by the food. Bhutan is set to change rapidly and probably radically as it continues to open up to the world. If you can go, go now.

Today we said goodbye to our guide and the peace and quiet of Bhutan and dived head first into the chaos of India. Quite the shock to the system after the Buddhist reserve to arrive in the frankly dirty and chaotic border town of Jaigon. After a fun half an hour getting all the appropriate stamps from the appropriate authorities we headed off into West Bengal to Darjeeling. We could have, by the way, just left Bhutan and entered India without anyone the wiser. It was only our attentive guide, and my realization we would have trouble leaving India if we lacked an entry stamp, that reminded us that checking in with the authorities was probably a good idea. The process in India obviously took longer, but I think that's because the poor guy sees so little activity he wanted to stretch it out and chat with us.

Pictures are of (1) road side stupas and Buddha, (2) the meditation room at the Zhiwa Ling hotel, (3) the hotel's carved and painted columns, (4) our guide being served Ara, (5), Mum and the local pig food, (6) textiles, (7) the national sport, archery, (8) only for tourists because no one can eat the food with as much spice as the Bhutanese, (9) a Hornbill, very lucky spot, (10) Mum and Kelsang at the final temple in Pheunstholing.

La voyageuse perdue