A five hour flight from Bangkok ends with a harrowing tween-mountain landing in Paro, Bhutan. I emerge from the plane to be met by crowds of people wandering all over the tarmac, taking photos and seemingly a lot of aimless wandering about.
The minivan heads towards the capital, Thimpu, stopping at this prayer flag covered iron chain bridge at Tamchhog Lhakhang.
I stand at the door of the bridge house, breathing in the crisp air at 2,100 m above sea level, and wonder what the next few weeks will hold. What am I going to find when I venture onto the bridge that sways and heaves so wildly? I have come half way around the world to the middle of the world, to a small kingdom sandwiched between India & Tibet. Beyond this doorway there is a world far removed from the daily grind of the West.
The turquoise glacial water rushes and bubbles below my feet, but apart from that there is absolutely no other sound. I have seen few people, buildings or even trees - am I a tourist in a country that has already shown me everything there is to see?
@nicolecampbell yes - but it moved so much with every step it was pretty much like walking on a trampoline & you had to judge the speed of stepping or it just "bucked" you over. The sides moved a lot too - this angle does not really show how wide the river was. It was a bit scary indeed!
Where did you say this was?? Just loved reading about this scene - I think there is more to this than what you have suggested but am grateful for any view! fav
@maggiemae I hope you will enjoy joining me on my journey through Bhutan. There are very few roads & villages, the people are quite 'poor' but have such an incedibly 'rich' lives because they treat each other, and their country, with such respect.
@laetitiapetrussa I did, & I want to tell you that I have been encouraged by your 'tadpole' diaries to go back & upload these holiday shots and add a commentry, so what I learnt & the experiences I had do not just fade away now that I am home. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge about the development processes of you 'babies'.
@maggiemae sort of --- :) The King actually abdicated to form a Democracy, so his son is now the King of a democratic country. I was amazed how much the people loved the Royal Family but when you see what the young king said at his coronation, I understand how truly wise his family is ---
"Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality." They have elections, and yet the King is still far more than just a figurehead. There are so may things about the country of Bhutan that seem opposing - it really seems to be a very unique blend of old & new 'ways'.
@ltodd That's a great idea, and I'm happy I inspired you. You can maybe write it so you can make your (printed) photo diary later. I'll follow your journey through this far-away country closely.
"Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality." They have elections, and yet the King is still far more than just a figurehead. There are so may things about the country of Bhutan that seem opposing - it really seems to be a very unique blend of old & new 'ways'.