Sightseeing in green Punakha

The jeeps that bring us to and from the hotel. Can you believe the views Bhutanese people see every day?

 Bhutanese buildings and designs are so intricate

We visited a nunnery - Sanchhen Dorji Lhuendrup. The eyes at the top seem to be saying 'I've got my eyes on you' don't they? Not amused, untrusting eyes as of those of a strict adult looking at a mischievous child.

This is where the nuns have their studies. We saw a group of them having a Buddhist class inside. They also have to clean the place and cook and do all the housework.

Just couldn't stop taking pictures of the view

Going around Bhutan, you'll see lots of paintings of men's private parts on the buildings. You can even see small wooden phalluses necklaces. Apparently they're a sign for protection, there's a story about how a famous Buddhist master used his thing to subdue a demoness. This is how it came about that there are phalluses everywhere.

Punakha

On the way to Punakha we saw some ladies selling organic corn on the road side so we stopped to have some. The corn's really yummy! And so different from the corn we usually have. Grainier somehow and not so soft. But it tastes very real.

We were a bit puzzled when she showed this to us and our guide explained to us - first take a bite of the corn, then dip the chilli in the salt and take another bite! The combo was delicious! Corn plus a little salty and spicy flavour, yum~ And yes, the chilli was spicy but! worth it.

We were treated to this view entering Punakha and it really lifted our moods. So beautiful! And sunny and warm and pleasant!

There's something about the beauty of nature. Being in a concrete jungle makes you appreciate being in natural surroundings even more. As you can tell, one of Punakha's main industries is agriculture.

To get to Amankora in Punakha, you have to walk across a bridge.

And then take a buggy..Or it's around a 2km walk I think..Needless to say I took the buggy to save energy for hiking (actually i was just too lazy and hungry)

And this is what the resort looks like.

We had lunch outdoors, with this as our view:

I really enjoyed having lunch outdoors in the shade. The only thing was there were some bugs but that didn't bug me too much haha..good food, good weather and good air were enough to keep me happy.

We then tried archery and darts, the 2 most popular games in Bhutan. At which both I suck. Haha. I was slightly better at darts because my arm's way too weak for archery but the target for dart is usually much further away apparently hahahaa..oh well luckily I've never aspired to be a national archery or darts champion then hahaha

These are the buggies that we have to take when leaving or going to the hotel to and from the bridge.

We watched a folk dance admist the darkening night. The dancers went round the flickering bonfire, which casted light and shadows intermittently on the dancers.

Thus concluded my first day in Punakha

Thimpu - the halo effect

There's a big Buddha statue being constructed on a hill in Thimpu. Well..not quite on a hill but on a hillside.

When we got up there the sun was right behind the head of the Buddha statue creating a halo effect.

It's very awe inspiring because it's so big. I think this might be the biggest Buddha statue in Bhutan although I'm not sure.

I don't remember where I caught this picture but I like it.

On the way from Thimpu to Paro, we dropped by here.

 The guard is telling me off for taking a photo in that direction because the royal family went to the temple there and we're not supposed to take photos. I thought they'd already entered so it was ok but apparently not. oops haha.

I love Bhutan prayer flags. So colorful and pretty when they flutter in the wind. I think they're much better than joss sticks. Probably better than joss sticks for the environment too.

Tashi Chho Dzong

When we were on a hike we saw the fortress Tashi Chho Dzong and we really wanted to visit it so we were really glad when our guides said we would go there soon

I love the paintings on the pillars. Wonder how long it took them to do it?

Inside was a very big courtyard. Imagine a building with a huge courtyard in the middle, surrounded by the mountains and blue skies. So beautiful..

There are monks' quarters too besides the government offices. I think having them side by side is a great idea.

 These are prayer bells, you can turn them around and pray for peace

It's really beautiful there. I wonder if Bhutanese people can still see the beauty? Or do they just see it as normal?

Farmer's market & Art school Thimpu

We went to the farmer's market in Thimpu

Apparently it was built by the government. The government supports local produce. What struck me about the place was how organized, how clean and how lovely it was to walk around! So unlike our wet markets that seem uncivilized in comparison...Why can't our markets be like this??

Bhutanese people eat a lot of chilli. Our tour guide said they eat chilli as a vegetable instead of a spice haha..

This is yeast!

I love the colors and sights and sounds. So nice! and it didn't stink and it was so clean~~ hahaha i should stop gushing about a market really i sound so aunty..

We went to the art school as well. They had a statue of the four friends (famous folklore story in Bhutan) which you can read about here because I'm too lazy and I'll probably screw up the story anyway

The government built the school for free and students learn here for free too. I couldn't help admiring the Bhutanese government and also how the people also respected the government

Wood carving class - a student with his muses hahaha...

Embroidering class: the students are learning how to make the strips of cloth you see hanging from the ceiling..they can be often found in temples..

Sketching:

Painting:

Look how fine that paintbrush is! Must have taken ages to finish one painting.. They have to sketch it really well too because it's considered a sin to get the proportions of the gods they draw wrongly..Alot of people paint the walls and rafters of their house so it's quite likely these painters will be able to make a living after they graduate..

Like this:

I think it's wonderful how the Bhutanese government also supports the local arts. Wonderful wonderful! All buildings are also Bhutanese style which is one of Bhutan's charms.