Sun & Sea

Sipadan Water Village Resort on Mabul Island

As you can see, the water's really clear. But I'm kinda ticked off that these were built over corals. I somehow don't think this is very environmentally friendly. Couldn't they have built on shore and have boats that bring people out for a few days to go diving? That's how they did it in Cairns..What's the point of removing all the diving resorts from Sipadan Island only to move them to another island or allow the construction of resorts on another? Geez what genius. I don't support this kinda thing and I don't think I'll be staying there agian.

The rooms are pretty basic. The floor of ours was kinda sticky. I guess people walk in and out after diving so the sea water's pretty much seeped into the floor. The shower water was kinda salty too hahaha so my hair was terrible after a day or 2. It's quite a nice stay otherwise but it's definitely no luxury resort.

You should definitely go diving here because when we went diving we saw 4 or 5 sea turtles and they are just amazing and graceful. Especially when they start swimming after resting, SO BEAUTIFUL. I love turtles. I was in total awe just being near them.

On the way back to mainland we saw these huts. Our guide said that alot of them are illegal immigrants. I don't care so much about them being there but what got me really annoyed and upset was that there was a lot of rubbish in the water near the huts. The sea is NOT a huge rubbish bin or dumping ground for everyone!! If they wanna continue fishing in the sea illegally they'd better not continue dumping rubbish into the sea. 

Tiger's Nest

Parent's friend to tour guide: Why is the temple called Tiger's Nest?

Brother: because tigers lay eggs there.

All of us: -.- but laughed

For the real explanation, you can read it here. From what I remember, a great Buddhist master flew to the temple on a tiger, so my bro's joke wasn't so far off haha.

You can ride ponies halfway up. If you're afraid you'll run out of steam, then it's a good idea to do so. A word of warning though that the ponies prefer to walk on the sides so if you're afraid of heights don't look over the sides. The ponies can be quite mischievous too and try to irritate the other ponies or be stubborn and not move hahaha..

It looked really far and I was seriously wondering if it was possible for us to make it there in one day and back hahahaha...

It's interesting seeing Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) from different views and getting closer and closer to it

Some parts are quite steep and I felt sorry for the horses.

So close yet so far!

The last stretch (after crossing the bridge) was really tough because we had to go up and down a lot and also because of the altitude the air was really thin. I'd to stop quite often and I was really huffing and puffing.

We couldn't take photos at Tiger's Nest itself but the temple was very beautiful. The paintings on the walls were beautiful too. I can't imagine how they built the temple up in this remote area...

an old temple and ruins

I remember at another temple in Bhutan we met an old man who had retired and become the caretaker the temple. The temple was located on a hill so it was quite tough to travel to get food and supplies but he had decided on the path and that was it. His wife had passed away and his children grown up so he dedicated his life to religion. His daughter made the climb once a week to visit him. He spent his days keeping the temple clean, praying for a better next life for him and his dead wife, offering fresh water to the Buddha..Just a simple life.

Animals are not harmed in Bhutan as it's not good karma to harm them. I feel that even the animals are happier in Bhutan. They have a lot of stray dogs though. I heard that at night in the cities the stray dogs howl quite loudly.

We went to see the ruins of Dryukgyal Dzong that was burnt down because of butter lamps.

We took a different trail down and the view from that trail was stunning. Bhutan is so beautiful. I prayed a lot in the temples of Bhutan that it would stay beautiful.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

It looked really far and high up to get to so we were all thinking 'omg can we really make it there'

The walk ended up being not toooo tough. It was scenic and the weather was nice and cool too anyway so..

The inside was also very beautiful, the paintings on the wall were so intricate.

This is the view from the top, so beautiful- it's quite chilly though

Locals playing darts - we actually watched them play for like 10 minutes. It was amazing how far they actually throw the darts from!

We bought some nice vegetables from the market near Punakha Dzong. All the vegetables look so fresh and nice! We got the hotel to cook the vegetables and they were really yummy.

Chimi Lhakhang

There is a monastery called Chimi Lhakhang in Bhutan. It is also known as a fertility temple where you can pray for children. It is very famous and there are many stories about couples who after years of trying for children, after praying at the temple are able to conceive. Chimi Lhakhang actually means 'no dog temple'. Intrigued? Click on the link to read the story! Also this mention in the New York Times here.

To get to Chimi Lhakhang, you have to walk across a field. The beginning of the path presented a goat to us.

The path wasn't so difficult but it's a little far and it was quite hot! But the view is BEAUTIFUL. Bhutan is just beautiful. So we weren't bored.

I can't forget how picturesque Bhutan is. Can't you imagine this photo as a painting?

When we got there, it was time for the monks to practice their musical instruments for ceremonies.

It was actually really hot, the heat was quite intense so we were quite glad to have our umbrellas. The wind was quite strong though...

There are loads of stray dogs in Bhutan. If you stay in town you'll hear alot of them howling apparently. Luckily, where we stayed it was really peaceful and quite at night.

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.