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. 

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.

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