Driving up along the rice terraces to reach the Zangdhopelri Hotel |
The Zangdhopelri Hotel is among the rice terraces high above Punakha |
One crop of rice is nearing harvest, while the other is the bright green of a fresh young plant |
These rice terraces are about 5 km south of Punakha Dzong |
Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
The patio bar of the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Bhutan |
We found the bar! Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
At the Bar, Zangdhopelri Hotel |
Terrace in front of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
Me at the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
Prayer flags on the bannister |
View from the patio bar of the Zangdhopelri Hotel |
Zangto Pelri is named after the paradise of Guru Pinpoche |
Living among the rice terraces in Bhutan |
Wall Mural of Takstang (Tigers Lair), the famous temple near Paro we will visit later in the trip |
Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
View from our chalet at Chalet of the Zangdhopelri Hotel, Punakha |
The Puna Tsang Chu River south of Punakha |
Khuruthang, the modern town serving Punakha |
Maturing rice in the terraces overlooking the Puna Tsang Chu River |
Rice terraces and river south of Punakha |
Khuruthang Lhakhang |
The chorten of Khuruthang Lhakhang |
Punak Tsang Chhu River, Punakha |
Panoramic view along the west bank of the Puna Tsang Chu River |
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, 7km north of Punakha |
Rice terraces to the north of Punakha |
It's a 45 minute climb to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
Use Me! Little box of Nyezergang Choeten |
Wire suspension bridge across the river |
Crossing the river to reach Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
Hiking through the rice terraces |
The first part of the hike is an easy stroll through the rice terraces |
After the rice terraces, it's a steep climb |
Hiking through the rice terraces to reach the hill of the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten |
A lonely farm house on the edge of the rice terraces |
Rice terraces and farm house, Bhutan |
Green rice, Bhutan |
Looking down the valley towards Punakha |
The ascent of the hill begins |
To Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten |
The Mo Chhu, Mother River, as it flows downstream towards Punakha Dzong where it will join the Pho Chu, Father River |
The fine blue sky we had in Thimphu has given way to cloudy skies here in Punakha |
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, constructed in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of Bhutan |
Pillar emerging from the jaws of a beast |
Tandin and Dennis resting after the climb |
Dennis leaning against one of the small stupa shaped decorations |
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten |
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten |
The bus of a larger group at the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
BTCL - Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd |
Map of Bhutan depicting the 20 regions of the country and their principle Dzongs |
Another view of the rice terraces from the Zangto Pelri Hotel |
View from the Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
Rice terraces, Zangto Pelri Hotel, Punakha |
The modern town of Khuruthang, Bhutan |
Khuruthang, Bhutan, the modern town serving Punakha |
Market Day - Khuruthang |
Market Day - Khuruthang |
Bag of chili powder, Khuruthang Market |
Garlic and green bananas, Khuruthang Market |
Khuruthang Market |
Indian man shopping for vegetables, Khuruthang Market |
Khuruthang Market |
A simple scale for weighing the chilis |
Khuruthang Market |
A smile from a market hawker in Khuruthang |
Like elsewhere in the country, the people here wear the traditional clothing of Bhutan |
Khuruthang Market |
Khuruthang Market |
A smile and a chuckle |
Red onions and potatoes, Khuruthang Market |
Khuruthang Market |
Dennis tries his bargaining skills, Khuruthang Market |
Rice terraces and simple adobe houses near Punakha |
A small heard of cows on the road near Punakha |
A village temple near Punakha |