Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet

Of the three countries, the Weather Channel knows only about Nepal; reflecting, I suppose, the general state of knowledge and interest on the part of the American public as a whole. (Since 2003 and Iraq, though, this is probably starting to change. See the book at this link.)

Went to Kathmandu, Nepal and Lhasa, Tibet and then Bhutan. Bhutan's only airport is in Paro, set in a stunningly-beautiful valley; we then traveled along the brink of fantastic chasms to Thimb/pu and Punakha and back.
 
There was a shooting war with India along the southern border as we were leaving; India would like to claim this Shangri-La for their own, and China, too, I suppose. Go yourself! This is one of the few places left on Earth that looks like Paradise, and it will soon be gone. (Sikkim and Kashmir are forever lost ...)

 

Kathmandu, Nepal

Rum Doodle bar, Kathmandu ... Everest expeditions put up Yeti footprints with their names
Snake charmers at Hindu temple outside Kathmandu Holy man at crematorium outside Kathmandu Holy man outside Hindu temple in Kathmandu

 

Bhutan

Bhutan: some kids wear traditional clothing, some don't Bhutanese kids with pets
Typical Bhutan residence: rice in the field in front and peppers drying on the roof Bhutanese Bhuddist monk looking at me from his window Morning mist in Punakha, Bhutan

 

Lhasa, Tibet

Buying sacred Bhuddist texts in Lhasa

Prayer wheels on the street in Lhasa

 Mandala Vendors in Lhasa
Everest above the clouds from a plane on the way from Kathmandu to Bhutan Tibetan kid in overalls Prayer wheels at the Potala

Departure
 

 

 

© George Fisher 1994-2004