What a memorable day! We started with an early breakfast at 0630 then were on our way to the mountain by 7. We were set to climb up to the incredible monastery that seems impossibly perched on a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site on the back of a tigress from Tibet, meditating there for 3 months, thus bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. It was built in 1692, but was destroyed by fire in 1998 and rebuilt.
The town of Paro lies at 7,300 feet of elevation. The Tiger’s nest is at 10,300 feet. We drove up to the start at 8,300. So we were to climb 2,000 feet of elevation in about 2.5 miles. Lots of switchbacks. Lots of rocks and steps. Lots of heavy breathing.
I paid 100 rupees to use a stick, for which I was grateful. Some people rode horses about halfway up, which caused us to skirt around horse manure. Up and up we went, with a good number of spots to rest a moment, drink water and admire the views.
We reached the prime viewing spot, then had to decide if we were going to continue on to the monastery. It meant climbing down 350 steps. Onward! But there was a railing, which helped. We finally reached the goal where we doffed our shoes so we could walk through 4 of the temples. It’s incredible to think of this building up on the cliff and how it was built and is sustained. As usual, no photos were allowed inside.
On the return down after walking back up the 350 steps we met some others debating about going further. I mentioned that I thought it was well worth the effort and besides they were much younger than us. I stated our ages and they began clapping! Made us proud of our efforts.
About halfway down we stopped at the tea house for some much deserved refreshment. Espresso and chocolate cake were in order!
Finally we reached the bottom of the trail to be greeted with waving arms by our travel mates.
We headed off for an enjoyable lunch to replenish ourselves. A short trip back to the hotel to shift gears before Cyndi, Jane and I went off for one last Bhutanese experience. A hot stone bath! Just what we needed after all that effort on the mountain. Now this was nothing like I’d ever experienced. We drove to an old farmhouse where they had the baths set up in a separate building. Multiple rooms so you could be together or separate.
First we were shown around to understand how this was done. The stones are all heated in a fire, then picked up with iron tongs and plunked into a bucket to take the ash off.
Then the stones are put into the vats to heat the water. We entered our room where we undressed and climbed into the vats from the other side of where the stone was placed. In the mineral water was also placed herbs. It was hot! But felt great, easing our aching joints.
When we wanted it hotter we banged on the wall to tell them to add another stone. Or if we wanted it cooler to add cold water. After 35 minutes we felt refreshed and got out on wobbly legs. Dressed again we rested outside prior to driving back to the hotel.
Tonight we met for a farewell dinner as this is our last night in Bhutan. We all shared what we thought were our highlights of the week and our appreciation of our amazing tour guide, Passang. Tomorrow we fly to Delhi to begin the India portion of our journey. I hope you’ll stay with us!
