We thought we had reached the top when we were told that we had to walk down to the edge of the cliff to get a closer view of the Monastery. So
We had to take this picture posing against the Taktsang Monastery in the background - as proof that we did make it to the top of the cliff...
And now for the individual pose starting with the most senior - Tiang
Then Ngoh's turn...
Su-lynn was next - and she requested for more of the beautiful blue sky for her pose.
Last but not least we have the "baby" of the group - Hsiao Yun...
View of the Paro Valley from the cliff where we had climbed to...
This is the Taktsang Monastery taken from the opposite cliff facing it - where we climbed to.
A shrine along the route. Note the offering of coconuts which is a typical food/drink offered to the Tibetan guru.
These were the flight of steps up from the cliff where we took "close up" photographs of the Taktsang Monastery. In the distance, the Paro Valley can be seen.
The climbers taking a rest before making their way down...
The much-needed rest along the way provided an opportunity for a chat between aunty Ngoh and niece Hsiao Yun...
A "gateway" decorated with colourful buntings along the route up the cliff high up Paro valley.
A picture of the Taktsang Monastery with the fluttering colourful buntings in the foreground. Some of the buntings carried religious prayers or verses.
A "victory" pose with the Monastery at Tiger's Nest in the distance after the four of us - Hsiao Yun, Su-lynn, Tiang and Ngoh - completed the trek up the mountain.
The four of us - Ngoh, Su-lynn, Hsiao Yun and Tiang made it up the Tiger's Nest after a 5 hours trekking and riding on horseback. Here Tiang is seen standing near one of the many local Bhutanese selling handicrafts and other souvenirs along the route up Tiger's Nest.
Khin, who gave up the pony ride after a short distance to theTiger's Nest/ Taktsang Monastery, was waiting for us at the base in the van for more than 3 hours. In this picture taken by Su-lynn, she posed for a picture beside the van.
We had a very unique and surprise picnic lunch amidst this natural setting - it is not often for cityfolks like us to sit on carpets and having a much welcomed picnic lunch in such a surrounding. I was only expecting a packed box lunch after our climb up Tiger's Nest.
The kitchen staff from our hotel, Sonam Trophel laying out our picnic lunch...
There was a flask with hot water to prepare tea, coffee complete with milk and sugar - as a starter.
The food were served in stainless steel "tingkats" and nicely laid out on the ground and we helped ourselves to the food - buffet style.
Here Aunty Khin and niece, Su-lynn posed for an intimate shot while waiting for the lunch to be set up.
A nice cuppa before the food... Note the nice carpet we were seated on.
Hsiao Yun, Khin and Tiang helping themselves to the food while the hotel staff stood behind waiting for their turn to eat with us. The picnic lunch was tasty - especially the sweet and sour chicken.
End of posting on picnic lunch on 25 November 2008
Along the way, we saw this boy, about 10 years old, standing at the entrance to a house. We beckoned to him and gave him some books and pens that we had brought along. We were told that this boy worked as a servant in one of the households and did not attend school - which according to Yeshei, our guide, is not allowed in Bhutan.
Further down the path we met these two children. One of them extended both hands - a respectful gesture, we observed prevalent among Bhutanese children, - to receive the stationery items we gave them. Bhutanese children we met do not beg or pester tourists unlike the children I have met in India during my pilgrimage and tour to Rajasthan.
We saw this house which looked like a squatter house. This house is obviously occupied by a poorer family - unlike the house that we were visiting.
Another village house - in a better condition than the previous one we saw. Most of the Bhutanese houses are built of rammed mud, stone and wood. They are shingled roofed and many are at least 2 storeys high.
This was the staircase, rather steep and with narrow steps, leading to the house we were visiting. From the architecture of this building, it was obvious that this household is quite well to do.
Hsiao Yun at the top of the staircase - about to enter the house.
A group photo of the four of us with Yeshei in the house. Su-lynn took this picture.
We were shown around the house by Yeshei and later by the owner 's son. Our hostess is standing between Ngoh and Su-lynn.
In typical Bhutanese hospitality, the hostess prepared some rice wine (called arak?) to serve us.
These are wine cups with the long wine container.
The hostess assisted by Yeshei serving the cups of wine.
Yeshei serving Ngoh a cup of rice wine. The wine tasted quite pleasant but as we were not sure of its alcoholic content, we were cautious to take a only few sips.
Our two nieces holding their wine cups in the Bhutanese way - as taught by Yeshi.
After a few sips, they were drunk - they were quite good actresses in feigning to be drunk...
On behalf of the group, Tiang presented our hostess with an ang pow - a Singaporean gesture to show our appreciation
Ngoh presented the hostess' daughter with some stationery items.
Here she is seen very happy after receiving the gift.
The family members of the household we visited. The son who is studying in high school hopes to be a teacher. He speaks good English. Note the respectful way he was standing.
The living room...
The heater /fireplace which is in the centre of the living room.
Our driver, Nigdup who took us to this house is on the right.
Inside the prayer room. The altar is within another room in this room. Note the tangkas (Bhutanese religious paintings) hanging on the wall.
The entrance to the prayer and altar rooms.
A poster of the new king - His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck - the Fifth Druk Gyalpo whose coronation was held on November 6 - about 2 weeks before our visit - is on the wall of this home. This poster and a few others - show the love and loyalty of the common people (Bhutanese) have for their kings.
On this wall, there are more photographs of the Bhutanese kings.
The kitchen with many pots and utensils. It shows that this household probably hosts communal celebrations and prayers as evidenced by the many cooking utensils and the big and elaborate altar and prayer rooms.
Coming down the steep staircase after the visit. Although our host and her family were friendly and hospitable, going up and down the steps was not "visitor friendly", especially for the elderly and the physically unfit.
Even the young like Su-lynn and Hsiao Yun had to take careful steps down the staircase.
View of the house we visited. The structure of the house - about 2 storeys high - is typical of the many houses we saw in Paro, Thimpul and elsewhere in Bhutan.
End of Visit to the village house and programme on 25 Nov 2008.
A Surprise Picnic Lunch at the foot of Tiger's Nest
Khin, who gave up the pony ride after a short distance to theTiger's Nest/ Taktsang Monastery, was waiting for us at the base in the van for more than 3 hours. In this picture taken by Su-lynn, she posed for a picture beside the van.
We had a very unique and surprise picnic lunch amidst this natural setting - it is not often for cityfolks like us to sit on carpets and having a much welcomed picnic lunch in such a surrounding. I was only expecting a packed box lunch after our climb up Tiger's Nest.
The kitchen staff from our hotel, Sonam Trophel laying out our picnic lunch...
There was a flask with hot water to prepare tea, coffee complete with milk and sugar - as a starter.
The food were served in stainless steel "tingkats" and nicely laid out on the ground and we helped ourselves to the food - buffet style.
Here Aunty Khin and niece, Su-lynn posed for an intimate shot while waiting for the lunch to be set up.
A nice cuppa before the food... Note the nice carpet we were seated on.
Hsiao Yun, Khin and Tiang helping themselves to the food while the hotel staff stood behind waiting for their turn to eat with us. The picnic lunch was tasty - especially the sweet and sour chicken.End of posting on picnic lunch on 25 November 2008
Visit to a local Bhutanese home
After a bumpy ride, the van stopped outside the entrance to this village and we walked towards the local village house that we were visiting. The purpose was to get an idea of the living style of a Bhutanese family.
Along the way, we saw this boy, about 10 years old, standing at the entrance to a house. We beckoned to him and gave him some books and pens that we had brought along. We were told that this boy worked as a servant in one of the households and did not attend school - which according to Yeshei, our guide, is not allowed in Bhutan.
Further down the path we met these two children. One of them extended both hands - a respectful gesture, we observed prevalent among Bhutanese children, - to receive the stationery items we gave them. Bhutanese children we met do not beg or pester tourists unlike the children I have met in India during my pilgrimage and tour to Rajasthan.
We saw this house which looked like a squatter house. This house is obviously occupied by a poorer family - unlike the house that we were visiting.
Another village house - in a better condition than the previous one we saw. Most of the Bhutanese houses are built of rammed mud, stone and wood. They are shingled roofed and many are at least 2 storeys high.
This was the staircase, rather steep and with narrow steps, leading to the house we were visiting. From the architecture of this building, it was obvious that this household is quite well to do.
Hsiao Yun at the top of the staircase - about to enter the house.
A group photo of the four of us with Yeshei in the house. Su-lynn took this picture.
We were shown around the house by Yeshei and later by the owner 's son. Our hostess is standing between Ngoh and Su-lynn.
In typical Bhutanese hospitality, the hostess prepared some rice wine (called arak?) to serve us.
These are wine cups with the long wine container.
The hostess assisted by Yeshei serving the cups of wine.
Yeshei serving Ngoh a cup of rice wine. The wine tasted quite pleasant but as we were not sure of its alcoholic content, we were cautious to take a only few sips.
Our two nieces holding their wine cups in the Bhutanese way - as taught by Yeshi.
After a few sips, they were drunk - they were quite good actresses in feigning to be drunk...
On behalf of the group, Tiang presented our hostess with an ang pow - a Singaporean gesture to show our appreciation
Ngoh presented the hostess' daughter with some stationery items.
Here she is seen very happy after receiving the gift.
The family members of the household we visited. The son who is studying in high school hopes to be a teacher. He speaks good English. Note the respectful way he was standing.
The living room...
The heater /fireplace which is in the centre of the living room.
Our driver, Nigdup who took us to this house is on the right.
Inside the prayer room. The altar is within another room in this room. Note the tangkas (Bhutanese religious paintings) hanging on the wall.
The entrance to the prayer and altar rooms.
A poster of the new king - His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck - the Fifth Druk Gyalpo whose coronation was held on November 6 - about 2 weeks before our visit - is on the wall of this home. This poster and a few others - show the love and loyalty of the common people (Bhutanese) have for their kings.
On this wall, there are more photographs of the Bhutanese kings.
The kitchen with many pots and utensils. It shows that this household probably hosts communal celebrations and prayers as evidenced by the many cooking utensils and the big and elaborate altar and prayer rooms.
Coming down the steep staircase after the visit. Although our host and her family were friendly and hospitable, going up and down the steps was not "visitor friendly", especially for the elderly and the physically unfit.
Even the young like Su-lynn and Hsiao Yun had to take careful steps down the staircase.
View of the house we visited. The structure of the house - about 2 storeys high - is typical of the many houses we saw in Paro, Thimpul and elsewhere in Bhutan.End of Visit to the village house and programme on 25 Nov 2008.
Dinner on 25 November 2008
The Managing Director of our local agent, Mr Chhimmy K. Tobgyel came to meet us personally at our hotel on the "eve" of our departure. He was very thoughtful and presented each of us with a t-shirt. He is seen here in the background while our guide, Yeshi is in the foreground.
We were very pleased and touched by the kind gesture. You can see the glee and smiles on Su-lynn's and Tiang's faces after receiving their gift.
Hsiao Yun took this group picture of our group with Mr Chhimmy and Yeshi - at the bar counter of the dining room of the Sonam Trophel Hotel.
After dinner, we proceeded to Tiang and Ngoh's room which has a large sitting room - to play mahjong. We were very resourceful in improvising - using a foldable luggage stand, we placed a square cushion which we wrapped with the mahjong mat - and hey presto! - we had a mahjong table.
The Managing Director of our local agent, Mr Chhimmy K. Tobgyel came to meet us personally at our hotel on the "eve" of our departure. He was very thoughtful and presented each of us with a t-shirt. He is seen here in the background while our guide, Yeshi is in the foreground.
We were very pleased and touched by the kind gesture. You can see the glee and smiles on Su-lynn's and Tiang's faces after receiving their gift.
Hsiao Yun took this group picture of our group with Mr Chhimmy and Yeshi - at the bar counter of the dining room of the Sonam Trophel Hotel.
After dinner, we proceeded to Tiang and Ngoh's room which has a large sitting room - to play mahjong. We were very resourceful in improvising - using a foldable luggage stand, we placed a square cushion which we wrapped with the mahjong mat - and hey presto! - we had a mahjong table. This was how we kept ourselves occupied in the evenings besides watching and keeping up with the news on BBC, CNN and an Indian TV station - on the Bangkok anti-government protests from 26 November and later, the Mumbai terrorist attack from 27 November.
End of Day 6 - 25 November 2008
