December 17, 2005 - On the Ropes and then “Dzong” for the Count

I never liked sitting on a tour bus or van, looking at the scenery zipping by. Perhaps it’s because it makes me feel so isolated; but, yet it makes me exhausted. I saw lovely towns, and beautiful valleys zip by. Children waved. Cows moved aside. It was all a blur. I guess we had to get from Bumthang to Wangdue somehow but the drive stood in stark contrast to the previous two days where we were immersed in all that was around us.

The long drive was broken up by a stop at the Trongsa Dzong. After visiting so many of this “fortresses” I would have thought that I would have tired of them. I’m happy to report that I’m not Dzong’d out yet. Being the political and religious centers of the Country, they are appropriately grand. This is no surprise for a people who are fiercely patriotic and devoted to their faith.






It was a bit difficult heading back west this morning. We are well past the midway point of our journey through Bhutan. But, I do find consolation in the fact that the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is still ahead.