My Recent Trip to the Other Side of the World
Maybe it’s because I was gone most of April. But I have NEVER seen such an outrageous spring as this year in the Northwest!
Few Western travelers have visited Bhutan or Myanmar (formerly Burma). I usually choose the road less traveled. In April, 2015, I was fortunate to visit both. My friend Karla took good care of the cottage guests while I was gone.
It was hard to winnow down my snapshots to this number. If you want to see the full-size, full-frame version, double click on a picture. I hope you enjoy them!
Both countries are devoutly Buddhist – they believe in reincarnation and human kindness. Bhutan has a proud and colorful history, full of legendary heroes flying in from Tibet on the backs of female tigers who later become their consorts. The government is a progressive, benevolent monarchy, respected by the people. They also respect religion, their unique history, their family, and the community. This first batch of photos is from Bhutan.
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When you arrive in Bhutan, you land in Paro, in the only valley that can accommodate international jets. That’s the terminal building – note the typical architectural details.
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Archery is Bhutan’s national sport. Note the national traditional dress.
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Ancient farming methods are still used in the mountains. Only 3% of the land of Bhutan is arable. Most of the farms are in the southern, less precipitous parts of the country, where there’s a longer growing season..
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Prayer flags overlooking Thimpu, the capital and largest city (pop. 105,000).
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Of course, the children are darling and very friendly.
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This kind of elaborate carving and painting is typical Bhutanese decoration, inside and out, in temples and in homes.
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The Punakha Dzong, an ancient temple and seat of local government
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We could almost see across the Punakha Valley into the Himalayas.
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Dorche La pass, about 12,000 feet
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It’s a common decoration on rural homes. It’s not a fertility symbol; it’s to ward off evil spirits.
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I love the whisical decorations on the ubiquitous Tata trucks that you see in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
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The first annual Flower and Garden Show in Paro. It commemorated the last king’s birthday – he’s 60. Note the formal dress.
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Families have shrines to Buddha and to the royal family – cherished photos of the current king and his father are displayed in the bedroom of a farming family in the mountains.
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Even little boys dress traditionally for the festival.
Myanmar has a sad history of invasion and occupation – most recently by their own military – but I’m impressed by the resilience and fortitude of the people there.
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The amazing, opulent Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the capitol of Myanmar. 10,000,000 people live in this city – formerly Rangoon.
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At a higher elevation lies the large, shallow Inle Lake. People boat to one end of it, to the market and the Shwe Indein pagoda, from all over the lake.
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The market at the end of Inle Lake
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A village on stilts on Inle Lake
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Up a lazy river from the lake Inle is “Indein Village,” hundreds of stupas and small temples dating from the 11th century, many covered with vegetation – reminded me of Angkor Wat.
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Overlooking the dry plain of old temples and stupas that is Bagan, Myanmar.
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Another group of ancient temples is on a dry plain called Bagan. This is one of the larger temples. It houses a golden Bhuddha.
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A village dedicated to making pots. The lady on the left pumps the wheel for the potter.
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At the Diamond Hotel at Ngapali Beach, where we spent the last 4 days.
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A lovely family who was staying there.
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A little hermit crab made these tracks.
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The sand is white and fine, and the water clean, warm and turquoise. A fairly pristine paradise!