A karma moment in Bhutan......

From one of our hotels I did a short steep climb to this isolated monastery located at a dead end on top of a mountain.  Amazingly it was the best pavement I encountered (probably because one of the Queen's homes is located on this road)  I was used to being an object of interest, but to these young Monks I may as well have been from Mars.  They swarmed over me and especially the bike and were having fun, laughing and joking like all kids do.  For the picture (taken with an i-phone) however, they all felt compelled to put on their 'monk' faces.  After the photo, they went back to the joking.  It was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

More Random Photos.......

Even the big rigs are stylin'

No, you're not in Kansas anymore......

Yes, we hiked up there (see Tigers Nest section of this blog)

Another day in Paradise

The view from a monastery

 Archery, the national sport

Building a residence is a community effort...nice view, huh?

Another view from a monastery

Darts....the other national sport

Its a tough job, but somebody's got to do it

The People of Bhutan

Diana and caretakers at one of the Queen's Monasteries

Manufacturing a fence is a family affair

A market (with chilies-the favorite food)

My bike was a constant source of interest

Listening to stories

A monk turning a prayer wheel

A prized possession

"High Five" candidates

Photos from the road

Not only the highest point on Dantak Roads, but on our entire trip as well

A typical Bhutanese scene from the road

We were down there a few minutes ago

Cows were occasional companions on the road

Prayer flags on a pass

Support (and a lift if needed) is always available

A not uncommon view

More prayer flags and me, happy to be at the top of the pass

Lunchtime on the road

One of the more interesting climbs near the Haa Valley

Tsonga Monastery with our road in the background

Our road

A typical vista from a valley

Tigers Nest

Our last day in Bhutan we will the opportunity to hike to Taktshang Monastery, more commonly known as Tigers Nest.  Situated on the side of a mountain at 10,000 feet, the hike to it is the most strenuous activity we will do in Bhutan, (at least it was for me-an example of the efficiency of cycling).  It is well worth the effort, however.  The Head Monk, or llama spend three month stints and the day we were there was the changing of the llamas.  We were fortunate enough to not only meet the outgoing llama but  crossed paths with the incoming llama and his entourage on our way down.

The view from the cafeteria

From here you descend before arriving at the closest view

The new Llama?

Waterfall next to Tiger's Nest (note the Richard Simmons headband)

Part of the incoming entourage