It has been a couple days because I did not have access to Internet. I was in a beautiful valley at a hotel with hot water bottles and wood fireplaces. It was beautiful, although the 8-hour drive on very windy, bumpy and one-lane roads was a bit tiring.
The valley is where the black neck cranes, an endangered species live. This is the off-season, so I was very lucky to see them close up. We had to hike to see them and we ran across the Road Scholars group and we had to try and pass them. We were lucky we did because by the time they got to the spot, the cranes had moved.
My guide keeps telling everyone that I walk so fast; he can’t keep up. My driver was just starting to take a nap, when we returned from our hike to the monastery. He was startled, because he thought we would be a couple hours. They are just starting to get to know me…..
I did get a chance to meet some people on my journey. The Road Scholars group is from all over US and Canada. They are 60 to 80 years in age and mostly women. I think at 75 I may decide to use this group when I want to travel. What do you guys think??
Besides seeing all the monasteries and hiking through beautiful farmland, we really relaxed. I am trying to get my 10000 steps in to prepare for the big hike later in the week. I feel very lazy these days. I used my exercise bands once. So glad I am carrying them all over with me.
Today is another travel day of 8 hours and the only thing keeping me going is that the hotel, where we are staying, has a hot stone bath. We finally arrived at 4pm and just after we arrived the Queen Mother arrived. You can imagine the uproar, when she arrived unannounced. Apparently she owns the hotel and she is checking it out. It is a really nice place out in the rural area.
My guide made sure I stood when she passed and she kept telling me to sit; I did not know what to do since it is my first time in front of royalty. She is one of the four wives of the 4th King. She seems pretty businesslike and she is very beautiful.
She asked me how I liked Bhutan and I talked about her textile museum, which is really beautiful. I think I made a good impression for the USA.
I almost didn’t get my hot stone bath because of the commotion. I now understand that my guide, although a great guy, is not aggressive enough. He definitely is learning from me (or embarrassed by me). I asked again and now my bath is at 8:30pm this evening. Perfect timing to take a bath and go to bed.
Tomorrow is visiting all the monasteries and forts. It should be a great day.
Namaste, Paula
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