Paro

The last two days have been taking long steep hikes up to the most beautiful monasteries, including Tiger's nest. The first day we hiked it was so steep I did not think I would make it, but these very elderly people were ahead of me... I couldn't let them show me up. Many of the locals walk around the monastery many times as a prayer. Not sure how they do it; they are many times limping and hunched over and still walking. The monastery at the top was one of the most spiritual I have been in, even more so than Tiger's Nest.

For the hike to Tiger's Nest, my guides indulged me and we left at 7:30am to beat the crowds. Even with that there were a number of people from China at the monastery when we arrived. I am not sure how they beat me, especially since they had some elderly people with them.

But I did beat the huge crowd of tourists I saw on my way down. The Tiger's Nest is a thrilling experience and on all tourist must do lists. There are many tourists because of the festival, which begins today. Some take donkeys up the hill. It is a difficult climb for 2 hours.

I found a real coffee shop in town and really enjoyed filter coffee. They even had peach cake... delicious. The dessert in Bhutan is typically bananas or apples. Still don't think I have lost weight.

I had another stone bath in a very old rustic farm house last night. Quite the experience.
All in all I am ready to leave. I still don't feel the energy of Nepal. The monasteries are beautiful, but very similar to the ones in Nepal, except for a few very old ones.

Today is the festival and I am not sure what I will see other than more tourists. I have met a lot of people on my journey and we all said we would see each other again at the festival. I am still excited to go and will give you a summary tomorrow.

Namaste, Paula