Archive for the Bhutan Category
Bhutan Day 8
29th March 2008 by Robin.
We explore the wooded hill near our campsite.
And get our first sightings of what is probably the most spectacular species of the trip - hornbills.
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Bhutan Day 7
28th March 2008 by Robin.
We head south from Trongsa. More Langurs on show
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Bhutan Day 6
27th March 2008 by Robin.
We start early morning in the pass of Pele-la accompanied by the yak.
Small fast flying birds do not lend themselves to digiscoping but a Green-tailed Sunbird poses for me on top of a tree.
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Bhutan Day 5
26th March 2008 by Robin.
After an early morning trip (unsuccessful) to try to find White-bellied Heron we set off again eastwards.
We stop at one of the numerous checkpoints as we move between districts. There is a colourful Indian truck waiting too.
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Bhutan Day 4
25th March 2008 by Robin.
A small digression before I continue the diary. In addition to the bus with our local guide and driver we are also accompanied by a truck carrying camping gear, tables, chairs and cooking gear. This is manned by 6 men who precede us to a camp site and set up tents and prepare our meals. They also set up a tables and chairs at pre-arranged lunch spots. The food is OK but rice and spicy food 3 times a day is not quite to my taste! As we go on you will see some of the scenic locations chosen for lunch.
We start the day in woodland but I am distracted from the birds by a beautiful butterfly (I’ll update this when I have an ID)
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Bhutan Day 3
24th March 2008 by Robin.
We leave the capital Thimpu (and its legions of barking dogs which kept some of us awake) before dawn to reach the pass of Dochu-la (3116 m) east of the city.
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Bhutan Day 2
23rd March 2008 by Robin.
Before first light we drive up to Chele-la (la means a pass). Our main targets are Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal both of which we get good views of from the bus. No photographs I’m afraid. The Blood Pheasant looks so much better than the drawing in the field guide - stunning in fact.
The top of the pass is at 3780 metres (about 12400 feet). Although early morning and the air is thin it does not feel cold. The pass gives views towards snow capped peaks. The whole area is strewn with Buddhist prayer flags among which a few domesticated yak forage.
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Bhutan Day 1 - the start of the adventure
22nd March 2008 by Robin.
I will skip over the flights, Indian bureaucracy and the interesting landing at Paro Airport (probably the world’s most attractive airport terminal).
We checked into our hotel in Paro late morning, which, while modern, reflected the external style we would become used to.
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