Bhutan 15-24Nov2012

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon
  home to majestic snow-capped Himalayan Mountains

Druk Air flies us to Paro, we then drive to Thimphu
  where the air is extremely fresh and cool

Kuzuzangpola¹ we greet
  friendly and helpful Bhutanese we meet

Dochula has spectacular picturesque views
  Chimi Lhakhang has vast paddy fields

The Divine Madman² created the Takin
  and propagated the image of the man’s thing

Betel nut the Bhutanese chew
  while watching the dance at Tsechu³

Dzong, Chorten, Lhakhang⁴ we visit
  bumpy winding rides make us sick

Stupa and Chorten we walk in clockwise
  chili and cheese we eat with red rice

Men wear Gho, women wear Kira
  we go for stone bath and ara⁵

Yak, horse and cow
  no cauliflower for now

Punakha⁶ Dzong is wondrous
  4th King coined Gross National Happiness

Beautiful black necked cranes
  winter roost in wide Gangtey plains

We get puffed out and take rest
  as we hike up the sacred Tiger’s Nest⁷

Bright shiny stars we gaze
  Wi-Fi access we give praise

Bhutan trades with India and Thailand
  Bumthang is Asia’s Switzerland

Bhutanese revere Wangchuck Queen and King
  we kadingche⁸ helpful Bhak and Tshering

Prayer wheels creak, Prayer flags flutter
  We adore Bhutan, the Shangri-la like no other


¹   Bhutanese’s national language Dzongkha “Kuzuzangpola” means “Hello! “

² Divine Madman refers to Drukpa Kuenlay (1455-1529). Takin is Bhutan’s national animal which has the head of a goat and body of a cow.

³  Tsechu refers to Festival usually to  celebrate the harvest and give thanks to God.

⁴  Dzong is fortress, Chorten and Lhakhang are temples.

⁵  Gho and Kira are Bhutan’s national costume. Ara is a distilled drink with almost 20% alcohol content.

⁶  Punakha is Bhutan’s ancient capital. Thimphu is the current capital.

⁷  Taktshang Monastery aka Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous monastery is 3000 meters above sea level.  

⁸  Kadingche means “thank you”. Bhak is our guide, Tshering is our driver.