Saturday 13 October
The alarm went at the unearthly hour of 0250 as the plane to Paro departed from Bangkok at 0500. As it turned out we probably slightly missed timed as we had to run down the length of the checkin hall as we were definitely the last to check-in.
Our first flight on Druk Air was a fine experience especially as we had splashed out and travelled business (largely due to the fact planning was left so late that economy was sold out !)
The flight made a brief stop in Kolkota before heading north over the Himalayas. As we approached Paro made the obligatory announcement but added "during the approach we will be flying close to the mountains”. In fact the descent involves flying up a windy valley to land on an airstrip besides a fast flowing river.
Immigration was a breeze partly helped by the fact Druk Air only has 4 planes so it is not the busiest terminal in the world, although the power did go off a couple of times while waiting for the bags.
Outside in the brilliant sun we were greeted by our guide, Sonam and the driver Mr Kinga and after purchasing a Tashicell sim for USD 10 we headed off to Paro.
Unsurprisingly Stuart had left his razor in Hong Kong (this is a common occurrence and means we have a collection of razors from many parts of the world. A visit to the ATM and a stop for coffee and we headed out of town to our first destination the Haa Valley.
The Haa Valley lies over the Chelela Pass and has not long been open to tourists as to the north lies the border with Tibet and within it are both the Royal Bhutan Army and the Indian Army camps.
While climbing up the road to the pass we stopped by a Bhuddist Nunnery perched high on the cliff face. The walk up the path was not in fact particularly steep but the altitude did make things hard going.
Back in the Hyundai Santa Fe we continued up reaching the Chelela pass which is at 3988 metres. At this altitude the air is thin particularly when you have come straight from sea level so we did not linger before heading down into the valley below.
The alarm went at the unearthly hour of 0250 as the plane to Paro departed from Bangkok at 0500. As it turned out we probably slightly missed timed as we had to run down the length of the checkin hall as we were definitely the last to check-in.
Our first flight on Druk Air was a fine experience especially as we had splashed out and travelled business (largely due to the fact planning was left so late that economy was sold out !)
The flight made a brief stop in Kolkota before heading north over the Himalayas. As we approached Paro made the obligatory announcement but added "during the approach we will be flying close to the mountains”. In fact the descent involves flying up a windy valley to land on an airstrip besides a fast flowing river.
Immigration was a breeze partly helped by the fact Druk Air only has 4 planes so it is not the busiest terminal in the world, although the power did go off a couple of times while waiting for the bags.
Outside in the brilliant sun we were greeted by our guide, Sonam and the driver Mr Kinga and after purchasing a Tashicell sim for USD 10 we headed off to Paro.
Unsurprisingly Stuart had left his razor in Hong Kong (this is a common occurrence and means we have a collection of razors from many parts of the world. A visit to the ATM and a stop for coffee and we headed out of town to our first destination the Haa Valley.
The Haa Valley lies over the Chelela Pass and has not long been open to tourists as to the north lies the border with Tibet and within it are both the Royal Bhutan Army and the Indian Army camps.
While climbing up the road to the pass we stopped by a Bhuddist Nunnery perched high on the cliff face. The walk up the path was not in fact particularly steep but the altitude did make things hard going.
Back in the Hyundai Santa Fe we continued up reaching the Chelela pass which is at 3988 metres. At this altitude the air is thin particularly when you have come straight from sea level so we did not linger before heading down into the valley below.
As we approached Haa township the vehicle somewhat abruptly came to a halt and our driver looked decidedly worried. After an external inspection and a lifting of the bonnet he returned with the fan belt in hand. A true Michael Palin moment.
uckily the town was a short walk and so we left the vehicle and headed off on foot. Haa town is a collection of typical Bhutanese shops and houses alongside the river. We took advantage of the moment to get a beer or two before getting in a passing taxi and heading the 20 minutes out of town to the hotel. En route we stopped by the workshop where the vehicle had arrive and now sat with its front wheels off as a bolt had sheared and the fan belt had simply come off.
We arrived at the Soenam Zingka lodge which was a traditional Bhutanese building which has been tastefully converted to a 3 star hotel. We also were treated a hot stone bath which is in fact a hollowed out tree trunk with heated stones dropped in! It had been along day !
uckily the town was a short walk and so we left the vehicle and headed off on foot. Haa town is a collection of typical Bhutanese shops and houses alongside the river. We took advantage of the moment to get a beer or two before getting in a passing taxi and heading the 20 minutes out of town to the hotel. En route we stopped by the workshop where the vehicle had arrive and now sat with its front wheels off as a bolt had sheared and the fan belt had simply come off.
We arrived at the Soenam Zingka lodge which was a traditional Bhutanese building which has been tastefully converted to a 3 star hotel. We also were treated a hot stone bath which is in fact a hollowed out tree trunk with heated stones dropped in! It had been along day !
