Travel, travels | lifeisacelebration

Category: Travel, travels

No Tuki Today

February 18, 2012

Our group planned this 3 day, 2 night adventure in Cebu highlighted by a visit to Oslob. This small, heretofore vaguely known town in Southern Cebu hugged the limelight when it was reported that whale sharks — Butanding in Donsol, “tuki” in Cebu — were discovered. The “feeding” of these friendly gentle giants invited so much attention and excitement that we promptly packed our bags and flew to Cebu. This, even after the disastrous earthquake that rocked Negros and Cebu a few days before our flight.

We arranged for a van to pick us up at the new Harold’s Hotel in Cebu City at the ungodly hour of 4am. Having feasted on lechon the day before — the day of our arrival — I hardly slept because of a disturbing headache (which I later learned was actually triggered by a spike in my blood pressure) which deprived me of the needed winks.

We tried to catch some sleep in the van as we cruised towards Oslob on that 3 hour drive. Armed with my own life vest, life buoy and snorkeling equipment (all hand carried from Manila), we were ~~ready~~ eager when we arrived 7am in this remote village. The makeshift registration kiosk wasn’t that busy as it was a Thursday and it was just our group, a family, 2 Caucasian couples and a lone Frenchman arranging for a date with the gentle, krill-fed whale sharks.

But it was not to be. We waited another 3 hours, content with stories from this local who regaled us with her own adventures feeding the whale sharks. By 10am, we prepared to leave as the “spotters” who rounded up the area several times came back empty-handed. Disappointed. Frustrated. Deprived of an adventure dreamed of weeks before. Thank God I was in the company of good (and cheerful) friends with whom a day is never dull nor devoid of “adventure”.

Now, WHAT TO DO? The 3 hour return trip was marked by stopovers in Boljoon, Dalaguete, Carcar and Simala. Separate blogs to follow, as each has a story to tell. Tuki or no tuki, we certainly didn’t waste our day! When you guys go, better pray you meet them. Pray for good weather. It rained nearly the whole night and early morning of our visit. The whale sharks may have been sooo disturbed by the strong current and choppy waters.

Tags: Boljoon, butanding, Carcar, Cebu, Dalaguete, Oslob, Simala, Tuki, Whale Sharks

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So, Whatever Happened to Lapu Lapu?

Filed under: Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 10 Comments

February 16, 2012

So, we recall our history lessons and confidently state when the Philippines was discovered by Magellan. We remember too that Magellan was killed by Lapu Lapu in Mactan. Then WHAT?

Magellan's Cross

Our history lessons quizzed us on the dates, on who Magellan was, but failed miserably on educating us on the very first Philippine hero who resisted foreign aggression. Epic fail!

Magellan's Cross

Was Lapu Lapu such a nondescript character unworthy of a longer narration in many history books?

I bet many in my generation hardly knows this hunk from Mactan! Like me. But I intend to change that.

True, the Spaniards brought Christianity to our land. While I take my faith seriously, I have this gnawing feeling……..no, I am absolutely confident that the Spaniards who ruled our land for nearly 4 centuries had motivations more compelling than spreading the faith.

But I’m not about to dwell on these motivations. What interests me is to know exactly what happened to our first Philippine hero.

Sourced from the Net: Lapu Lapu Monument in Mactan

The little I know is that Magellan befriended some local tribal chiefs the likes of Rajah Humabon. Lapu Lapu strayed from the pack and refused to succumb to this foreign aggression, as well as to Rajah Humabon’s order to accept the foreign colonizers. Lapu Lapu organized his warriors as Magellan and his troops sailed to the island of Mactan. Allegedly, Rajah Humabon connived with Magellan to attack and subdue this “rebellious tribe in Mactan”. Fortunately for Lapu Lapu and his tribal warriors, the Spanish fleet, helped along by local “friendly” tribes, could not sail nearer to the island and had to wade ashore where they were met and attacked by Lapu Lapu and his men. The fleet’s cannons and firepower could not support the Spanish troops as the boats were at some distance from shore. Besides, Pigafetta, the chronicler, claimed the Spaniards were outnumbered by the Mactan “army” of Lapu Lapu. Pigafetta escaped with some others, as Magellan lay helpless and died. His body was never found.

Sourced from the Net: Lapu Lapu Killed Magellan!

And then what? Now this is where the legends abound. One legend claims Lapu Lapu left the island to live up in the mountains, far from sight. Was he hiding from his fellow Cebuanos who have so readily welcomed and accepted Spanish “visitors”? Of interest here is the report that Rajah Humabon, after Magellan’s defeat and fatal encounter with the local tribes, betrayed the remaining Spanish troops by trying to poison them in a feast he tendered for his European visitors. Oh well. That’s another story. But what of Lapu Lapu? Never seen by anyone ever again. Another legend is more dramatic and attributes superpowers to this Mactan chieftain. This legend claims Lapu Lapu turned into a stone (or a rock) facing the sea to forever protect the island of Mactan. How’s that for a legend?

How frustrating can this get. Any ideas, anyone? Admittedly, this story is so “bitin”. 😉

Lapu Lapu Statue Standing Guard Around The Valencia or Agrifina Circle

And how have we honored Lapu Lapu, our first national hero? Lapu Lapu appears on the official seal of the Philippine National Police. There’s the shrine in Mactan. A Monument in Rizal Park. And don’t forget the fish. Gawd, we didn’t even bother to declare a national holiday in his honor?

To be updated, as history unravels.

Tags: Cebu, Lapu Lapu, Magellan, Philippines

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Around The World at Terminal 21 (Bangkok)

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 3 Comments

February 2, 2012

Bangkok. Think Grand Palace. Wat Po. Vimanmek Palace. Chao Phraya River. Floating Market. MBK. Jim Thomson. Oriental Hotel. Wat Arun. Pat Pong. Khao San. Chatuchak.

Wat Po. Just one temple this time. We skipped the rest!

After as many as 7 trips or so here, I have yet to venture out of the capital. Well, I have visited Ayutthaya if that counts. But that was just a day trip from the city. I’m thinking Chiang Mai. Or even Phuket. Ko Phi Phi. Hua Hin. Kanchanaburi. Chiang Rai. Not this time. Another time, is what I keep repeating to myself.

Golden Gate Bridge Crossing Terminal 21's Atrium : Impressive!

Inside Terminal 21

So what else is new in Bangkok? Stuck in the city, we checked out the newest shopping mall in the capital. (Thanks to Bing who brought us here) Terminal 21. No, it is not within the airport complex. But it does look like one. Located at Sukhumvit 21 (hence, Terminal 21) this shopping mall is connected with the BTS Asoke and MRT Sukhumvit Stations.

Carribean-themed floor is all about the beach and lighthouse!

Working on the theme of travel, Terminal 21 allows you to “travel” from San Francisco, USA to Istanbul, which is just an escalator away. As we entered the complex, we were greeted by this red and white lighthouse right smack in the middle of the atrium. This ground floor is where the supermarket is, replete with its Carribean beach decor. The signature shops are largely on the Paris and Rome-themed floors. Higher up, one finds the London-themed floor. You can’t mistake it, what with the lifesize red bus parked at some corner there. The Tokyo section is also quite popular. Many ladies had fun posing beside the sumo wrestler statues you find on that floor. 😉

A London Bus Parked in Terminal 21?

And then there’s Istanbul. And the fancy restrooms! No visit is complete without stopping by the modern restrooms. Think bidet, heated seat cover, air blower, etc. Cool! What’s more, there’s wifi all around the complex. So bring your laptop and check out the many food outlets here. Grab some lunch. Just take time to decide what to have. With all these different themes, it can be a chore choosing what to have for lunch. Happy time, happy thoughts to all!

Be warned. Old hags can have fun too!

An Array of Dining Choices Inside Terminal 21

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Tags: Bangkok, Shopping, Terminal 21, Thailand

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The 108 Stupas @Dochula Pass in Bhutan

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

January 26, 2012

Just an hour away from Thimpu. We passed this site and drove another 1 .5 hours to reach Punakha just a couple of days before. No chance to get off the car to count the stupas. But you can bet your bottom ngultrum (Bhutanese currency) that they do number 108. No more, No less.

There you go. All 108 Chortens.

Dochula Pass sits right along the road on the way to Punakha from Thimpu. It was built to honor the casualties of a recent war resulting from a conflict with rebels from the South who wanted to secede. The King himself personally led an army of about 7,000 volunteers to drive out tens of thousands of rebels. Not one to glorify war nor their victory, the King had this monument built instead to honor both the dead soldiers and dead rebels from the conflict.

I can sit here all day. But do throw me a blanket!

At 3,150 meters above sea level, you can ID a number of mountains from the Himalayan Range on a clear day. But I’m telling you……… even on a cloudy day, it is still a worthwhile trip to make it high up here. Just a short walk from the Pass, have a cup of steaming coffee or tea at the Dochula Cafeteria. In our case, we had lunch. I am not exactly a big fan of Bhutanese cuisine, but one thing’s for sure. They grow their vegetables and grains organically. The mountain rice tastes better. The dumplings filled with cabbage and cheese dipped in some spicy sauce called MOMOS are so simply made, and tastes “healthy”. I passed on the fish, knowing that Bhutan is landlocked and assuming that the fish must have been transported all the way from India. The vegetables were cooked just as simply. Nothing fancy, really. But no worries. Altitude has a way of making you feel funny. It also affects one’s appetite, so I hardly complained.

Just a short walk to watch a cultural performance.

Just a few hundred meters from the Pass, we walked along a dirt path lined with prayer flags to watch a cultural performance. Since the dance routines have not been watched by the King yet, no photographs were allowed. Such is the rule in this land. Seated in an open-air site in 6 Celsius temp, we watched in amazement how some half-naked dancers can stand the cold. Mind you, the performance lasted well over an hour! I am borrowing some photographs here to give you an idea of Bhutanese dance routines.

Where's the BLANKET????

Tags: Asia, Bhutan, Dochula Pass

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Hotel Celeste: A Pleasant Staycation

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Filed under: Don't Skip Manila!, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 6 Comments

January 25, 2012

If you are a sucker for hotel pleasures, you can forget the ***** prime hotels and check out the boutique hotels in and around the city. We have tried the 5 star hotels on those occasions when we wanted to celebrate. But this is the first time we tried a boutique hotel. And we’re not even celebrating any special occasion. The fact that it is just a few blocks away from home made us feel like we were on a “staycation” with absolutely nothing on the agenda but to enjoy a lovely room and savor “dining in” .

HOTEL CELESTE. Pasay Road Corner Makati Avenue.

Hotel Celeste is right at the corner of Pasay Road (now Arnaiz Road) and Makati Avenue near one of the entrance gates to San Lorenzo Village. The lobby is small, but not cramped. First off, I noticed how well-appointed the interiors are. From the lobby is the hotel’s dining outlet – Celi’s – where the decor adds much to one’s dining experience. Dined there at least twice and found the food superb without burning a hole in my pocket! Those raring to discover new dating venues, this is it.

Celi

They even have set meals for P550-650 per pax which includes appetizer, soup or salad, entree, dessert.

Impress your date!

I am told that the owner of Hotel Celeste personally supervised the interior decor of this boutique hotel. The furniture are all custom-built to her tastes. Her passion, her taste, her class is all over the place. The Lobby. The Bistro. Each of the lovely rooms. So elegant, without being stuffy.

Suite 407

No 2 Rooms Are The Same. I should know, as we checked most rooms before deciding on one.

Now........this bath tub looks pretty neat!

No two rooms are the same. The attention to details is very evident. From the lamps, the chandeliers, the bedlinen, the appointments, even the bath tubs. I wouldn’t mind spending a weekend here!

Hotel Celeste. The new dating venue. Lovely. Charmingly Quiet. Romantic. Classy.

This is not a sponsored blog. Just ramblings from a satisfied customer. 🙂

Such attention to details!

Tags: Boutique Hotel, Dating, Food Trip, Hotel, Hotel Celeste, Makati, Makati Hotel

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Food Porn in Bangkok

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 10 Comments

January 19, 2012

Following a week in Bhutan, we chose to spend 3 nights in Bangkok. Stubborn us, we were hoping to visit Ayutthaya. No luck. After the floods, we decided against it and instead concentrated on this lively city. And its food 😉

I can't get enough of this mango salad!

Served at Novotel's Airport Hotel.

I’ve been to Bangkok several times in the past when I was still working. I have been to Ayutthaya myself, not too long ago. But my friend is visiting for the first time and she longed to see the old capital. Perhaps another time. After Bhutan, we were just too happy (and tired?) to be with old friends to relax and indulge ourselves. And how we did! On our way to Bhutan, we slept a night at Novotel Airport Hotel as we needed to be up early for the next day’s flight to Shangrila. Homeward bound, we broke our journey with 3 nights at the Pullman Hotel where we found our Manila travel buddies waiting for us.

With good old and not so old friends 😉

Reunited with Old Friends, Meeting New Ones

Our couple-friends and a niece with her 3 friends from Manila joined up with us in Bangkok. An ex-secretary now based in Bangkok hooked up with us too. The ex-sec I haven’t seen in over 20 years! Happy to see her after all this time. And very proud of her too!

Hot Pot Dinner With Fellow TravelBloggers Peter and Mari

It was also a chance to meet up with fellow bloggers Peter and Mari from my TravelBlog community. Peter and I are both Moderators in TravelBlog and feel we’re “old friends” after reading so much into our lives and the adventures we blogged about.

Those Thais Truly Excel in Food Presentation, don't they?

The Fish Is A Pretense At Eating Healthy 😉

Food Pornography

What a party. Which makes dining such serious business for this group. After all, Bhutanese cuisine pales miserably in comparison with Thai food. Well, come to think of it, I never complained about food in Bhutan — perhaps I even found it insignificant to deserve any mention — and that’s saying a lot coming from me. Looking back, my friend and I survived on mountain rice, Emma datse (chilis cooked with cheese, very spicy!) and momos or dumplings with cabbage and cheese fillings. I surprised myself (and my friend) when I ordered a burger and pasta at our hotel on the eve of our departure from Bhutan. You can guess what happened to that plate of spaghetti, right?

Bhutan's Momos or Dumplings Filled with Cabbage and Cheese Dipped in Chili Sauce! We survived on these!

Having convinced ourselves that we were “starved” in Bhutan, we looked at every Thai dish on the table as our well-deserved reward. Let the photos speak for themselves. But really, more than that, this last leg of my recent rip was a celebration of friendship.

You may also want to check out our visit of the famous Oriental Hotel by the banks of the Chao Phraya River where we tried Pierce Brosnan’s favorite Thaijito. Just click on this link.

Never Say NO to Desserts. Wherever. Whatever. No Regrets.

They Call it Thai-Jito. A favorite drink of Pierce Brosnan. Only at Oriental Hotel.

Tags: Asia, Bangkok, Food Trip

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Family Playcations!

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

January 8, 2012

I love my family. We all live in a condominium building where space is gold and where we feel cramped as the kids grow taller and the adults grow wider 😦

Over time, we spilled over 2 more units in the same condo building but share THE SAME SQUARE dining table I bought when I was still living alone. How we fit or take turns at the dining table is a practiced skill!

And so family playcations is a tradition in this family. Summers and Christmas breaks are popular holiday dates for us, but we’re one family who also make good use of long weekends.

We took a vote and came up with this list of top playcations for us. Thought I’d share it with you as suggestions for your next family adventure.

#1 CRUISING TOPS THE LIST

To this day, our 3day, 2 night cruise sailing out of Singapore for Melaka (Malacca, Malaysia) holds truly fond memories for adults and elves. Royal Carribean’s Legend of the Seas had this $306 per pax, twin-sharing promo rate which we grabbed. All 5 meals and snacks included!

READY TO SAIL! Kids board Royal Carribean's Legend of the Seas

#2 HONGKONG DISNEYLAND AND MACAU

The FIRST family playcation out of the country is of course nothing less than memorable. When the elves were 5 and 2 visiting Disneyland (Los Angeles, USA) for the first time, they were too young to appreciate it. This time around, they knew exactly what they wanted, and how many “teacup spins” they needed!

From HK Disneyland to Macau. What a horrible ferry ride!

#3 NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS IN HONGKONG

We were back the year after. The fireworks at the Avenue of the Stars fronting the lovely HK Harbour is the highlight of the New Year’s Eve revelry, but the dinner prelude was just as exciting. No mercy was our mantra, as we stuffed ourselves with Peking Duck and other Chinese dishes at the Star Cafe. Just as memorable was walking with the thick Chinese crowd in the middle of the road at 2am to reach our hotel.

HONGKONG DISNEYLAND

#4 SSSSHHHH…..KIDS GO AWOL IN SHANGHAI

Shelly and I flying in to Shanghai from a month-long trip in Turkey and Greece. The rest of fam flying in from Manila. What a reunion!

The Bund. Shanghai, China

#5 WORLD EXPO IN SHANGHAI

Can’t resist this. It’s the closest we can get to a world tour. Very educational for the children. Very satisfying for the adult gluttons. 🙂

World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China

#6 BUTANDING ADVENTURE

It was a weeklong holiday. A road trip. We booked only for our first 2 nights in Donsol, Sorsogon where I brought the family to experience this awesome animal encounter. After that, we sort of felt our way through looking for places to stay in Legazpi City and Naga.

ONE BIG HURRAH AFTER THE FIRST BUTANDING ENCOUNTER! YEHEY!

#7 ALL 12 ABOARD FOR A JOURNEY THROUGH ILOCANDIA

Yes, 12. My family and my friend’s family. We flew to Laoag, then cramped ourselves into a van, and then a jeepney around Laoag and Vigan. Food Trip to the max. Gee, now I miss their Pinakbet Pizza!

Walking out of Malacanang of the North. And yes, we were 12 in the group!

#8 ROADTRIP TO BAGUIO

Not our “usual” Baguio trip. This time around, we explored the lesser-known destinations and relished the surprisingly enjoyable vegetarian joints in this city. Even the elves loved their “kamatis (tomato) pasta” in Oh My Gulay Resto!

Taken at Bencab Museum Garden.

#9 NEW YEAR IN BORACAY. WHY NOT?

Who’d dare argue against spending New Year’s in the lovely island of Boracay? We spent all of 5 days here. What a great relaxing way to welcome and start the new year!

SUN AND SAND TO WELCOME AND START THE NEW YEAR IN BORACAY

#10 A NEW DISCOVERY: CLUB BALAI ISABEL

Again, we were lured by the promo package offered by this lovely resort along the shores of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas. A weekend that’s really value-for-money. The rooms have 2 big-sized beds, the resort has 3 swimming pools, a fish spa, food is good, service is excellent, and THE VIEWS! C’est magnifique!

GOOD FOOD, GOOD SERVICE, MAGNIFICENT VIEWS!

Tags: Asia, asian holidays, Family, Grandchildren, holiday, Philippines, playcation, Travel, travels

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The Female Monks of Zilukha Nunnery (Thimpu, Bhutan)

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 3 Comments

January 5, 2012

Zilukha is the “biggest nunnery” in Bhutan, yet I would never consider it huge by any standards. But it may have the best location. It is perched on a promontory overlooking the Tashichhoedzong or Thimpu Dzong and its surrounding golf course. From the roadside, we walked up a wide dirt path to reach this nunnery with no gates, no doorbells, no guards. Just sleeping dogs.

The Path to Female Monkhood?

Female Monks? Yes, many women — some young girls, even toddlers — from poor families enter the nunnery. The ones I saw at Zilukha Nunnery in the Drubthob Goemba were likely as old as 70 and as young as 4. I was honestly surprised to find the young ones, and initially thought they were orphans under the care of the nuns.

Zilukha Nunnery

Our tour guide explained that some of these children were left behind by their poor parents. A refuge from extreme poverty. Yet I wasn’t exactly sure it is a refuge. The nuns we found here can certainly do with some comforts. Having seen the magnificence of the Dzongs in Paro, Thimpu and Punakha, the Zilukha Nunnery appears almost like a disheveled garage or storage room in one of these dzongs. The shrine is very small, and the nuns pray and chant their mantra in a narrow space where a giant prayer wheel occupies easily a tenth of the entire room. The nearby one-storey building serves as their sleeping quarters and I can imagine these nuns must sleep in cramped quarters there.

The Living/Sleeping Quarters of the Zilukha Nunnery

Entrance To The Prayer Room

Once we stepped inside the Prayer Room, we felt almost guilty barging in as the nuns were busy praying and chanting. The elder of the nuns allowed 2 photos of them doing their spiritual chores — chanting mantras and spinning prayer wheels. The area is a bit cramped. Two lines of nuns face each other while a giant prayer wheel is spun by one of the younger, stronger nuns. The 4 year old happily , yet quietly sat on the lap of the grey-haired nun. This nun with greying hair, looking so undecided between chanting and chewing her betel nut, while caring for the toddler-nun. I spotted red-stained teeth, and some chewed bits threatening to drip on the sides of the older nun’s mouth.

Just Two Photos Inside the Prayer Room.

Two Lines of Nuns Facing Each Other in This Narrow Corridor.

I wish I was able to take a better shot of the grey-haired nun and the toddler nun. I dared not appeal for a 3rd shot, guilty as we were to have arrived at a sacred hour. As young girls enter the nunnery to escape poverty as well as to gain education, I wonder if some of them feel “forced” to take this option. Sure, they are here to seek “enlightenment” but I am more inclined to think they are here or were sent here to escape from the harshness of a difficult, deprived life.

This Is The View From Zilukha Nunnery. Not Bad!

As with the monks, people seek spiritual guidance from these nuns. As such, they spend their time gaining spiritual knowledge to prepare them for this religious work. Some of them may have felt deprived in their early life, but they all look forward and appreciate the newfound social status to be gained from being a nun. In a country like Bhutan where Buddhism seamlessly blend with everyday life and the national character, monkhood has its place.

Please do check my other blogs and photos on Bhutan here in WordPress. Or try my blog series on Bhutan in TravelBlog. Here is the link : http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/liliram/Trips/17606

Tags: Bhutan, Buddhism, female monks, Thimpu, Zilukha Nunnery

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Chimi Lakhang: The Divine Madman’s Village and Shrine

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 8 Comments

January 1, 2012

Excuse me…… Did you just say THAT PHALLUS belonged to one of your saints?

Yes, THAT is the phallus of one of Bhutan's Favorite Saints. I kid u NOT!

Flanked by hundreds of prayer flags, Chimi Lakhang is a good half hour leisurely walk across fertile rice fields. We passed farmers harvesting their rice and traipsed paddy fields cutting across a village where houses are painted with…..errr, phalluses of one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. Either that, or you find hanging phalluses swinging by house corners, intended to drive away demons.

Do You See That Hanging Phallus? It's Meant To Drive Away The Demons.

Chimi Lakhang. A Modest Shrine to Bhutan's Favorite Saint & Divine Madman

Chimi Lhakhang is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley or Drukpa Kunleg (1455 – 1529) also known as ‘The Divine Madman’. He “distinguished” himself for his outrageous behavior and teaching style. Legend goes that the saint used to hit the evil forces with his penis (or cohabited with them) to distract, subdue, and eventually turn them into protective deities. Trust me, this is serious stuff in Bhutan. My own guide claims the Divine Madman “took away the shame” —- i interpret this to mean “malice”—– from them. In many Thangka paintings, the saint is shown holding a “wooden stick with penis head”.

The Power of the Phallus. He is also the Fertility Saint. Guess Why!

Gho-clad Boys Coming Home From School

In Bhutan, I Saw Many Men Caring For Their Babes. Nice.

The Lhakang is just a small pilgrimage site in a rather rural setting. We passed old, modest houses and children posing for photos, hopping, running around, and playing “kitchen” like many other children in the world. Makes you think children are the same all over UNTIL society/culture imposes itself on them. We were welcomed in a small kitchen where the women were frying rice grains much like our local “pinipig” or rice crisps. The young monks we met at the Lhakang were likewise playing — running and jumping around, swinging by the window sill, or up above munching an apple while seated on a branch of the Buddha tree.

Children Are The Same All Over the World.

I Was Right Underneath This Mini-Monk

Those Are Not Just Rice Crisps. They're MOUNTAIN Rice Crisps.

This is also a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Well, that “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom” (as they call the saint’s phallus) ain’t called that for nothing. As fertility saint, he is perhaps the only saint in all religions of the world excused for his sexual exploits and inclinations, for which his phallus is identified with its creative power and ability to distract and subdue demons. Think about that!

Just A Half Hour Walk To Get Here, Past Paddy Fields

Walked past many of these houses with painted phalluses!

This Rural Village Gave Us A Glimpse of How Ordinary Bhutanese Live.

Please do check my other blogs and photos on Bhutan here in WordPress. Or try my blog series on Bhutan in TravelBlog. Here is the link : http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/liliram/Trips/17606

And by the way, with all we’ve seen and experienced in Bhutan, we missed something big time. Not sure if we could have mustered the nerve to watch, but here’s one interesting read for all of you. Tell me what you think 😉

http://bhutan-360.com/the-naked-dance-of-jampa-lhakhang-drub/

Tags: Bhutan, Buddhism, Chimi Lakhang, Divine Madman, Himalayas

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Punakha Dzong: Living In A Dream

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Filed under: Asian Holidays, Travel, travels — 4 Comments

From Druk Hotel in Thimpu, we drove a good 2 1/2 hours just to get here. On our way, we passed Dochula Pass with a grand view of the Himalayan mountain range at over 3,000 meters elevation. Then we weaved around the mountains going down, passing cherry blossoms, poinsettia and magnolia trees. We made a brief stop at Chimi Lakhang and took our lunch in a lovely cafe overlooking paddy fields animated by men and women harvesting rice and gho-clad school boys gingerly walking around the rice fields.

Punakha Dzong. Where Kings are crowned. Site of the recent wedding of the world’s youngest monarch.

Punakha Dzong Where 2 Rivers Merge

The fortress cum monastery is home to 600 monks, and sits at the confluence of two rivers with the lovely mountains as backdrop. You need a few minutes to savor this view, pinch yourself and get reminded this ain’t a dream, before crossing the bridge adorned with prayer flags.

Then the 2 rivers merge, bubble and froth as ONE RIVER.

As we crossed the bridge, we had our first glimpse of Punakha Dzong’s first courtyard. Climate here is milder, elevation not as steep as in Paro. The wooden staircase leading to the second courtyard is steep though. The same stairway can be pulled up in case of an invasion. Some security feature for this 17th century monolith.

The Approach Via the Lovely Bridge Crossing A "Lively" River

The Wooden Staircase Can Be "Pulled Up" In Case of An Invasion

As we climbed past cherry blossoms, we heard the faint chant and shuffling of hands and fingers from a small group of monks. Nearby, logs crackle from a bonfire set up in the middle of the vast courtyard. What a lovely, nearly surreal sight! This experience is so dreamlike it is deeply embedded in my memory.

Logs Crackle in A Bonfire Set Up in the Middle of the Courtyard

Monks Chanting " Oh Mani Peme Hummmmm"

Buddhism is NOT a religion, according to our guide. He claims it is a philosophy, a lifestyle, where Buddhists firmly believe that KARMA rules, among others. Where much of sufferings in life are rooted in wordly desires and material attachments. I certainly have no problems with these. The universe can definitely do with less hostility, and more compassion, more caring for each living creature.