Nov 9, 2014 Sunday Bumthang – Gangtey

Heading to Gangtey - another long and bumpy ride back the way we had come a couple days earlier. 

But the scenery is just beautiful.

We took another short stop at the Pele La Pass and the Chorten there. 

Continuing the drive

We stopped to tour the Trongsa Dzong and saw men practicing archery outside the dzong walls. 

Whenever one of the archers hit the target the group would break into a little song and dance routine.

Watch video in new large window.  If HD does not show 

at end of progress bar, click there for better quality.

The walk up to the Dzong was lovely with flowering trees, prayer flags and a wooden bridge.

Paul looking for just the right angle to photograph this very tall tree.

The photograph.

Trongsa Dzong is the longest Dzong in Bhutan (227 meters or 750 feet) and the largest.  It is situated on a nearly sheer mountain side high above the Mangde Chuu Valley.  

Trongsa Dzong from across the valley

View from the Dzong:

Inside the dzong there are about 25 temples, many beautiful courtyards and many colorful architectural features.  

The monks were at prayers in one of the temples, chanting and playing musical instruments.  Outside the temple there was a flock of pigeons entertaining visitors and being fed by other monks. 

We made a brief stop at a local produce market where Tara picked up more fruit for snacking.

Saw many of these odd vehicles around Bhutan.  Sort of a cross between a sit down mower and a tractor.


The drive continued through more beautiful mountains and valleys.

The day’s trip ended at the Phobjikha Valley and the Gangtey Goenpa Lodge.  The lodge was beautifully situated well above the valley floor with beautiful views.  It is a small lodge with an unremarkable but typically Bhutanese exterior and a splendid main hall with vaulted ceilings, two large fire places and a wall of windows that overlooked the terrace and valley beyond.  The hall served as dining room and living room for the lodge.  The lodge has only 12 rooms in two wings with all rooms having large bay windows overlooking the valley. 

We were greeted with a welcoming song when we arrived:

Watch video in new large window.  If HD does not show 

at end of progress bar, click there for better quality.

The rooms were simply and exquisitely furnished and included a fireplace in one corner and a gigantic soaking tub right in front of the window. 

Our bedroom

Tara arranged for another (belated) birthday surprise for Paul.

The menu at the restaurant was somewhat limited but the food was very good considering the very isolated location of the lodge.  The service was impeccable, one of the best hotels we have ever stayed at.

The three of us shared a room and the others stayed at lodgings elsewhere in the valley.