Phoblika Valley- Bhutan
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Mural at Gangtey Goemba
We left behind the yummy cheese factory, the valley of Bumthang and the Teschu, and headed farther west and, sadly, back towards Thimphu and Paro.
After driving over Yotong La Pass and Pela La Pass, we descended down into Phoblika Valley, considered the most beautiful valley in Bhutan. This is the winter home to the endangered black-necked cranes. Despite the fact that there were no cranes lingering from the winter, this was certainly one of the most beautiful places we visited in Bhutan.
Homes dot the valley of Phoblika
We stayed at the Dewachen Hotel which was straight out of Colorado; with wood-fire stoves, wooden beams throughout the rooms, floor to ceiling windows and amazing views of the valley below. (The hotel was built as a joint-venture with National Geographic, by the way.)
Dewachen Hotel in Gangtey
Jon and I pulled together a little cocktail party for our group, complete with cheese from Bumthang, homemade bread and dried fruits.
Tom and Meredith
After breakfast the next morning, we walked up to the Gangtey Goemba, currently being renovated. It’s perched atop a hill. (A steep hill, that is. One in which we all had to ascend straight up.) Once restored, this monastery will be well worth a visit. Though there was lots of work left to be done, it’s scheduled to be completed in the fall of ‘08.
Walking through Gangtey with prayer flags marking the way
After poking around the goemba and spinning a few prayer wheels, we then walked back along the edge of the valley through a forest. The path was flat and the pace perfect. It allowed us all to shake out some energy and get some needed exercise.
We had a delicious lunch back at the Dechawan and then drove onwards to Wangdue…
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