'Charming Paro'. Travel stories of how it stole my heart.

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2 Comments
Translucent cobalt skies... 
Vivid green Conifers...
And 
a pure Buddhist essence.
That's the canvas of Paro for me.


Gliding through a hilly terrain, from Punakha via Thimphu, we approach Paro. The tour guide Tenzing keeps filling the quiet with details of Bhutan while I soak myself in the beautiful ride. The first stopping point to stretch my limbs is a noted viewpoint where I can see the Buddha Dordenma at a far distance like a spec of solitude in the horizon. The second stopping point is the long suspension bridge, decorated with colourful prayer flags flapping in the wind.







The first place of visit in Paro is the ancient ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It is known to be one of the most beautiful and famous archaeological sites in Bhutan. It has served as an important base for defence since 1651 when it was built, till 1951 when a fire destroyed it. With history embedded in its mortar, Drukgyel Dzong stands regally overlooking farmhouses nestling in the valley below.





The itinerary's last stop of the day is the Kyichu Lhakhang temple. It is one of the 108 border taming temples built in the 7th century and also one of the oldest built in Bhutan. Monks, tourists and locals are spread all across the temple. Some are busy photographing the moment and some absorbing its spiritual aura. 



Day 2 is a trek to the Paro Taktsang, popularly known as the Tiger's Nest. Copper coloured mountains and a mystical white monastery, hanging at the edge of a precipitous cliff at 900 metres above the Paro Valley, looks like a tempting visit and a formidable climb. Braving the narrow mule tracks and walking for a couple of hours through the colourfully festooned Pine forests, I finally make it to the view point at Taktsang Cafe. The view is stunning! It is worth having dared the steep climb and the sweat. The wooden interiors, steaming food and panoramic view of the Taktsang cafe is an added bonus to the calm and scenic beauty that overwhelms one at this height. A visit to Tiger's nest is a full day's itinerary and a remarkable adventure sketch.




With my last day at Paro, the travel chronicles of Bhutan is ready for a wind-up.

 'At some places you leave a part of you but carry back a part of it'. A friend had prophesied once. That's what Paro did to me with its eclectic charm.





About Post Author

Architect, Photographer, Bookworm.
Lifestyle and Design Hunter. In search of Pattern in Chaos.

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2 comments:

  1. Unknown3 December 2015 at 12:11

    Once again you have done too well to hypnotise the reader and transfer his mind to the translucent cobalt skies and vivid green conifers of the picturusqe tranquility of Paro. Minutely accounted activity details accompanied by vibrant photo shoot bring alive the Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, Paro Taktsang and the steaming food with panoramic views at Taktsang café are so enchanting and inviting. Just Superb! Keep it up!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown3 December 2015 at 12:12

    Once again you have done too well to hypnotise the reader and transfer his mind to the translucent cobalt skies and vivid green conifers of the picturusqe tranquility of Paro. Minutely accounted activity details accompanied by vibrant photo shoot bring alive the Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, Paro Taktsang and the steaming food with panoramic views at Taktsang café are so enchanting and inviting. Just Superb! Keep it up!!!

    ReplyDelete

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Architect.
Photographer.
Bookworm.
Lifestyle and Design Hunter.
In search of Pattern in Chaos.
teamatpatterninchaos@gmail.com
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Design writer at Better Interiors

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