Drugyel

Drugyeldzong is the ruins of a once critically important fortress located at the bottom of a valley accessing a pass into China. This place was responsible for defending the country against multiple attacks from Tibet. Some minor attempts have been made at restoration but the government so far has not endorsed such efforts. 

Some mountains in the upper Paro valley

 Cantilever bridge over a river in Punakha. I'm not entirely sure how these bridges are anchored but they have stood the test of time and certainly are beautiful.

 Considered one of the more beautiful "dzongs" in the country, this place is enormous, gorgeous and impossible to portray adequately photographically. The king spends Winter's here and Summer's in Thimphu. I visited on the anniversary of the second Buddha's birthday (Guru Rinpoche). A special day and the dzong was active with ceremonies. Monks were chanting and praying, playing traditional horns and delivering holy water. One is expected to make donations at the alters. Interesting, next to the bowl filled with money were piles of junk food. Dozens of bags of various varieties of chips, candy bars and chocolates. Who eats this stuff? The monks would all be sick and edentulous. I was allowed in to all places but one which apparently houses some particulary special statue and no foreigners are allowed. I guess dressing in the Bhutanese national outfit didn't fool the guards. Just because my skin is a little lighter than theirs. Oh well, on to the next attraction.

Monk's

Here are some monk's (except for the drunk on the left) watching the archery tournament. It's funny to see them wearing flip-flops, talking on cell phones, using laptop computers and listening to their ipods. Around town, they act like anyone else, identified only by their dress. There are shops that specialize in "monk attire."

Convenience Store

And I thought that 7-Eleven could never be beat.

Botany

Anyone recognize this plant? Err, weed? Well, it grows like a weed around here anyway.

Archery

Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. It is a team sport, each team of 11 members stand on opposite sides of a large field. Targets are wooden planks stood upright and are only about 30 inches high and no more than 10 inches wide. On the top half is painted a standard target although striking the wood anywhere constitutes a "hit." The teams "dugouts" (I don't know their real name) are placed 140 meters apart. Yes, that is one and a half football fields! They are small areas surrounded by flags and in the center sits the other teams target and a place to shoot from. The picture shows the target as seen by the shooter. 

Each team then shoots a number of arrows, about 25 I think, one team and then the other. If the target is missed, the other team breaks out in laughter and yells derogatory and insulting remarks, mocking the inaccuracy of the shooter. 

If on the other hand, the target is struck, noted by a loud "clack" of arrow against wood, then 4 or 5 members of the shooters team step forward into a circle and sing a celebratory song along with a little dance.

Butter Lamp

This is known as a "butter lamp" and this particular one is encountered trailside on the hike up to Tiger's Nest. I don't believe it burns actual butter, but rather some form of oil, possibly soybean oil

Tiger's Nest

Another view of "Tiger's Nest" monastery. No, I don't believe tigers do actually nest, or roost. Why it's not called "Tiger's Den" I don't know but the legend goes like this. Guru Rinpoche (the second Buddha) in the 8th century was busy establishing Buddhism in this area. He possessed  miraculous powers and is depicted in eight different manifestations.  One of the challenges was to rid the region of evil spirits and demons. One day, his consort manifested as a tigress. He rode on her back and flew up to this spot to capture and subdue a demon known as Singey Samdrup. Once done, he stayed here and meditated for 3 months. There is a deep hole dug out of the rock (25 ft deep) in which it is said he would wait in hiding, meditating and when a demon would arrive, he would leap out suddenly, and catch it by surprise.