Joy's Thimphu Travels: Haa Valley

This has been a very international week: Had dinner one evening at the home of a French couple who are here teaching French and German at the local college. Also there was a woman from Germany, another from Mexico City, and an India/American. Needless to say, the company and conversation were great.

The next day was the 4^th of July, and I went to a holiday bash that has been an annual event for many years at the home of a couple who are the US Consular Wardens here in Bhutan. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and plenty of other food while sitting around a campfire along with a video of fireworks displayed on a huge screen in their beautiful backyard.

Waiting for the road crew to take a break before we could pass.

The next morning I was up early for a visit to Haa Valley where they were having their annual Summer Festival. There were lots of native dancers, traditional foods, and exhibits of nomadic farmers and the many products they make from the yak herds they tend.

Traditional dancers

Nomadic yak farmer in full yak herder costume

Inside a typical nomadic farmers tent

Shooting the breeze Bhutanese style

Adjusting her kira and tego

Traditional boots -- awesome, aren't they?

Traditional dancers

Young dancer practicing her moves

Dancer in beautiful traditional outfit

My second morning there, while the rest of the

I can't imagine a more scenic setting for a home!

group I was traveling with were hiking, I was treated to a visit at the home of the in-laws of our guide. They live about 8 miles out of Haa town and farm wheat along with their herd of about 100 yaks (the yaks are “vacationing” for the summer months in the highlands).

The house in the photo is actually two homes. While I was visiting the family living in the left half, there was a "puja" going on in the home on the right. Pujas are religious ceremonies performed by lamas for healing the sick, driving out evil spirits, blessing new homes, and annual general blessings of every Buddhist home. I could hear the chanting, drums beating, and blowing of the long trumpets throughout my visit.

Having tea with Tshering's mother-in-law and niece.

Wooden stairway leading to upstairs living quarters.

Tshering in the food storage room downstairs.

Saying farewell.

Family farming together

Roadside kids

Haa town sits at about 9000 feet elevation.

That's over 13,000 feet elevation.

Our route back to Thimphu took us over Chelela Pass which, at just over 13,000 feet, is the highest motorable road in Bhutan. All of the roads here in in Bhutan are narrow, winding roads, with constant hairpin turns, and panoramic views of the Himalayas. It is said that the runway at Paro airport is the longest stretch of straight road in the entire country!