Snowman who visited Bhutan This year

Thimphu received its first snow fall of the year.It started from the morning of 19th January 2011,however it isn't a heavy fall.I took a ride towards sangaygang and few days later towards Dochula and took as many glimpses as possible.The snow coverage seems to be getting thinner year by year.Many of the highway passes such as Dochula,Thrimshingla were blocked and no traffic for few days.Here are the moments of perfect walk with the nature.

Thimphu and Dochula after the 2011 snowfall.

A Week and Two Days at the Hot Spring

Image source:Google

I heard the distinct sound of BazaGuru reciting from the Hot Spring well, where Agay Dopchu from Ozorong was clearly enjoying himself a bit too much. His storytelling, filled with humor and teasing jokes about Ngalong women, seemed to be a favorite pastime of his.

From December to March is the ideal season for those who love Tsachu, or hot springs. For my father, it’s been a tradition to visit Gelephu Tsachu at least once a year. My mother prefers Chubu Tsachu in Punakha. Visiting these hot springs has been a family custom for as long as my father can remember, tracing back to his great-grandfather. I had the privilege of accompanying my parents as their personal cook, handling everything from meal preparations to shopping and even waking up in the middle of the night to make tea and porridge. This made me the preferred companion out of all seven siblings.

Winter is the best time to visit hot springs, which are believed to have medicinal properties. In Bhutanese culture, these sites are considered sacred, blessed by saints with mystical powers. Everyone is encouraged to experience the natural beauty and healing qualities of these hot springs.

Chubu Tsachu is nestled in the scenic Punakha Valley, along the Phochu River. It used to require a 5-hour trek from Samdingkha, but now a road extends to Nabdingkha Valley, reducing the walk to just 2-3 hours. It’s a pleasant trek with fresh air and stunning views, and horses can help carry your supplies. If long walks aren’t your thing, Gelephu Tsachu in the south is more accessible, just 15 kilometers from town by car.

Spending nine days at Tsachu was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I hope to visit again every year. I recall a 12-year-old boy in a red jacket with a cane of Tongma as I approached the Tsachu pools. The previous year, my family had returned from Chubu Tsachu, and this year, we chose Gelephu Tsachu, much to my mother’s initial reluctance.

At the time, I was in 11th grade. We packed a range of supplies from Paro, including dry chilies, red rice, a mini gas stove, blankets, a tent, dried vegetables, biscuits, lanterns, butter, salt, snacks, milk, a torch, matches, cheese, eggs, noodles, tea, and more. My sisters had done a grand shopping spree the day before to stock up on modern necessities.

At Tsachu, I took on the cooking duties and managed the supplies until the end of our stay. The experience was incredibly enjoyable. I spent hours soaking in the hot spring, absorbing its minerals. I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful women around me, with their stylish outfits and vibrant looks. Despite my shyness and discomfort with romantic advances, the sight of them left a lasting impression.

The joy I felt at Tsachu was more than just from the hot springs. It came from the lively interactions with fellow visitors—trekkers, families, couples, monks, and more. The shared laughter, jokes, songs, and the simple pleasures of cooking and eating together created a deep sense of happiness. These experiences reminded me of the true essence of Gross National Happiness, found in the moments shared with others and the memories created.

Riding the Winter Roads

In the small capital city of Bhutan,the freeze of wintry chill ushers in through an apartment where my close Eastern friend live by.He had to switch on the Luminox Heater or else get near to a Bumthang made Bukhari to keep himself warm.This time he had a tough Khuru battle with his village mates.I wondered how many cups of chankey did he slurp.

I was riding the winter roads.Somewhere to the opposite of Tamchoe Lhakhang,on the Chuzom-Paro highway,it was more than an hour that larger number of vehicles were being stopped at a massive landslide that blocked the road yesterday on my journey towards Paro.I wondered, but why such a huge slide without any sign of rain.Believe me the soil were so loose,but who could have had imagined and the guts to help build a wall across the falling boulders on this particular site or cut it bit more wide? I had witnessed several slides on this particular ridge since the Paro-Thimphu highway widened.I felt sorry for the two pilots who were delayed their duties for Bangkok flight and the passengers who were travelling abroad.Finally,thanks to traffic police and the RSTA personnels who were assisting in avoiding a heavy JAM.

Along the wide highway nearing Khasadrapchu,a Toyota Prado plunged downwards the hill,across an apple orchard in the silent Thim chu river.Crowd at the site reporting the four wheels of the car had been stolen on the very night of an accident.There still must be the cruel someone who seeks joy in the mirth of someone's weep.

Well,on the eve of new year party,several cars were being dashed,some by sheer carelessness,some by alcohol,some by speed for EGO.There were more shows down the wintry roads.A Wagnor taxi touched the hip of blue CRV on the cross roads.The freeze and icy roads makes accident more prone.A private Santro swift through the path bursting the front glasses to pieces.Few policemen watch aside studying the cause.Earlier The national Newspaper paper reporting an alto taxi nearly get smacked towards an Eicher truck carrying iron beams down the Dochula snow paved ridge,however letting passengers unharmed.

There were many more nameless and countless incidences along the winter roads.A matter of patience,cool in you,slowing down the speed,attentive,be free from getting drunk or senseless,dropping down EGO,,abiding by traffic rules and regulations would not just save you and your car ,but the lives and soul that lay trust on you as you ride the wintry roads.Even in taxi or in someone's car,i would be bold enough but in the most courteous form to ask the driver to slow down for safety travel of me and other companion.

The number of cars had increased so rapidly especially in the city resulting into number of accidents one after another.

Several highway notice and warnings that alerts me frequently while driving are:

********* START EARLY,REACH EARLY ***********

********** SPEED THRILLS,BUT KILLS ************

**********IF YOU CAN READ THIS,THEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO KISS ME ***********

********** ACCIDENT PRONE AREA,DRIVE SLOWY OR SINKING AREA *************

By writing down all these,i don't meant to say that i m a perfect driver or a professional driving buddy ,but believe me,a cool and patience in you can matter a lot from going to workshop for denting painting,writng a statement and filing a case in the traffic unit while more than that, Life is more precious than anything else where ever you are.Some shady places are quite risky and slippery,all the time covered with frost and ice like the Dochula-Lamperi,Chelela,Tanalum area,Isuna Paro,towards eastern and central Bhutan like the passes of Thrumshing la,Pelela,Yutong la.

The results of careless driving can be at times so devastating,losing lives,while disabling our ability.