We were up, dressed and out on the hotel balcony by 5:30am hoping for a clear morning. It was slowly getting light but a couple of peaks were visible. Pensoc only managed to show his face at 5:45 (not 5:30) so it was lucky for him it was cloudy else we would have been very … More Early Mornings and Erect Penises – Dochu La Pass to Phojibkha Valley
After breakfast we caught the school assembly from our balcony as it is held outside. School children regardless of age all wear traditional dress and lessons are given in English, as is school assembly. Today’s speeches were on dealing with change and working with others. We left Haa and followed the river north, the road clinging … More Museums and Markets – Thimphu
We woke as soon as it got light as the room had no curtains, but this gave us a good view of the valley below, as there was some blue sky and sunshine. Having had a brief glance around 5:45am we went back to sleep partly because we were warm and partly because we had spent the … More High Passes and Marijuana Pigs – Kila Nunnery to Haa
Our first full day in Bhutan and our first sight on our list was Takshang Goemba (better known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery), the most famous monastery in Bhutan and probably the most iconic image of the country. It perches on the side of a sheer 900m cliff and is said to be held in … More Up and Up and Up – The Tigers Nest & Kila Nunnery
There was low cloud as we landed in Paro and we could see rain down in some of the side valleys. Paro is supposed to be a very dangerous airport as the flight path involves weaving between mountains at very close quarters. We felt the plane twisting and turning but couldn’t really see anything. The … More Peaceful Paro
The Indian taxi driver to the airport to catch flight number 15 was a bit of a maniac. We were glad it was early on a Sunday morning so it was nice and quiet. In India outside Ladakh we have loved the architecture and enjoyed the company of some of the people we have met … More The Land of the Thunder Dragon – Bhutan
The final day of our tour started with a 6 hour drive back to Delhi. The countryside scenery as we left Mandawa was really pretty but the inevitably slow drive and the heat in the car made it very hard for us to keep our eyes open and we kept snoozing. Every time we woke … More Delhi – Still hot, still humid but not so much hassle
Shekawati region is a collection of countryside towns that are known for its painted havelis (traditional decorated residences). While they are now in an out of the way part of the countryside in the 14th century the towns were important trading posts on the caravan routes. We were staying in Madawa in a heritage hotel … More Land of the havelis – Mandawa
After visiting the Taj, breakfasting and showering, we took a slow 1:30hr drive 40km west down the road to Fatehpur Sikri, which was once a fortified city (between 1571 and 1585) until the water ran out. The whole of the palace and pavilions are made of red sandstone and it was really peaceful. There is … More The ghost city & the pink city – Fatehpur Sikri & Jaipur
A ridiculously early start for the second morning running. This time to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. As it had rained on our way to Agra we had opted to see it at sunrise not sunset. Leaving the hotel at 5:45am it was light, relatively cooler and the streets were quiet. Our walk down … More Visiting the Taj Mahal
Marie & Emma's Travel Journal 