Thimpu, Bhutan
Friday, 4 September 2009
Jackie Lallier wrote "It was neat to awake at 3:30 AM and watch the clouds move over the mountains. There were dogs barking all night long. We were off on the bus at 9:00 and noted a lot of dogs sleeping all over the place (they must have been really tired!). The three big sins are (1) physical- bodily harm; (2) mind - bad thoughts; (3) speech - bad talk. We went to the 1974 National Memorial
Chorten dedicated to the third king who reigned from 1928 to 1972 (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck) and all turned the prayer wheels. We then stopped at the Takin Reserve where we observed the national animal of Bhutan that is a goat of the antelope family and stopped again to view the town from the hills. To get Gross National Happiness Commerce, you need: (1) good government; (2) economic hydro-electrics; (3) culture; (4) good environment. Lumber is a good business as they are constantly re-p1anting trees. In 1872 they had a 5.8 earthquake. We had a chance to attend a HUGH prayer service at a former monastery, now a Buddhist college where the Chief Abbot was in attendance. One billion mantras were being said here.
From there we stopped at an Arts and Crafts School, "Zorig Chusum" where mask carving was being done that takes 4 years to learn how to make. We also observed railings, gold & silver smithing, statues from black clay, the sewing room where they make boots and altar clothes, embroidery, & painting on canvas.
Then we went to the National Library with eight comers that has the world's largest book (Friendly Planet = 7' x 5').
We had a wonderful lunch on the third floor of a lovely restaurant before going to the post office where some of our group had their picture put on stamps. Then we were off to the Textile Museum of Bhutan and the Jungshi Paper Factory. They use bark, soaked in water, then cooked in a brick kiln with ashes. The bark is boiled and the pulp comes out for recycling. Glue is made from hibiscus from Japan. The material is stacked and dried.
We next visited an extensive Farmer's Market including powdered & unripe roasted com, bitter gourd, fiddle head fern, & dried cow skin. At 5:00 (after business hours) we went to see the Golden Throne in the building where the king and the government works. We had a nice supper in a cafe up the hill with strawberry ice cream for dessert. "
Jackie Lallier wrote "It was neat to awake at 3:30 AM and watch the clouds move over the mountains. There were dogs barking all night long. We were off on the bus at 9:00 and noted a lot of dogs sleeping all over the place (they must have been really tired!). The three big sins are (1) physical- bodily harm; (2) mind - bad thoughts; (3) speech - bad talk. We went to the 1974 National Memorial
Chorten dedicated to the third king who reigned from 1928 to 1972 (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck) and all turned the prayer wheels. We then stopped at the Takin Reserve where we observed the national animal of Bhutan that is a goat of the antelope family and stopped again to view the town from the hills. To get Gross National Happiness Commerce, you need: (1) good government; (2) economic hydro-electrics; (3) culture; (4) good environment. Lumber is a good business as they are constantly re-p1anting trees. In 1872 they had a 5.8 earthquake. We had a chance to attend a HUGH prayer service at a former monastery, now a Buddhist college where the Chief Abbot was in attendance. One billion mantras were being said here.
From there we stopped at an Arts and Crafts School, "Zorig Chusum" where mask carving was being done that takes 4 years to learn how to make. We also observed railings, gold & silver smithing, statues from black clay, the sewing room where they make boots and altar clothes, embroidery, & painting on canvas.
Then we went to the National Library with eight comers that has the world's largest book (Friendly Planet = 7' x 5').
We had a wonderful lunch on the third floor of a lovely restaurant before going to the post office where some of our group had their picture put on stamps. Then we were off to the Textile Museum of Bhutan and the Jungshi Paper Factory. They use bark, soaked in water, then cooked in a brick kiln with ashes. The bark is boiled and the pulp comes out for recycling. Glue is made from hibiscus from Japan. The material is stacked and dried.
We next visited an extensive Farmer's Market including powdered & unripe roasted com, bitter gourd, fiddle head fern, & dried cow skin. At 5:00 (after business hours) we went to see the Golden Throne in the building where the king and the government works. We had a nice supper in a cafe up the hill with strawberry ice cream for dessert. "
Labels: Bhutan
posted by DT at 10:38 AM
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