A Selection of Somewhat Random Photos from the First Six Months in Bhutan, Batch #1

Since arriving here in January, I have taken an impressive number of photographs.  Many are not worth sharing, but there are a few that I think might help convey my experience here, as well as the changing landscape of the Punakha Valley from January to June.  I thought I'd post these in small batches so as not to overwhelm.

The Himalayas on the Border of Tibet from Gasa (north of Punakha)

Cat in Punakha Dzong

Dechen, me, Wangmo and Gakey wearing our gift from the King after the Royal Visit

Morning Assembly at school: Girls are wearing their red rachus over their shoulders
and boys are wearing their white linen kabneys. This is formal
wear for the day of our school rimdro when the building was
blessed and purified by monks. Note the sleeping dog.

Prayer flags looking south from Chime Lakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kinley,
the Mad Monk of Punakha. It is believed that if a woman is blessed here
by being tapped on the head with a wooden phallus by one of the
resident monks she will become pregnant.

Thubten Senge walking over the bridge to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal
Chorten (a new temple built across from Kabesa on the Mo Chhu)

I bought this mug in Thimphu!