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We are feeling sad as we say good bye to all we have met. Thank you to all of the Amankora teams in each lodge we visited on our journey. Thank you Karma for you brilliant driving and thank you Nima for all of your knowledge, energy, and sense of humor, you made this journey even more special then we could have imagined. We will miss you.
Tashi Delek – (may all good things come to you) to everyone we met along the way.

The journey is not over, we leave now for Laos, via an overnight in Bangkok.

Enjoy some faces of Bhutan

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Our final dzong trek, Drukyul dzong built in 17cen. built to commentate the victory over Tibetan invasion.
The bath is traditional hot stone bath in spring water- Steven’s favorite.

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Our last day in Paro Valley

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We did it! We made it all the way to Tigers Nest. This is was quite a dream and accomplishment.
You might want to google it.

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Not suffering in the food dept. It’s asparagus season.

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We traveled an hour and a half to Ura festival, in Ura Lhakhang
Traditional costumes, the people are amazing. We had rain, but the show went on.

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We visited the temple where the 2nd Buddha meditated in the cave called Kurgay which means body imprint. He is also know as Guru Rinpochey which means precious master. He was here in Bhutan in the 8th century and is actually who bought buddhism to Bhutan. The temple was amazing built into the cave.

However, Yesterday we climbed two hours what felt like straight up rocks and narrow paths to Shugdra the cliff, where he also meditate in a cave. This one was quite a climb to get to and very small.
When we started out it looked like we were about to enter an Indiana Jones movie.

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By the way we often have to hike and climb mountains to get to these places 3 hours has not been unusual. In Bhutan you walk and climb long distances you also then have very long car rides to get around the mountains.
Here is a beautiful 17 th century monastery that we walked to and then walked to a local farm house for lunch . By the end of the day we are exhausted. Oh and if your not walking or hiking you are climbing stairs in the temples.

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After yesterday’s long ride, we are in Bumthang, we take off today for one of the two oldest monastery’s in the country one here and one in Paro. This one is called Drepung. I am told that this is where the first imprints of Bhuddhism began, this was built in the 7th century. Later additions to the monastery were added in the 17th century and again in the 20th century.
We lit 1000 candles in honor of our family and friends wishing all good health, happiness and long life.

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We have left Gangtey Valley and have started our five hour drive through the curvy mountain roads heading to Bumthang. We passed some Yak who had babies a few weeks ago, very sweet.
We made a stop at the largest Dzong in the country, Drongda, it dates from early 17th century. We met a monk here who had actually spent three months in Honolulu painting in the temple there. He also learned to surf in Waikiki, we called him the surfing monk. We gave him a copy of Edible Hawaiian Islands, he said it would help him with his English. He was kind enough to show us around the dzong.