Bhutan Trip Day 1 and 2 - 23 and 24 June 2015 Blogger's Meeting in Thimphu

Yalama kheno!!! The holiday that is supposed to chill and relax, turns out to be the most tiring one!!! I think this has to do with my horoscope this year no? Don't tell me that I have to quit traveling too if because of too many activities then I'll have no time to write my blog and I'll have to resign from traveling? :P He-he..

Drizzling rain welcome me to Bhutan :)

It's my third trip here in Bhutan. It was actually last minute decision since I had had enough doing the same things for the past six years on my job and I guessed it's time for me to move on and take a little longer break before started to find the new one.

At the same time I would love to find out too what kind of job that will suit me for my next career path. Who knows I could get some lights that leads me on where to go and what to do.

I'm trying to do something that suits with my skills, ability, knowledge, and most importantly passion. And when my blogger friend, Rekha, offered me to stay at her place if I happen visiting Bhutan, I accepted her offer almost immediately!

From Paro airport - our visit to open air bushes to attend nature calls :P

Luzee was exciting upon hearing that I wanted to come. She asked Kuenza to help me with the visa. Three of them had spent so much time and effort helping me out with all the arrangements. I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude from the bottom of my heart for everything that all of you have done to me. Thank you, thank you, and thank you three wonderful ladies for your help and hospitality la!

Hearty Bhutanese meal warmed my stomach and hearts :)

Before coming here, I made list of plans on what to do and whom to meet for each and everyday of my stay here in Bhutan. It required lots of planning and arrangements as I have sooo.... many friends to visit since it wasn't easy for me to come here :)

With Bhutanese bloggers at Bloggers Meeting

To make it easy, I suggested Luzee, Kuenza and Rekha to ask Nawang to arrange for the bloggers meeting 1.5 months earlier before my arrival so that everyone could all meet up at one place only - those who stays all over Bhutan, or those who are currently having school break within and outside Bhutan.

Many fresh faces and first time meeting (Left to right: Lobsang Nima, Sonam Chokie, Au Yeshey Dorji, Ugyen Zangpo, Chador Wangmo, Pema Wangyel, and Sangay Khandu)

First time met but felt like knowing them for ages ^^

Some I had to personally inform them far in advance to ensure they were able to attend. And not bad lah! Many managed turning up for the event (35 bloggers attended the event yesterday night). Read more what the meeting was about here (by Passu), here (by Nawang), here (by Chador Wangmo), here (by Rekha), here (by Binita), and personal minutes written by Peky Samal here.

Bhutanese Bloggers Meeting Group Photo - 24 June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan

Since the very first day I had to travel so many hours to reach Bhutan through Bangkok.  I chose this way because I thought if many Bhutanese could do it that easy, I too, sure will be able to do the same.

So that night it was seemed so long. I had to lie down on the bench inside the passenger claim baggage area inside the airport for more than 4 hours in the middle of the night 12am Bangkok time until 4 plus am, the checking in time. Again in airplane, I couldn't fall asleep.

After touching down to the airport, I had to queue twice for immigration since I was confidently queuing without filling the arrival immigration form. Rekha who fetched me at the airport, thought something happened to me that I couldn't arrive (I was the last passenger who appeared from the exit door :P)

My 'feeling like my home sweet home' place. Always! :)

Then we had to do many things such as: buying bus ticket to Bumthang, buying phone prepaid card, having Bhutanese food lunch with these three wonderful ladies, applying the route permit at the immigration office, changing money currency, and when we almost wanted to go home, I remembered that there was one more thing I wanted to do on my arrival day, which was visiting Memorial Chorten to thank Buddha for my good karma that I could land here safely and lighted up the candles wishing for everyone's good health and happiness. Only then we went back to her house.

I took a bath and sipped in the chai or milk tea, accompanied with banana bread. At 5.45pm, despite lack of sleep and rest, I went up to Sangaygang alone as Rekha stayed at home preparing our meal for dinner. She stays at Mothithang area, my favorite place to stay in Thimphu since it's located so near to Sangaygang.

Thimphu city view from Sangaygang :)

As I took the short cut way, I felt getting much older now and my physic was not as strong as before. Every few steps I climbed, I lost my breath and my heartbeat was going so fast until I was afraid if it's going too fast, it would refuse to work any longer. Therefore I had the journey slowly, taking so many stops to rest and simply enjoying the scenery.

Many people had bypassed me and I had to keep calm and think that I wasn't attending competition here. So why should I rush? I couldn't compare myself with them no? Maybe there were here for so many times, building their stamina and walking speed. And for them, climbing is part of their daily life no? Unlike Singapore that having a flat road and we are pampered with escalators and lifts everywhere! Anyhow, I enjoyed the walk. I felt so peace and happy until it was raining. So my first day in Bhutan, I already had to dance under the rain :P (as Kipchu said, I got blessed with monsoon la!) ;)

Welcome dinner and wine celebration ^^

Good thing that dinner was ready when I reached Rekha's home. After drying my hair and changing my clothes, we had our welcome meal cooked especially for me, plus one bottle of wine to celebrate my arrival! Once the bottle empty, I went directly to my bed and had a really good night sleep.

However, it doesn't last long. At 3am I was awake and instead of going back sleeping, I browsed Internet and then packing my bag for my upcoming journey. 5 hours sleeping wasn't enough but I didn't feel like wasting my holiday just to stay at home and sleep. Continue trip day 3 here.