I think the thought of the Tiger’s Nest has me wanting to have a good walk. There is supposed to be a bike path along the river into town. So, I put on all my warm gear and head out. Stop at reception to get directions – no bike path! So I decide I’ll walk up to the road – but stopped by the pack of dogs – one barking non stop at me – guarding the gate. Decide not to take them on! A walk around the property – the gardens – down to the pond where you can actually get to the river. (No fish spotted!)
I grab my yoga mat, get another from reception, and set up on the grass, right by the river, facing the sun that is coming up now over the mountains. My exercise & yoga are really lovely here. I can feel the warming sun, though I need my jacket, fleece, mitts, headband until I actually begin the harder work & sun salutation. Only then down to the fleece. I see two planes take off – the airport is directly across the river. It’s actually really good to see them – the industrious, forward thinking, yet traditional Bhutan. And oh yes a helicopter – perhaps off to the highland games. We could go, but I think I’ll enjoy the pace of today and then the Haa Valley more. It’s lovely to finish with savasana when I have the earth beneath my hands. The sun is so warm and ‘day beginning’ on my face as I chant Ohm and remember most especially my dear Chuck. Good Morning.
Quick change and a truly western breakfast: watermelon, milk tea, pancakes with maple syrup, an omelette with brown toast (dark & crisp), jam, more tea, and to finish a chocolate iced doughnut!!
Off for plein air painting. The first location is a view point of the Paro Valley – for me a difficult task – so I decide on the mountains at the head of the valley. I am OK with the results, though a set of paints that include white, brown, and black would be great! I am using BEAM paints that Anda gave me. I’m new to water colours as well, so does not help. Using oil pastel pencils to sketch, and outline as well works well, and the BEAM paints cover these well. Two hours fly by. I think Jamyang & Kinzang got a good idea too for plein air painting. Hot tea & cookies afterward.
Lunch at the Meridian – they have an Indian Curry small dishes lunch. Sweet lassi to start. Memories of Chuck – though he liked salt lassi. Exceptionally slow service.
Off to scout a second location to paint again. Drive around quite a bit and I decide on a location to paint the Fortress. Quite fun but now I really could use white! The building itself I am OK with, the landscape I am not happy with. I’ll need to finish the Fortress later (windows & trim) and maybe I can improve the landscape! White sure would be good. Need to quit for today though as the light is fading and I’m getting cold. (I do indeed finish this small painting once I return to Powell River. Doing so has me wanting to do more of these small paintings. I usually do not paint from photographs, but decide I might, so I have picked out about 30 images and have just had 8×10 enlargements made. They are beautiful! Hopefully I will paint.)
Back to the hotel – Tashi Namgay – a rest and dinner. They do western – fish (BBQ) and veg – fish is Ru from India likely. To bed. Write & read. A bath. Why are the tubs so narrow??
Some of the animals and birds we have seen: Himalayan Monal (‘rainbow’ bird) – Ura Road; Common Mormon Butterfly – Trogon Villa, Jakar to Mongar; Macaque Monkeys – road to Khoma, Radhi, and Merak; Gray Langur – road to Kanglung; Yellow Throated Martin – to Khoma; Hoopoe (bird) – stupa field in Trashiyangtse; Leopard Cat – road to Haa.
Looking ahead a bit – to when I will need to say Log Jay Gay – See You Again!