A really lovely morning for yoga. I begin with light in the east, on the grass, and about 2 minutes before I will begin the Sun Salutation the sun comes over the mountains. Now when the sun hits my face I feel warm – though it is still quite cold.
We leave at 9AM to drive to Haa Valley. The road is amazingly good, though only one lane. As we climb and then descend we once again pass through many different climate / bio areas. The mountain forests are truly beautiful. We will come to the highest pass in the west. As we climb we come above the tree line, just scrub / high desert like. And the snow capped mountains join us. This high on this absolutely clear day they are just magnificent.
At the pass we loudly call 3 times ‘Lha Gyelo’. I’m actually getting it now. We get out and Jamyang & I walk a way up to the first rise. I certainly don’t want to climb higher. But even getting this bit higher, away from the road, with hundreds & hundreds of prayer flags blowing in the strong wind is really a meditative moment. It does indeed feel like ‘the top of the world’.
Head off, and stop a bit on for a tea and car car cookies. A lovely view of the mountains on the far side of the pass. We descend, again passing through many different landscapes. And as our first cow comes along, it is a sign of people to come. (Oh – we did pass a herd of yak in a high meadow.)
Our first view of Haa Valley is excellent. It really looks a beautiful valley – and of course the Haa River. Also, a large pond, as there is a rainbow trout hatchery here – funded by Canadians it turns out.
The army has a large training centre in Haa, and this is one of the reasons it only recently opened to tourists. China is close by. You can not actually travel past Haa.
Our resort looks very nice – and lunch is ready. They seem to want to serve one meal to me (western) and another to Jamyang & Kinzang (Bhutanese) – but we share all. I do hope this does not recur if we are to eat together.
Off for a rest (we did stop at the temple coming into town).
My room – upstairs – though I wish it was on the main level – as I don’t really like the traditional stairs, as they have a somewhat ladder quality. But they want me to have the best view. The room is frigid! Really very cold. I get a heater – though it’s not doing much. I really can’t do anything in the room except get into bed as it’s just too cold. Finally give up and go to the dining room to write and read. A good glass of wine and a heater! This is going to be a long, cold night.
It does prove to be so. By the mid point I have on a T Shirt, nightgown, long silk underwear, fleece top, & cashmere socks. At this point in bed I’m not really cold (certainly cool) but all these clothes make a comfortable sleep impossible.
Morning can not come soon enough!