Basketball and an audience with a Queen Mother

Our last day in Bhutan was jam packed with different experiences.  Bob took the morning off but I did not.

The first stop was to Buddha Point – think Christ the Redeemer in Rio but on a smaller scale.  The Buddha is the a statue of Maitre or the future Buddha.  It is still being built.  The Buddha and the pedestal he sits on are complete but the terrace still has to be paved and the landscaping was not done at all.  This site is on a hilltop which affords you a view of the capital town of Thimphu and the valley where Thimphu is located.  The interior of the pedestal was covered in gold with beautiful mandalas painted on the ceilings. One of the paintings on the wall was the god you would pray to in order to be more accomplished musically.  I said under my breath that it was too late for me, but my guide – an ever mindful believer – said it was never too late.  I have not tried to sing since but will let you know if it worked.  The enormous room in the pedestal will eventually hold 125,000 (no typo) Buddhas – 100,000 will be 8 inches tall and the remaining 25,000 will be 12 inches tall.  We were offered a chance to purchase our own Buddha but declined.  Currently there are 10,000 in place.

Our next stop was at Memorial Chorten, a stupa (religious memorial) built in memory of the 3rd king of Bhutan.  We all spun the big prayer wheels and circumnavigated the stupa 3 times.  The was to be a blessing on us.  While we were doing this there were hundreds of Buddhists, spinning the wheels and then circling the building.  Most had a string of beads, sort of like a rosary, that they were saying prayers with.

We next went to Dechen Phrodrang Monastery, Palace of Great Bliss.  This one was actually a school and the students were young boys.  One of the women did a video of them on her iPhone and they had a great thrill seeing themselves.  We also visited a nunnery, but it was lunch time and we did not see much.  

We made a photo stop to view Trashichho Dzong – a beautiful medieval fortress/monastery that now serves as the seat of government.

We were to have a picnic lunch by the river with dancers and an archery exhibition but the rains washed that out.  

After lunch at the hotel, I visited the Textile Museum, which had beautiful fabrics and artifacts from all over Bhutan.  It was co- founded by Melissa Gates.  A little shopping and then back to the hotel to get ready for our evening activities.

Bob was invited to attend a local basketball tournament.  He had a good time doing that.  Saw a game – but said b’ball is better in the US.  Also the officiating was better there.

Bette went to Raven House – a royal building – where we had a reception and audience with Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck.  She is a beautiful woman who greeted our group, talked personally with a few of our tour members and then we all posed together for a photo.  I am supposed to get a copy by email and will post when I do.

What a day !!!

I am sorry for being so wordy, but our unexpected Bhutan experience turned out to be quite interesting.  Here is some info about Bhutan.  There are approximately 700,000 people in the country.  They are predominately Buddhist – 90% or more.  The unemployment rate is 40% (again not a typo).  They bring in workers from India because they will work for less and the Bhutanese won’t do road building or other construction type work.  They have a king, but also have democratic ways with an elected prime minister and 2 houses of elected officials.  The former king, who abdicated so his son could lead the country had 4 wives – all sisters – and all drop dead gorgeous.  Wife 4 was the one we had the audience with, but is not the mother of the King.  They current King has a wife who he married 2 years ago. Education is free and mandatory up through grade 8.  They go to school 5.5 days a week.  The bright students will be encouraged to continue.  The government will pay for college in foreign countries, but you have to return to Bhutan for 5 years or you have to repay the cost of the education you received.  The main language is English with everyone also speaking the national language (not sure what the proper name for it is).  The national dress is worn by the people during business hours.  Men wear the goh – not sure of the name for the women’s dress.  You can not enter any religious site if your arms or knees are exposed.  The government makes sure that everyone has housing.  Cows and dogs run wild everywhere.  Bob said that a dog ran into the basketball game!  

Fitbit – 7229 steps, 3.42 miles, 45 floors