INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
is what the Bhutanese are so famous for:
the desire to ensure guests never leave
their kitchen hungry. We contently waddle
upstairs to our room and sleep on the floor
under blankets so soft and warm that we
feel toasted.
w w w. n e y d o h o t e l . c o m
Waking to scenery that will forever remain
etched in our memories, Mal and I join the
family on their morning chores. Milking.
By hand. I believe I was a jillaroo in a past
life, and I am an old hand with cattle.
However, I barely have a covering of white
in the bucket’s bottom before the cow
has finished her pail of warm barley and
vegetable gruel. By the time I have an
empty cow and a decent amount of milk
for the churner, Sherab has attended to the
other four cows.
Morning chores. Photo: Kerry Tolson.
Meanwhile, Mal is in his element. He and
Phuntsho, along with some local village
men and Phuntsho’s sons, all have their
heads under the two-wheeled rotary tiller,
which also doubles as the family’s car.
They are all having a happy, greasy time.
Soon the time comes to leave this lovely
family, but not before Mal is persuaded to
try his hands at Bhutan’s national pastime,
archery. He won’t be trying out for the
Olympics anytime soon.
As we leave the family follows. Bundled in
their little vehicle, they wave us off and we
take their warm smiles with us.
Bhutanese believe in a wonderful proverb,
‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, meaning ‘the guest is
truly your god’. The Bhutanese consider it a
great honour to open their home to guests.
To be that guest, it is indeed a humbling
honor to receive such generous hospitality.
A typical Bhutanese village. Photo: RMT.
Tucked away in the Himalayas of Nepal’s Kingdom,
amidst the most scenic area, there lies a Buddhist
Monastery Guest-house in the most peaceful
location alongside Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery,
just 22km or less than an hour’s drive from the heart
of hectic Kathmandu. It is located in the southwest
corner of the Kathmandu Valley close to Pharping.
Ornately decorated Bhutanese homes. Photo: RMT.
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www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
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