Bhutan Canada Foundation summer reading program

Five Canadian teachers piled into a Toyota Hiace van with luggage and guitars on Friday morning to head east. The weather was beautiful and the roads were, well . . . Not. The entire road east is being widened, all at once. Each 10 kilomrtres is contracted to a different contractor and is in a different stage of construction.  Mud, ruts, gravel, blasting, narrow, bumpy and slow.  And of course road blocks, which are closures for certain hours of the day. Along side the closures families have set up road side stands to sell cold drinks, veggies and junk food. 

We spent from 9 am to 7 pm on the road the first day, and stayed in the Phobjika Vallyey at Yo Lo Ki guest house.  I had stayed there with Jon in November 2013 to see the black necked cranes. The woman who owns the farm recognized me! 

The next morning was hot and sunny and we dropped Gina and Aldo at their school. The principal welcomed us with milk tea, then there was an assembly under the hot sun. A couple of Pp ( kindergarten ) boys puffed out their chests in pride as they sang the national anthem. It was results day so parents were arriving and sitting on benches,waiting to hear who the class troopers are and then get their child's report card.

The three of us contained the trek with Passang Driving and Karma riding shotgun.  As we reached the height of land leaving the Phobjika valley, we caught a glimpse,of the Himalaya peeking out of the clouds.  Lunch in Trongsa the Yangkill resort I think. 

1. We dropped Robert at the Nature Resort in Chumey, where Becky is working and welcomed us. More welcome tea.  When we arrived at the River Lodge an hour later Pema welcomed us with a whisky as more tea was out of the question and in Bhutanese style, there must be a welcome. 

This morning we shop, then head to our new abode in Tang.