WPC: Unlikely

/ Leya / 21 kommentarer

When visiting a blogging friend, Maria, some years ago, (being a tree lover just like me…) she wanted to show me a tree she loved to take photos of.  We hit the icy roads and found the tree. The sky looked great, and I took a photo of the tree too, standing alone there in the open, snowy field.

When we turned back to the car, suddenly a plane came into view – totally unexpected and rather spectacular. I was lucky to catch it with my camera. A very unlikely moment.

 

I Can Feel May Coming…

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

The beech trees displayed their first leaves this week – and I am constantly in love with this time of the year. May – the most enchanting month of them all.

When the almost lime green beech leaves cast a veil over the last wood anemones…

… when the meadows shine with so many shades of green…

…and white

…and the old giant is still with us.

The rays of sun play hide and seek among the fragrant trees…

…and the tiniest saplings do as well.

I would not want to be anywhere else in the world – than in my forest and its meadows.

 

 

Rainy Friday – The Last Magnolia Magic

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

Today it was cold with heavy showers and only short glimpses of sun. I feel so sorry for my magnolia…last year she froze black after one single day in the sun, this year the lovely white and pink petals are heartlessly smashed to the ground.

 

I thought I would honor her beauty before she is gone. With raindrops in her hair, she is still a grand Lady in all her splendor. Wish you all a great weekend.

Thursday Thoughts – Beyond Beauty

/ Leya / 21 kommentarer

In the fertile Punakha Valley, where the Mo Chhu (Mother river) and the Pho Chhu (Father river) meet, lies Punakha Dzong – Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). It was constructed in 1637 and maybe the most impressive building in Bhutan – also considered the most beautiful dzong in the country.

Bhutan 2018 663

The very size of Punakha Dzong is impressive, 180m long and 72m wide, but the elaborately painted gold, red and black carved woods, the brass roof and the location adds to the light perfection.

You walk the bridge, and enter through this gate…
…pups lying in the sand under the trees…
The first court yard with the huge chorten and the old bodhi tree.

Punakha served as Bhutan’s capital for over 300 years and the first king was crowned here in 1907. Since the mid 1950’s, Thimpu is the capital, but Punakha is still the center for official meetings, the kings’ weddings and other important ceremonies.

In this temple, in the southernmost courtyard, lies important relics in a sealed casket. Only the King and the highest Lama may enter this room …
– except for the guards.

The dzong, like all the other dzongs in Bhutan, has suffered fires several times, but is always restored. Due to its location by the two rivers, it is also vulnerable to the floods following climate change. In 1994 a glacial lake burst and destroyed parts of the building, and before that, in 1897, there was also a severe earthquake.

The temple is grand and holds thrones for the King as well as for the high Lama.

There are 300 monks in the dzong, and our guide told us that today the monastery schools are almost like ordinary schools – you take different subjects like science and mathematics along with languages and the scriptures.

Meeting over…
…two of the monks carrying the books, the scripture rolls, back.

The young monks are very curious and good at English.

The junction of the two rivers, seen from inside the dzong.

And so we left this magnificent fortress – without using the middle, golden steps, made for the King only. A breathtaking visit – only there was so much more we wanted to see, hear and learn – but maybe next time…