I was looking through my telephone shots from Bhutan – and felt I had to post these lovely shops and doors. Wishing you a peaceful Friday! And, from Lignum Draco I learned that some of my comments might have ended up in your spam box – please check it out!
For Cee today – these colours lead me to the sea…but also to a Bhutanese farmer’s kitchen!
Mountain lakes almost always have these hues of blue green. There are many minerals co-operating to make it work. A fascinating colour.
This spring, I visited Bhutan, and met so many fantastic people and a landscape so different from ours in Scandinavia. Harmony – this is the word describing it best.
I eagerly noticed all the patterns in people’s lives – in clothes, buildings, decorations, religious paintings and habits…as well as patterns in Nature herself. Like the pattern in the header – the mules and horses trotting in a row – while the lines of the landscape, the roads, paths and fences, create natural frames.
I often try to find and capture the less obvious patterns, noticing that colours are not that important to make you see the pattern or structure itself.
But in most cases colours make an obvious difference, natural colours as well as man made ones.
Either you can find patterns in a sweeping landscape or cityscape or you can look at the little details. Any way, you will find that almost everything consists of just – patterns. Moreover, in our human society, they often have a ritual or symbolic meaning.
Among the most interesting patterns must be languages. When a language is written in beautiful pictures or letters – their special patterns will give them yet another meaning. Magical, isn’t it?
Life is beautiful in so many ways – and patterns are a big part of it. So, for this week’s challenge, share your interpretation of patterns— open your eyes and find new ones! In you own home, outdoors, man made or natural… Use your curiosity and creativity!
Have you seen these?
Great diversity, from Abrie Joubert of Abrie Dink Hardop
Henry Lee of Fotoeins Fotografie
Storm coming in from the sea, from Suzanne of Being in Nature
Thank you for joining the challenge and have an inspiring week!
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Books or Paper
At the end of this journey – I send my love to the mountains and valleys of Bhutan…
to all its beautiful dzongs and chortens…
to its pristine rural landscapes…
to the beauty of its religion and traditions…
to its lovely flowers and trees…
to its loving people…
and beautiful art…
to its healthy stone baths…
to its humorous games…
and to its beautiful children.
And my sincere gratefulness to our excellent guides, who really went out of their way to show us everything and to share their immense knowledge of the country and its people.
The lovely Jenny Adhikari (left) – find her here: https://www.beyondbordersnepal.com
And our eminent local guide, Rinzen (so sorry I never got his last name!). Thank you also for answering all our strange questions and spending precious time in the evenings to explain about life in Bhutan, its customs and religion!
We travelled happily with https://www.varldensresor.se/resor/himalaya/askdrakens-rike
Have you missed out on some posts in this Bhutan series – most of them are here :
Rinpung Dzong – Bhutan and Its People
Walking Home – Slow Contemplation
Thursday Thoughts – 108 Chortens and a Himalayan Panorama
Saving the World, and the Contents of a Pouch
Thursday Thoughts – Beyond Beauty
Thursday Thoughts – Thimpu in My Heart
Thursday Thoughts – Taktshang Goemba, or Tiger’s Nest
Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche, visited and sanctified Bhutan in the 8th century when evil spirits abounded and harmed people.
This was our last day in Bhutan, and maybe the one I will keep as the greatest gem
Let there be no sound, no words too many…
“Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have”
Buddha
Family is of greatest importance to the Bhutanese people
Magical forests too…
…Pristine in the fresh air of the Himalayas
Meeting so many lovely friends on my three hours’ journey
Taktshang Goemba
Turning back again, walking alone – but then again, not
“There is no path to Happiness. Happiness is the path.”
Buddha
Its Early mornings…
Mid days…
Afternoons…
…and Evenings
And my heart dreams of returning some day
Feel the air
Feel the wind
Feel the soundless flags
Feel
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Leya 
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