The alarm went off at 2:30 AM, and what with our jet lag still in effect, getting up was not too difficult. We got a nice man with a cart to haul our luggage downstairs and found we had time to grab some fruit and rolls from the buffet before the seven of us all exited the hotel at 3:25 into the blazing heat and humidity of Bangkok. In a few minutes we arrived at the airport and were first in line for our flight - not too surprising since it didn't leave until 6:50! But in order to get window seats on the left side of the jet, and possible view of the Himalayas, it was worth the early arrival.
We chatted in line until the terminal opened and David jollied the Druk Air lady into letting us all carry on our over-weight hand luggage! We went through immigration, exited the country, got some good decaf cappuccinos at the Mango Cafe, and finally boarded our Druk (dragon) Air Bus A-319.
We flew into the tropical haze over Thailand and then Bangladesh and were served an excellent breakfast of noodles with bok choi, croissants and tropical fruit. We napped and read for three hours and then descended into Bagdogra, India, for a quick stop. As soon as we took off again, we were ascending out of the lowlands and into the mountains. Soon we got glimpses of snow-capped peaks in the distance and then the plane started its zig-zag through fairly narrow canyons of pine-covered slopes and abruptly the Paro airport was ahead of us and we landed at one of the loveliest terminals in the world! All of a sudden we were in a magical land with beautiful, colorful buildings, many of the citizens wearing their attractive national dress.
Paro Airport
We met our ground crew and we climbed aboard the bus that will transport us all over the country. We are very lucky that there are only six of us, plus David, on this 16 seat bus, so we can all stretch out and be comfortable. The distances we will be covering are not great, but the roads all wind and switchback in this very mountainous country so the going is quite slow and we'll be on the bus a lot.
As we set out from the airport, we drove along the river that rushes through town. Our driver came to a halt and after a bit of a struggle an Ibisbill was spotted! A rare beautiful shorebird, large and slender, grey with a black face and a red bill. A good start to our birding!
We arrived at our hotel, the Khangkhu Resort which consists of several buildings scattered on the steep hillside overlooking the air strip. We climbed four flights of steps to get to our rooms. The young girl bellhops just scampered right up the steps with our heavy bags as we slowly plodded up! David gave us a whole hour to organize our gear, and then we set off in the bus for an Indian lunch at a restaurant, and then a bit more resting.
We gathered at the bus at three and set off through town, following the river into the mountains, through little villages, stopping frequently to bird. We found more Ibisbills, and while we were watching them, a parade of cars with headlights on and red lights flashing came by - it was Will and Kate on their way to the airport!! I missed which one had the standard flying, indicating that it contained the Royals, but at least I was within 20 feet of them, for what that's worth!
Our van passed numerous school children all wearing the national outfits as is required of them and government officials, plus many citizens who are justly proud of their country.
Our bus stopped by a house on which was painted a large penis - to scare the evil spirits away!!
We walked to a old dzong (a combination religious & government edifice which also served to protect the local inhabitants back in the days of raiding parties from Tibet). The sun came out and illuminated it making it very beautiful as we passed a giant prayer wheel. We started back chalking up Black-tailed Crake, which runs through marshy grass with its lime green bill and chestnut colored body, and a blue-gray colored Wallcreeper, quite a rare bird with lovely flashing crimson wings against the white sandy road cuts.
We got back to our hotel at six and had a buffet dinner. Tomorrow we drive up to the highest point of the entire trip - for a picnic breakfast!
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