Birding in the land of Thunder Dragon - Bhutan ( Day 1 )

Perched high on the mighty Himalayan range, the Kingdom of Bhutan has defied globalization and chosen to remain a hidden paradise, now slowly opening up to the world! I was thrilled to go back again, this time for bird watching.

Our journey began here

The busy border gate at Pheuntsholing

Common Myna enjoying the shade around a busy street

This white pigeon seem to be saying " me too here "

School children and govt servants strictly follow to the Code of National Dress. Savitha met these students and they happily posed for us 

Street dogs and cats are a huge problem in Bhutan..This NGO seem to be doing some good work

Most of the workers around here are from Coochbehar . This very pleasant, warm and freindly lady has been working in the same hotel where we stayed for nearly 20 yrs now...Hard to get such employees these days

Our one night stay in Pheuntsholing..a no frills , fairly comfortable hotel ..we paid Rs.800/- for a four bedded room..:-) Not a bad deal...

We booked this Wagon-R to take us to Paro for the next day..

Passed through amazing scenery

Landscape was awesome

That was the interior of the taxi with the driver, who was affectionately called as "Psycho" by other taxi drivers for the idiotic mistakes he makes

We saw this raptor in the distance..

Sun seems to be spraying light here

Along the way Green-backed Tit showed us few acrobatics

Rufous Sibia was on a balancing act

After an adventurous detour thanks to Psycho who drove us to Thimpu inspite of asking him repeatedly how far is Paro . Had to shell out another Rs.600 for hiring one more taxi to drive us to Paro. I was happy to see the beautifully lit Dzong and the museum again as we approached the town of Paro

A bit closer look

It was a long day drive and the next day too was to be a busy one..we checked into my fav. hotel in Paro, Hotel Jigmeling and snored away the night