Taktsang

Last Sunday we walked up to Taktsang, the Tigers Nest monastery in Paro.

Erm... buildings of some sort. By a stream.

Prayer wheel.

Ugyen turns prayer wheels.

First view of the monastery. Both inspiring and absolutely terrifying for people wheezing in high altitude, some of them incredibly hungover.

Lighting butter lamps on the way up.

We couldn't take photos inside, but we made many offerings, were given butter tea and rice, and met the monastery cat.

On the way down.

View over Paro valley.

Wildflower.

This is Dorji. He was guiding two young guys who were riding ponies up who very kindly, if abashedly, allowed me to take their photo (I won't include it here to protect their shame), and Dorji asked me if I wanted to take his photo too, so I said yes!

Totally unforgettable.

The princess

I am talking on the phone to Sara and am posting a photo of the princess for her. I didn't take this photo because I was not official, I have surreptitiously ripped it off the Bhutan Observer website.

Welcome to Land of Thunder Dragon

Some random photos while I try and get my stuff together. Rather simply, Bhutan is pretty amazing.

Miniature stupas in a holy site:


The ubiquitous chilli:


Paro valley:


Dancers in the chripdel procession to welcome the princess to open the workshop:

Mist over the hotel:

Apples are in season, scales are not electronic:


Taktsang - the Tiger's Nest monastery:

Mei Ling, Jerome & Bee Kuan come for lunch

Soupe aux topinambours.

Salade de pommes.

Gnocchi alla Romana.

Porc roti, cavolo nero.


Il y'avait une tarte au chocolat aussi, mais pas de belles photos.

Bella Vedere - miam!

Merci a Jean pour le super-beau souper chez Bella Vedere! Un tres beau cadeau de fete pour le petit ti-loup (et sa femme!)

Tagliarini avec caviar et beurre.

Les huitres!

Mon dieu, un tellement bon vin blanc - un Chardonnay du Yarra Valley.

The stupid New Years Resolution food list

Here is the laksa. I also made clafoutis but forgot to take a photo, and have made a cinnamon buns mark 5, which just gets better and better each time.

Hopefully cured duck breasts and the fondue suisse next, but holy crap - what a pain in the arse!! What was I thinking???

Jason est un homme d'AFFAIRES

Pain - eventually

Ahem... where were we?

Step 3 = When doubled in size, punch down. Forget to take photo of this step. Curse.

Step 4 = Shape and leave to prove again. Feline audience optional.

Step 5 = Bake until cooked. Admire.


Step 6 = Wait as long as you can (usually 23 seconds) before slicing in.

Step 7 = Smother with sweet butter and homemade raspberry jam.

Step 8 = Apply to face.


Voila! Pain!