While I was in China and Austin was in Laos, Savannah was in Bhutan!! She went there with a group of other 10-graders from her school and two teachers. I included a map below to show you where Bhutan is.
I first heard of Bhutan about 10 years or so ago, when it was labeled one of the happiest places on earth to live. It is the only country to have adopted gross national happiness instead of gross domestic product as a the main development indicator. It consists of many steep and tall mountains, up to 23,000 feet high. The population is about 750,000 people and was only opened to tourism is 1974. The teacher in charge of this trip told us that the Bhutan government pretty much decides where you go as a tourist. You do not have free reign. Savannah was very excited for the chance to visit!
Welcome to Bhutan!
These pictures, taken from several sources, are not all in order. I tried, but it is hard catching Savannah long enough to get all the details! I am just going to go with how I have it. :) The students spent the first night in Bangkok, then went on to Bhutan. One night was spent in a hotel, one night at a farmhouse, one night camping, and the rest in hotels.
When a person dies, the Bhutanese mix their ashes with clay and make over 100 religious statues. Savannah passed by this on the way to a temple.
Another sight on the way to the temple. A Buddha statue.
Once the students got to the temple, the monks fixed them some local snacks. This was a type of fried dough, and it was very good.
This was a type of fried rice that tasted like popcorn. Also good. They were served butter tea with it, which Savannah did not care for as much.
One of the hotels.
These are not monks, but are women and they are called nuns!
They all went white-water rafting one day. The currents were really strong and they were on the water for about an hour. The water was freezing, but luckily there were no mishaps!
One of the places they visited was a paper-making factory. This woman is peeling wood that will eventually be made into the paper.
The kids were traveling from one hotel to another, when they were stopped by a mudslide. It rained every day they were there. They are sitting on the top of the bus, playing cards, and waiting for help.
Street scene
Along the way. A lot of these pictures were taken by Savannah, but not all. This one wasn't. I wish I could give everyone photo credits, but I am not sure who all took them. But they did a great job!
Getting ready to hike to the Tiger's Nest Temple.
On the way to Tiger's Nest Temple. They drove from their hotel to the beginning of the trail. It was a very difficult hike that took about 2 1/2 hours. For Savannah to say that, it had to be a tough hike. I think she is part billy goat!
I was trying to do some research on how the temple was built. I came across this blog post on hiking to the temple. I thought it was interesting. I learned a lot more from it than I did from Savannah! :)
No pictures were allowed in the temple itself. Once there, they walked around and saw all the temples there, about seven in all. They were guided by their Bhutanese guide who was with the group the whole week.
This was on the last night. There was a show of cultural dancing.
A spot by the roadside where you can light candles for religious purposes. And no, this is not the end of this blog post! Sorry! :)
The longest bridge in Bhutan
Churning butter at the farmhouse.
Being dressed in traditional Bhutanese clothing.
A traditional Bhutanese meal served at the farmhouse.
Several temples were visited.
Savannah's group brought school supplies and played with children in a local school. This was part of their community service. They also picked up trash on the way down from Tiger's Nest Temple.
Savannah and her friend Nathaly. Nathaly is on the yearbook staff and took some of these pictures. But not this one. :)
Now the blog post is done. This was truly an experience Savannah will never forget!
Now I have to get back to work on my China blog posts!
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