Bhutan: Images from the Road

600 year old bridge near Paro in active use today

Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Prayer flags along the highway in Bhutan. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

A beautiful woman who let us try our hand at plowing her field behind to oxen. The wooden plough easily weighed 100 plus pounds.

Kunzang Choden (20th generation manor house/palace in Ogyen (Ugyen) Choling village (2800m)

Kunzang Choden (20th generation manor house/palace in Ogyen (Ugyen) Choling village (2800m)

Ogyen (Ugyen) Choling village (2800m)

Yangkhil Hotel in Trongsa along the only highway in Bhutan. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Tshangkha village. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Buddhist Stupa in the mist crossing a 10,000 foot pass. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Phobjikha (glacial) Valley. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Festival at Gangtey Gompa Bhutan Festivals enact a specific and historical ritualized story at local festivals that occur througout Bhutan several times a year. Schools are out, everyone dresses up, brings a picnic, and spends the entire day watching dancers, clowns and singers. All festivals have the same basic theme with very elaborate costumes and masks.

Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. Largest city with a population of about 100,00 in a country of about 800,000 total population.

Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. Largest city with a population of about 100,00 in a country of about 800,000 total population.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Chele La, Bhutan’s highest motorable pass (12,500 ft) is home to thousands of prayer flags. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.

Chele La, Bhutan’s highest motorable pass (12,500 ft) is home to thousands of prayer flags. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.

Chele La, Bhutan’s highest motorable pass (12,500 ft) is home to thousands of prayer flags. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.

Chele La, Bhutan’s highest motorable pass (12,500 ft) is home to thousands of prayer flags. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.

Rice Fields. Scenes from the "highway"--the only highway-- in Bhutan. Two lanes, many switchbacks, much not paved. Houses are covered in clay, rice fields are terraced with only 7% of the land arable. 800,000 people in an area the size of New York City. Average altitude well above 7000 feet.

Prayers flags hundreds of feet above the valley at the Tiger's Nest Monastery. Shot across the valley with bow and arrow. Mounting prayer flags as high as possible helps the prayers be carried by the wind to be heard by gods.