September 18, 2011
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Bhutan 5 July 2011 (Day 5)
Location: Paro to Haa Valley- back to Paro
It was my happiest day in Bhutan.
We were so lucky to be there for the first Haa Valley summer festival. We had no expectation on the festival as it was the very first one and our guide had no idea about it.
It took us around 3 hours to go to Haa Valley and we needed to climb over a very high mountain in between. The scenery was excellent.
Haa Valley summer festival is the best festival ever. It was so exotic, so local, so special and I had so much fun!!!!!
The activity never stop and I enjoy every one of them. The simplest game is always the best game. The tug of war was the highlight of the day. We formed a team of tourists (so hard to find even 10 tourists there) and we were against the local women. Playing tug of war under the sun in Bhutan with the locals was just too exciting. I cannot tell you how was it unless you were there to experience it with us.Being a tourist in the festival = VIP. We were highly respected for no reason. The very important government officials were showing us around the counter of the local things. We did not need to queue up for anything. We could rest under the cover with the government officials, walked with them at the opening ceremony and chewed their Doma.
A lot more details to tell, let’s talk about it with the photos.
This is what I saw once I opened my room door in the morning!
On the way to Haa Valley, we passed the airport of Paro and saw a plane taking off in the valley. Look at the runway and the plane.
I like the dark cloud as the frame.
This is how it was when I was looking for my wild toilet, so beautiful!
We got on top of a very high mountain and saw Haa Valley in the middle of the green green range.
This tour guide looked like a Gongfu master in those novels!
Lydia was showing me about 白眉道人，crazy girl!
Finally, we got to the festival. People were standing around the stage for the performance with their traditional costume.
Suddenly, our guide asked us to stand aside as the government officials were coming for the opening ceremony.
However, right before they walked in, they invited all the tourists to start the festival with them.
The officials were telling us about the custom and tradition of Bhutan with all different counters. We were so shocked.
These cloths were all antique and hand-made. What a pity I never have enough money to buy all i wanted.
Their traditional shoes look so cool but it is impossible to wear this in Hong Kong.
The lady was making some raw noodles and Lydia loved all the local food there.
She was so in love with the food that she decided to skip our lunch.
This is their sex education!?!
Local kids are having fun while waiting for the bikers return!
Please look at the musical instrument that he was holding. It was exactly like what I bought for Jimmy.
As Lydia decided to skip her lunch because she was so into the festival, Jagu and Chimi went to have picnic with me at the river side.
See how sweet they were! They were preparing food for me while I was sitting along the river.
This cow was getting really close to me when I was eating. Luckily, it only ate grass.
We were back to the venue and there were a lot of activities going on.
This thing is very very loud and I heard that it is very hard to play!!!!
This is one of their very important national game. When Lydia and I saw the distance between the player and the goal, we thought it was impossible to hit.
However, this guy made it, not only once, but few times. MY GOD!! Look how did it happen!!!!
Look at the dot at the lower right corner, it was flying!
AND IT HIT THE GOAL!!!
Once their teammate hit the goal, they will come in front of it and start singing and dancing.
This tent is water proof but with a lot of holes. How would it be possible?
This is their tradition dance for important event. I am sure there is a legend of Buddhist story behind, but I forgot (Sorry Chimi).
We both enjoy the festival in different ways!
The bike race was a part of the festival. Bikers returned to the venue after the race.
These tourists were so serious about the festival, they even dressed in the costume.
Now, it comes to the best activity in the festival- TUG OF WAR!!
I was so surprised that tourists were asked to form a team. See how hard we tried!!!!!! The atmosphere was awesome when they all shout: 1,2,pull! 1,2, pull!
They were playing against another group of locals!!! It was so exciting!!!
This is my favorite photo in Bhutan!!
What a decoration………
Haa Valley got some really beautiful mountains. When I looked at these 2 mountains, I felt that they are something special, so I asked Chimi about it. He said these mountains represent different quality of a person. They really have their own name for it. Wao! see? I can tell……
On the way back, bye bye Haa Valley!
My beloved TERRACE!! Everywhere in Bhutan…….
