Paddy trekkin

March 29, 2025 · by Dano · in Paro

Today is Collette’s test day! For our last day, we will be trekking to the Tiger’s Nest in Paro. The trek takes 5-6 hours of constant up, then down hill walking on rocks, dirt, and some stairs, lots of stairs! Also throw in pack horses for those only wanting to walk half-way and you got real challenge.

If you can see it, we’re heading to that little white spot on top of this hill.

Bath time

Strolling thru the paddies…

But for today, we’re going to do a mini-trek that has some hills and rice paddies so our guide can see if we can make it up to Tiger’s Nest. This trek ends at, you guessed it, a temple. This temple was built in 2004 by the Queen Mother of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, with the intention of bringing peace to the world and to clear obstacles for Bhutan.

We started at the small house center-right, by the river.

Ahhhh, break time!

The trek itself wasn’t difficult, pretty easy really. Made it to the temple and unlike many other temples, this one we can go inside and to the very top level. The interior has four levels containing images of the deities of mandala of Vajarakilaya. Sorry, once again no photos are allowed inside so let me describe the deities. They are grotesque, evil looking figures depicted in scenes showing souls being trapped by them as they try to find their path to the next level. So, little clarification here. Unless you are very familiar with Buddhism, this can get confusing. In our crash course from Sam, he explained (several times) that life is a series of rings and levels. Once a person dies, their soul lives on to another level but not without trials and obstacles. These deities are part of the obstacles one faces while trying to find your path to the next level. If one takes the easy path, avoiding the deities, that may lead them to the animal ring where you would be reincarnated as an animal. That can be very bad for it is almost impossible to get out of that ring and back into the human ring. If you remember the deities you saw while alive (in these temples) you’ll know they are just kidding with you and you shouldn’t be scared. Right.

The Temple

Pagoda

Stupas

Do you see the face?

Me & Mom-Bear

View from the top

OK, not a lesson in Buddhism but part of the adventure. Successfully made it through the rice paddies, the climb to the temple and back so tomorrow, on to the Tiger’s Nest! Yeah!!!