DAY 4 - 26 JUNE 2024, WEDNESDAY

A Leisurely Morning and Dochula Pass

Unlike the previous mornings, we enjoyed a slightly later wake-up at 7:15 AM on our departure day from Thimphu. Since we hadn't pre-ordered a Jain breakfast, the hotel staff took some extra time to prepare a delicious spread of poha and paneer paratha. With piping hot tea, it was a delightful start to the day. By 9:30 AM, we checked out and headed towards our first stop – Dochula Pass.




Dochula's Enchanting Embrace

The 40-minute drive to Dochula Pass was met with a light drizzle and a captivatingly foggy landscape. We toyed with the whimsical idea of unpacking and settling down here forever! We visited the 108 stupas, capturing several photos before warming up with hot coffee at the adjoining cafe. Malli craved a strong coffee, but the cafe's idea of "strong" involved a tea bag taking a dunk in the coffee brew.

 
 


Descending to Punakha Dzong

With a touch of reluctance, we left Dochula and began our 2-hour descent towards Punakha. Our next destination was the world-famous Punakha Dzong, a majestic palace situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers. Divided into three sections, the dzong housed local administrative offices, culminating in a final section with a colossal Buddha statue. Once a fort palace, it now serves administrative purposes and shelters monks.


Suspension Bridge and Riverside Relaxation

Our next stop was a 170-meter suspension bridge spanning the Po Chu River. We crossed it twice, as our lunch destination, arranged by Birkha, was situated on the opposite side from the parking area. After a simple lunch, we recrossed the bridge and boarded the vehicle towards our hotel.



Riverside Retreat and Local Delights

We checked into Hotel Damchen Riverside Resort, a scenic property nestled right on the riverbank. The sound of the flowing water was a constant companion from our rooms. To further immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere, we visited a nearby children's park and the vibrant vegetable market.


With some downtime before dinner, I settled into my e-book haven on the hotel balcony. With his new job kicking off on July 1st, Rohan managed to squeeze in a virtual induction meeting for new hires, all from the comfort of his hotel bed.


 

A Rewarding Evening

After a satisfying dinner, I finally finished Agatha Christie's "The Man in the Brown Suit," drifting off to sleep with the satisfaction of solving the mystery.

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