DAY 5 - 27 JUNE 2024, THURSDAY

A Leisurely Start and Dochula Revisited

Another leisurely morning began with a 7:30 AM wake-up call.  After a refreshing cup of tea, a bath, and a delicious breakfast with beautifully arranged fruit platters, we checked out of Hotel Damchen Riverside Resort.

Today's journey involved crossing Dochula Pass again. Thankfully, the weather was clear this time, offering a panoramic view that compelled us to request a half-hour stop. We savored strong coffee at the cafe and captured more photos, including one of a high-end car with a unique license plate that Birkha identified as belonging to the Indian embassy. Geetha and Rohan also took this opportunity to visit the 60th Anniversary Garden.

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Rocky Mountains and Souvenir Shopping

The drive continued, with Birkha pointing out a dry, rocky patch on the mountains where vegetation was scarce. We eventually crossed Paro International Airport. Following Birkha's recommendation, we stopped at a shop selling souvenirs and tourist items. Here, we spent a delightful hour and a half shopping for mementos for friends and family back home, including some decorative items for Navratri Golu and specific requests from friends. This shop conveniently accepted USD currency.



The shopping spree delayed our lunch, and by the time we reached Paro city, we opted for window shopping in the central area before grabbing a strong coffee at Mountain Cafe. Finally, we checked into Hotel Udamwara Resort, where, like our previous stay, the sound of the river flowing beside our room provided a tranquil ambience.

 
 


Match Delay and Early Bedtime

We were eager to watch the India-England T20 World Cup match from our room, but rain had unfortunately delayed its start. With an early morning planned for our Tiger Nest trek, we decided on a quick dinner and an early night. Birkha suggested a 6:00 AM start, but we surprised him by offering to be ready at 5:30 AM! Having finished my Agatha Christie novel the previous day, I opted for an early bedtime tonight without any further reading.





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