Hedonic bicycling to Paro

The second day of April was the pre-planned day for five of us to travel bicycling to Taktshang. We were of five who literally planned to land on the cliff of Paro Taktshang.

Ozzie who was originally from the beautiful country called Switzerland was the brainchild of the plan on which all of us agreed excitingly. Another guy called Tay Powrie who was from Canada was very happy to join us. Sangay and Tshering were excited, too, as I did it. None of us had arrived at that destination except Tshering.

"Here we go," we shouted with astonishment as we meet at the Four friends express way at Babesa.
"Eki masho" I spoke in Japanese that I have learned of little when I participated in culture exchange program to Japan. And I used to joke with my roommate Tay often times. Only Tay understood. He laughed out and translated, "Let's go".
"We're heading Paro" we trumpeted as loud as echoing it back to the college.

Biking started.

We descended down through winding roads toward Chuzom.  Chuzom is the central spot which divides Paro to west, Haa to south-west, Thimphu to north, and Phuntsholing to south. The pedalling continued descending and ascending gently as we crossed Chuzom.

Around 9:00am, we rested on the way where there was a continuous flow of drubchu (holy spring water). The water was refreshing for us to replace our perspiration lost while pedaling. We had relaxing photo session to celebrate for making half the way to Paro.

The biking resumed.

My stomach was growling. I knew I was seriously hungry. Even Tshering had become  like withy plant with dry libs.

Ozzie and Tay were still vigorously padeling.

Unluckily, we were left by a friend from the half way. Sangay had to return for the critical class soccer match. After a couple of hours pedaling we're at the heart of Paro town. We looked for a restaurant. We had a heavy brunch.

We continued biking toward Taktshang, the tigress nest. My legs and buttock started feeling strange. Tshering was also gulping air as he pulled himself. I knew two of us had to leave the bicycles somewhere else and go by a cab. Tshering and I gave up pedaling easily, albeit the road been flat and straight as the Paro Airport.

Ozzie and Tay were understandable and emphatically helped us to find out a taxi until the base of Taktshang. Our bicycles were left at an Ecofarm house.

While Tshering and I went by taxi, Ozzie and Tay followed us by their bicycles. It was almost beyond the mid-day when Tshering and I were at the base of path to climb Taktshang. After half an hour later, Tay and Ozzie arrived at the base. Quickly we got dressed up and looked for ticket each.

       

As I heard, there wasn't such ticketing system to visit that sacred place before. It was the recently implemented social rule. There could be a rational justification for enacting such system. However, we couldn't get the tickets. The ticket cell was closed.

Still then we started climbing up the uphill collecting all energy regained from the brunch. Within forty-five minutes we could see the amazing shrine built on the middle of the barren step cliff. We started walking down the stair steps holding the rallings fenced to help the visitors to walk. When we reached down the steps, we had to look up to the temple. We climbed up without releasing my grip out of rallings until we reach the main doorstep of the temple.

It had already crossed 4:00pm.The entrance to the main temple was closed. There were few security guards in their dark blue uniform right at the entrance gate.

"Hi guys, you're late" one of the policemen grinned as he came out from a small wooden house attached with rocky cliff.

"It closes at 4:00 pm sharp" he continued. We just looked into each other's faces still gulping for air.

"I knew that so we ran here within 40 minutes from the base. And it's our first time to visit this sacred place of Bhutan" Ozzie exhaled with long sigh.

"It's true. We did try to reach here before it   closes, but we couldn't get it at all" Tay poured out his words who was ready in a typical Bhutanese dress with kabney (scarf).

The policeman turned toward me and asked, "Are you tourist guides for them". Instantly I replied "We aren't. We're the students of RTC and they are the exchange students. Please let us go visit the place quickly".

"Okay, but make sure no phones or cameras inside" the policeman warned. "Laso".
We quickly ran up to the temple where the wish-fulfilling stupa stood. The next place was, we crawled into the tiger nest cave.
The way into the tiger nest cave was so dark, but there wasn't a sign of sofacation , rather the cool air was continuously blowing in through the huge long crack.

Ozzie wanted to do a brief meditation. Tay and I came to the edge side of the cliff and meditated. I also chanted seven line prayers dedicated to Guru Rinpoche for few times using my brown rosary beads. Tshering Norbu was standing just below the last ladder to descend down back.

We climbed up back the zigzag ladders and descended down. It was almost 5:00pm when we started descending down Taktshang. The chirping birds were still singing the welcome song of welcoming spring season. The shrubs and leaves were dancing ruthlessly with the rhythm of cool wind. The red ball of sun was gently kissing the mountain warning us to hurry up.

As I walk down throwing my restless legs voluntarily, the cool pain of sadness ran down my spinal code. I missed the moment of travelling to Lauri with my grateful late grandpa. I was drifted to the old memory.

My grandpa was look similar to The Giver, intellectually and physically. However, he was a Buddhist by birth and believed in Karma. I still vividly remember his pony tail hair tied at his back. He started to keep long hair after he had three years of retreatm and meditation. He was my teacher,  protector, guidance, and hero who shaped me since my young age. When I was in second grade, he took me all the way to Lauri where he did meditation and spent his entire half of his life. The journey was of three days walk long carrying the rations at the back. There wasn't motorway. We had to pass through grooves of trees, I would just follow my grandfather listening to his endless folktales.
We're back to the base of Taktshang. It was dizzling as I looked for a taxi. The two international friends went by their bicycles. Tshering and I walked until the highway.
We had very late dinner at Ecofarm restaurant. The thick blanket of  dusk had enveloped the way. Now it was difficult for all of us to bicycle back. We looked for a taxi on the way.
Finally, we could manage a camper so that it carried all our bicycles at its back. The Thimphu town was serenely invited by dim street lights. There were few people loitering. We unloaded the bicycles and paid  the driver three thousand ngultrum for the reserved transport.
Tay and Ozzie had left the clock tower when I was back from just nearby ATM. I didn't feel like to go back to college that night so I decided to stay wth bother Tshewang at Taba. Tshering went to Decheling where his wife used to live there. I called my brother Wangchuk to open the door as soon I reach there. I was with remorse making such tiring journey by bicycle for the first time in my life.  At the same time, I had the memotsvle times with friends. I was also happy that I could visit Taktshang, an important scared site of Guru Rinpoche for the first time. I was too tired but felt blessed.

Today when I reflect back, I feel like to go again. I wish my two entertaining international friends are with us.
Our memories are always cherished in my heart.