Melanie on 16 September 2016
The plan today was we would see the Dzong by river – after seeing it from above, on our hike, walking through it and now to see it by river.
We woke throughout the night to the sound of pounding rain and overflowing gutters. It seemed in the dark that a rafting trip on the river would be out of the question.
The morning dawned clear and we discovered Tshering also had thought our trip unlikely.
The launching place was about a 30 minute drive from Hotel Vara. A lovely drive past the Dzong, past suspension bridges lined with prayer flags. Past a village with an old house in the centre, the 200 year old family home of the Galems a young women who was described as being part of a Bhutanese Romeo and Juliet – complete with tragic story. And past a monastery recently built high on a hill overlooking Punakha Valley. The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal , built by the Queen Mother for the well-being of Bhutan.
The raft site sat under a beautiful suspension bridge coated with prayer flags. Once at the Raft Launch site we were introduced to our guide from Druk Rafting Service – Tensin. He went through a briefing with clear instructions on how to stay safe in the raft and how to paddle. As we set off down the river we both felt confident and comfortable they we were being guided by someone who was very skilled.
I seemed to be on the side that took on copious amounts of water until we were past the Dzong and in seeming calmer waters. We were paddling as instructed when suddenly Chris was showered with water. Behind us Tensin and Tshering were chuckling. Chris commented that the entire river was calm except a tiny rapid – how had we been steered into it??
After a very pleasant and picturesque ride we were delivered to the door of our new accommodation – the Damchen Resort, built right on the riverside. As we arrived a group of little Bhutanese p0nies wandered past through the car park and down to the river. We checked in and dried off before heading out for lunch.
Late lunch was at the Hotel Lobesa and what a lunch it was – real coffee, little light puffs of bread accompanying a delicious buffet and friendly helpful service. The hotel itself was perched on a hill overlooking the valley with phallus symbols hanging from the corners and a lovely lush garden surrounding the entrance. Inside a display of Bhutanese artifacts, antiques, and mandalas – some for sale added to the feeling of authenticity.
Another trip to the Bakery was called for and oozy creamy eclairs were bought for a post dinner treat.
