Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Really hot pics

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Hey Anirban...
As every One Said, LOVELY pics.. Just fatafati, kono kotha hobe na!!

Me (With my NS) and two of my friends (with their CBR 250) are also planning to explore Bhutan (including Western Bhutan) on Oct 2014.
Your pics are certainly inspiring, and the travelogue is informative as well.

few quries -
1) Hotel availability (especially at Punakha , Jakar, nad Paro) and their rates as well.. :P
2)Are there chances of facing rain on Oct?
3) how much time will it take to hike to the tiger's nest, and back??
4) Time takes for getting permits to western Bhutan from Thimpu!! and does the Thimpu permit office remain closed on SAt, Sun??

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Simply Amazing Photographs man!!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Bhutan Looks Different Now. You changed the way through the pics. Now, even I am inspired to keep this country in my wishlist to travel one day. Hats Off Bro. Your Photography, Rocks! Your KTM even added more fuel to your Photography.

Keep on Posting such an amazing pictures.

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

ok,,,, u cd have such wonderful pictures because u are using a fantastic camera,, then not that wonderful

u cd have amazing pictures because u were visiting an amazing place ,,,, then again not that amazing,,,,

aaa,,, u have so mesmerising pictures because u born with a sheer talent to study the surroundings those who do usually create such unforgettable stuffs,,,,,

i have saved all ur images ,, gonna use them as wallpaper,,,, if these are copyrighted ,,, i m ready to talk to ur lawyer,,,, hahaha,,,,,

Fantastic work bhaii,,, just so fantastic ,,,

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

I have not read the whole thread. Will do so in my spare time. But such amazing pictures. This is life well led. Congratulations and wishing you many many years of safe and happy travelling.

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Wow, Wonder full, any one can easily lost in those pictures...

VI. Central and Eastern Bhutan

WARNING: LONG POST!

Apologies for bumping up this thread again, and for the massive delay in finishing the logs. Got busy with other creative projects. But better late than never.

Thanks for the all the views and comments, you guys are too kind. I don't really know what to say. Thanks for inspiring me. I do intend to travel and explore our subcontinent a lot more, and find out what it has to offer in landscapes. Feel free to find and befriend/follow me on the interwebs and get in touch for anything.




IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO RIDE BHUTAN DO NOT MISS OUT ON THESE PLACES. DO NOT.


V. Central and Eastern Bhutan

So from where I had left off. I woke up at the crack of dawn as my alarm went off. And boy was it cold in phobjikha valley!



This was the view from my room's window. Grim and cold, with fog all around the wet valley floor.



Swapped to my tele, went to the balcony. However I would've needed a much longer telephoto lens than I had to capture the black naked cranes which migrated from Tibet for the winter. You can see 3 on the bottom left if you can try hard though. So I was pretty tired from the last days riding and it was very cold, so I went off to sleep again. Big mistake. Woke up at 10am again and was immediately pissed at myself for missing the good light. Kept sulking and went to explore the valley. The road that goes through there was exceptionally bumpy.



Rode around for an hour or so and I was convinced I need to return here.



Multiple streams run through the valley floor. Water is pristine and the sound evokes peace.



Valley from above



You can get that view from the Gangtey monastery, about 10-15 minute ride up the valley. The Monastery is top right hand corner in this photo.


The other side from Gangtey.


This little girl was playing with her puppy there. Not soft toy, real deal. Every kid deserves one.



Age of Empires III



Clouds looming overhead were casting shadows so it was pretty nice despite being midday.



She kept on playing with the puppy.



I kept on playing AOE.

Then rode down into the valley again.


Light was getting better.



The Village.



Then I made one of my all time favorite images from Bhutan, which is this one. And then run around for an hour to get back to hotel to pack and get back on the road again. I was aiming Trongsa for the night.



As soon as you cross pele la, Central Bhutan valleys open up. And as you can see here, they are an absolute pleasure to ride on.



Another favorite from Central Bhutan.


Views on this stretch are stunning to say the least.


Forests with waterfalls poking out every other kilometer is always nice! Your's truly did a rare waterfallfie here


...and then shot the sunset from here!




I could see Trongsa with the fading blue hour. Took a quick photo of the town from far. On the bottom left. Checked into a Motel (there are about 5 in Trongsa) and as always the mother-daughter running the whole establishment were the sweetest people ever!



Woke up early next day. had nice chitchat with the local folks, and started riding towards Bumthang. Black ice at shadowy stretches prevented corner carving glory for sometime.



This photo doesn't do justice to Yotongla. But I like having good corners first thing in the morning. At least for a couple of hours. Then a couple more. I live ten times more on mornings like this, than I do on normal days. So I was busy with that.



Rode down in Bumthang valley, this is the Chumme region. Wasnt happy with the light so kept moving forward.




Bumthang is a delight to ride through. Seemed like a different place than rest of Bhutan. Smelt different too!! Reached Jakar, bought some breakfast off a shop, and headed towards Haa. I was supposed to spend the night at Haa, because I had to exit Bhutan from Gelephu. Not Samdrup. Which wouldve been closer cause I had to ride back to Trongsa again. Stupid Government officials.



So then I took a butt break in this glowing tree alley 10kms off Jakar and had the food I had bought. Nice place to have breakfast, isnt it.

DSC_0882 by AnirbanBphotos, on Flickr

Sheytangla was deserted and had decent tarmac.




Close to haa


Haa valley was disappointing because of the time of the day, and clear bird blue skies. Couldnt find a decent homestay. So I decided to turn back from here and head to Jakar. This was my easternmost point

I had the tele on so I kept shooting the Duke while returning. I mean it can be hard to understand why would anyone shoot a motorcycle so much. Truth is, when you ride a motorcycle day in and day out for a good span of days, it becomes an extension of your body. More so, in these solitary spaces. And more so, for riders who ride alone. So every photo of the motorcycle feels like a photo of yourself.



yes

DSC_0943 by AnirbanBphotos, on Flickr

Did I mention Jakar-Haa is a fine stretch to ride on? whole of Bumthang is!



Asked around Jakar and ended up in this monastery around afternoon. This was there.




This road takes you to the Monastery which is in a different direction.



Then I found this place.



Pretty neat for 1200 INR, eh? The most I've spent on a room on this trip. It also had a neat fire chimney kind of thing to warm the room up. And you get Red Panda beer in Bumthang which is the BEST you can ever have. Brewed by the Swisshotel owner at Jakar, the label clearly states its unfiltered with natural yeast. And the taste is phenomenal. So much so that I ended up feeding the chimney thing too much wood that evening and I had to get out of the room because it got too hot Well they say everything happens for the best, and as soon as I got out into the courtyard I could hear the hymns coming from the monastery above in the hills. So then I spent the evening shivering and listening to that!



The next morning was crisp and bright. I was supposed to ride Jakar-Gelephu that day. 350kms seemed doable in 12 hours.




Exit bumthang 1



exit bumthang 2




Autumn colors of Yatungla. (Cannonballing. Its a thing)



Frostbitten



Met this wonderful grandpa 20 kms down from Trongsa. He was herding cows. We had a wonderful breakfast conversation over britania cakes and juice post which he obliged to a couple of photos. Language isnt always necessary to communicate with another person.


I was riding further down every minute at good pace. But all hell broke loose soon. I got restricted to 20kmph for 3 hours straight, courtesy broken roads. Power project. And they probably don't bother to repair this route as much, as it gets very less traffic. So kept cursing the officials at Thimpu for making me take this route, as long as I was standing on the pegs.




Road towards Zhemgang forests. Unfortunately I ran out of space on the cards here, and I couldn't look into it. Was busy canon balling.

WP_20131108_002 by AnirbanBphotos, on Flickr

A phone photo of Zhemgung forests. Dense and isolated. This opening came up after a good amount of time when I could see sunlight again so I made the photo. look up royal manas national park or Zhemgang. This was ULFA territory. Narrow roads. Cow herders around here at least have 2 dogs each, and they don't like the sight of orange motorcycles. Got chased thrice. And they were much more violent and aggressive than our regular city dogs. I reached Zhemgang town in the afternoon, Was already very late. Its a shame I had to ride that fast, because the massive drop post zhemgang was amazing. I rode till mangdichu after which dusk settled in. It took me 2 more hours to reach Gelephu at night. And they were the most nerve raking hours of my adventure riding career. I clearly remember crossing a Jeep and a Truck. Nothing else. Was relieved to see the guards at aju bridge before Gelephu. Then I rode another 1200 or so kms over next couple of days from near bongaigaon is assam to calcutta. Not that eventful. Ended up clocking 4k kms in 12 days.


North Bengal Sunset.



Thanks for going through the Ride Report. I appreciate it!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Wow....just mesmerising... I really want to visit this place now... Beautiful pics... [emoji106]

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Amazing photos..nice and crisp narration.. Great t'log. 😊
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Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Threads like these are real inspiration. Just one word to describe your travel and photos - "RICH".

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Amazing photos. Some nondescript location can give you an experience which even famous destinations can't. Ride on!

Sent from my Xperia L.

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

I am truely staggered by looking at your photographs. Seriously you are quite talented and brave too. Cheers and Ride hard brother.

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Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

You are truly gifted with an amazing set of skills behind the lens Anirban. Every image is a masterpiece.

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Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

An excellent, excellent travelogue. Bravo!