Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Awesome pics bro...Every single pic in this travelogue can be set as wallpaper, it's that good!!! One of the best travelogues I have ever read

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

IV. Punakha and Reaching Phobjikha Valley


Alright, let's start from where we had left off. So after getting the permits sorted the previous day, I began my ride towards the east of the Country by 7AM. I wasn't sure where I'd spend the night at that point. That's the freedom of riding solo, your plans are always flexible. Someone gave me wrong directions and it took me 40 minutes to reach Semitokha. Precious time wasted. I started climbing Dochula pretty soon and the roads were freshly laid and fantastic, for the most part.



Dochula Chortens



The weather was fantastic, the white peaks far away were visible. The place was filled with tourists though.



The 108 Chortens.



The ride downhill was absolutely fantastic. Always love corner carving first thing in the morning. But after that the road got worse and had to ride much much slower. Little did I know then that the top class tarmac of Bhutan is only located in the West. Had a breakfast of cakes and wafers somewhere by the side of the road. Permits were checked twice till that point.




A portion of Wangdue from afar. Its quite a descent from dochula and I remember sweating a lot, with all those woolen socks and warm cloths.



Ride through Kuruthang was fantastic and I reached Punakha quicker than expected. Went straight to the Dzong.


Central Bhutan 21 by AnirbanBphotos, on Flickr

This bridge looked wonderful, but was crowded at that point. I started exploring the Dzong. The lady security guard needed some IC, I needed a safe place to keep my riding jacket and lid. So everything worked out well.



Alignment.

This is the central courtyard and the praying hall, shot from the opposite structure. The guards asked me not to shoot the prayer hall and not to enter without removing my shoes. So I poked my head inside to take a quick look. Then I couldn't move myself from that spot for the next 5 minutes. The place reeked of peace.



Water monk



Flower monk



Lone monk



The second courtyard.



Had good fun exploring the Dzong. It was relatively empty.



The entrance



The Bridge



Exquisitely detailed structures.



The Dzong from the outside. It was about 2.00pm by then, and I decided to not stay and Wangdue/Kuruthang and to chase Phobjikha, giving lunch a miss.



Punkha dzong actually sits on the confluence of two rivers.


Kuruthang by Anirban Banerjee Photography, on Flickr

Autumnal paddy fields of central Bhutan.



The town of Khuruthang.




Rode to Wangdue, crossed the bridge over the river and started riding towards Pele La. After 5kms I remembered that this will be the last fuel stop before Jakar, so went back to Wangdue Phobrang. Some guy on a Pulsar went out of his way and guided me to the petrol pump, which is not on the main road and I wouldn't have probably found it if it weren't for him. Bhutanese people are the nicest ever!



It was getting late, I had quite some distance to cover, and the roads were bad news after 30kms from Wangdue. Spotted a group of Bulls (not Indians though) and this was the last time I saw a group of motorcyclists in Bhutan.



Densely forested mountain roads, with no human settlements for miles. Welcome to Central Bhutan!



Roads were not good and even all the mile posts were left white and empty. I knew it would be dark well within a couple of hours, I knew I had to take a right turn before Pele La. But I didn't know where I was and how far was my destination. Got a little anxious there.



After an hour or so, the climb to 12,000 feet Pele La started.



Got the golden hour somewhere before Lawala. I still wonder what it would've been like to get this sunset from the valley floor.


LawaLa.



Was relieved to find the right turn towards the Valley.


Entering Phobjikha.





This road led to the Valley floor. Phojikha has the same otherworldly impact that makes a place special. Like ladakh, for example. It was very different. Somewhere on the forest, a red fox with a white tail end crossed my path from the left. I quickly stopped, and it stopped too. Then after 10 seconds of strange eye contact, it ran away. The entire village road was in terrible condition. After a lot of asking around, I managed to find a Hotel just below the Crane Observatory. It was expensive, but it was completely dark by then, and they had room heaters The boy who served me that night dinner told me that red foxes are pretty rare and he hasn't seen one yet. It was November and the night was really cold. I could hear the mating call of the birds, and the sound of water flowing nearby all night.





Thanks for going through! Apologies for the delay is posting the logs.



Next upload will be Part V. Phobjikha and reaching Bumthang.

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Mesmerizing bro!

So when's your Flickr wala tlog comin' up? 'gotta new handle I see!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Thanks a lot, Sagar!
Thanks for the kind words, Raminder!
Hey thanks Bro! Dunno, whenever I get the clearance, I will. Which I think will probably be after the next Xbhp issue comes out

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

photographs are just awesome and stunning Anirban , one beautiful place to be added in bucket-list .. thanks for sharing and glad that you have done it ..

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Hi Anirban...fantastic travelogue!.... need some advice on the travel gear that you had on... what gloves, jacket etc.. i have a trip planned to sikkim and bhutan in the next 2 weeks.. any help/ advice is greatly appreciated..

cheers..

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Superb Pics.
They seem to be straight out of some awesome animated movie. #thumbsup

BTW, what would be the best time to visit Bhutan? Would 12 days be enough to cover entire Bhutan?

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Thanks for the kind words, Vaish!

Thank you, Vikod. I used a Cramster k2k with Nerve racing riding pants, Orazo boots and Cramster TRG-2/Tundra gloves. All the best mate!
cheers..
Thanks a ton, Raj. Either Spring or Autumn, according to me. 12 days should be more than enough!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Three good things in one person Awesome Photography, Superb Riding, Fantastic narration.
You are awesome.
Hope i will also do a trip like this in near future. Solo riding is always best.

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Amazing photography. ..loved the stunning bike pics. ..

Sent from my GT-I8262 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Hey Dude!!!!
I was an ardent follower of your Flickr photos some time back.. Lost touch have not been on flicker for a long time...
Came across this post by chance and dude I should say you always inspired me to take better pictures and now you inspire me to be a better traveler....
I have just booked a KTM 200 and awaiting delivery next week.... Would love to travel on that and take some awesome pics!!!!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Dude..
The clicks youve taken are some of the best ive ever seen!! [Trust me, ive seen my share of photography..]
Awesome man!! Keep snapping up more great shots!!!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Hats Off to you brother

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

The pics can put even a professional photographer to shame!

Re: KTM Duke 200. Bhutan. Solo.

Super pictures Anirban