Delhi, India to Thimphu, Bhutan- Day 2

Day 2 - Monday, November 3rd

I was up bright and early at 5:30 am after a not so great night of sleep. After a cup of tea and a small time later I headed downstairs for the hotel buffet breakfast.

I had some time to kill so back in my room I read the paper that was left on my door handle, and had two more cups of tea hoping it would help me stay awake for the day. I headed out a little early and on the elevator ride down the doors opened up and Randy happened to get on the elevator. We sat in the lobby until Tara and her daughter Aakriti arrived at 11 to pick us up to go to the airport.

The Delhi airport security to get in was intense. You had to have a record of your ticket and passport before you could even enter through the doors. Every bag was weighed. Tara lobbied hard to get seats on the left, with a view of the Himalayas. We didn't get them.

The security line checked passports and boarding passes again, then the normal scanners, then the pat down. Then to the lounge to recover. Tara paid for access to a lounge in the airport so I ate that buffet for lunch. Then off to the gate for another passport and bag check before getting on the plane. Ahhhh... Finally. After no sleep, lots of security checks and way too much caffeine I could finally relax on the plane.

On the short flight to Paro, sitting in business class, we got hot towels, free drinks if I had felt up to it, and another full meal. About an hour and a half after the last one. Yep, I ate most of it. The two people in the seats across from Randy and Tara didn't become occupied so they switched seats and I moved up. Tara's daughter was stuck in economy. Then, the Himalayas came into view above the clouds. And people on my side of the plane came up to the left to get pictures and see, as did I. And, if I never come back, I can say I've seen the top of Mount Everest, even if it was from the plane and from afar.

The descent into the small Paro airport was incredible, spiraling down into the valley, cutting the corner around the ridge, the wing on my side nearly brushing the tops of houses before then straightening out for the landing just in time.

Mom and Dad were there to greet us, along with our guide Tshering and our driver Sangay, our family for the next two weeks. So, off we went heading to the capital Thimphu.

They drive on the left side here too, and just like they do in India drivers dance with each other. They also dance with the cows, dogs and people hanging out and walking along the road.

We made just one stop on our way at a monastery with original iron chains built hundreds of years ago. They are still holding up the bridge, although it had been modified to add support. We just walked the area near the bridge and not up where the actual monastery was up the hill as people were living there.

After arriving at our hotel, the Taj Tashi, we had to wait outside for a crew to finish putting up a structure. The city is preparing for a visit from India's prime minister, who happens to be staying at our hotel. Thankfully we leave before he arrives. Dignitaries cause a stir wherever they go, just like it’s hard to get around anytime the president comes to Vegas.

Dinner was very late. Randy and the others were at two different hotels, so they picked us up very late after everyone checked in. We ate our first traditional Bhutanese meal, including the delicious but too spicy chili and cheese dish ema datse. We were also joined by a client friend of Tara's who is volunteering his medical services for a month.

Then it was back to the hotel for a sleep on our very, very firm beds.

Radisson Blue Hotel Lobby in Delhi