2017 Himalayas - Bhutan Day 6: Paro Watchtower, National Museum, transit to Bangkok

This morning we visited the National Museum of Bhutan, which is housed in a building just above Paro's c. 1649 watchtower fortress that was damaged in a 2011 earthquake. The 7-story watchtower, Ta Dzong, commands a strategic, defensive view above Paro's Rinpung Dzong. 

 

 

The bottom two levels of the watchtower are without windows, with only arrow slots for openings to the exterior.

 

The museum had a special exhibit of ceremonial masks used in traditional dances for specific feasts, as well as thangkas, sculptures and other pieces of Bhutanese art. There were also sections on ecology, geography, wildlife, botany, etc. Everything was well labeled in English as well as in Dzongkha (official language of Bhutan). No cameras allowed, so no photos.

Forecourt of the watchtower. Broken panels are still being repaired.

 

 

After lunch in town, we headed to the airport to wait for our 4 pm flight to Bangkok. The departure from Paro Airport was as thrilling as our landing. After a layover in Kolkata, we eventually landed in Bangkok around 10 pm. I was seated next to a couple of Buddhist monks who were in transit to Taiwan, one of whom knew a little English, enlivening the flight.

We were greeted at our Bangkok with light refreshments in the lobby. Everyone was ready to settle in asap as we have an early departure in they morning for a few hours of sightseeing.