Day 13 – Our return starts

This morning comes the realization that our journey comes almost to an end. Today, in a sense, we begin the return home. After all, we drive to the border with India.

We do a few more small visits, say the last convulsions of our trip.

At 9 am we leave for Phunsholig which is about 175 km further and on the border with India.

We have a photo stop at the confluence of the Paro and Wang rivers where there are three stupas in one row: one Tibetan,  one Nepalese and one Bhutanese.

A little later our last climb of the journey starts: the Chapcha pass is at an altitude of about 2,900 m. During our descent in the afternoon, we notice that many boulders block the way, trees have been uprooted and broken branches are scattered here and there. Last night, a gigantic storm ravaged this region, resulting in heavy damage.

But even worse, we encounter two separate car accidents in the mountains where the car is catapulted  into the ravine. Rescue workers are recovering the bodies. I realize once again how dangerous it is to drive here in the Himalayas.

Before entering Phunt School, we make one last stop: the Karbandi Monastery, which was built in 1967 by the grandmother of the current king. This temple is located just next to the palace that she used as a winter residence.

We drive into the city, which with 60,000 inhabitants is the second largest city in Bhutan. The border with India divides the city in two. The gate that once opened Bhutan to us, is just behind the corner.