The ride from Thimpo to Gangtey is breathtaking,nature changes at every turn and jumping in and out of the car every 15meters like a ninja all in black photographing the surroundings is the most exercise i have done since August....
We arrive late at amankora which is really lost in the middle of nowhere....how does Zecha find these places?! The interiors are very minimalist and beautiful but the exterior could do with some Bhutanese charm and to our amusement we hear that the locals call it "the cow shed"! The nice thing is that there are only 8 bed rooms and guests all have dinner together.All our fellow guests are keen travelers and great fun,we all have a good laugh.Actually i haven't laughed and giggled as much in a long time as i have since being in Bhutan.
Next morning Gaia and I go off to vist Gangtey temple which is amazing in it's beauty and size it incorporates religious activities and is also the town hall and then go off for a beautifuly dreamy hike at 2800meters which ain't easy on my little lungs!
from the alpine  surroundings of Gangtey we move to the more tropical climate of Punakha with it's paddy fields and more lush vegetation.the Amankora is so beautiful and all the staff
There are so charming.we set out early to go hikking when we are secretly told that the King of Bhutan is cycling from Thimpoo ,the capital to the hotel which is a 3hour byke ride!pas mal!
So as a sign of respect and of course by curiosity we stay and wait to meet him not knowing what to expect! we suddenly know he is not far away as police and govermnent cars arrive.
his Majestie's car has the coolest liscence plate ever ,it simply says:Bhutan.
the King arrives on his bike with three others wearing a biking top with the King of spades on it! He jumps of his bike,he is very handsome,only 30 years old,and immediatly goes and says hello to who is there and chats with us for 10minutes.Upon return from our two hour trek up to the Kamshup temple,the King kindly talks to Gaia,Alastair and myself for thirty minutes.He is Oxford educated and then went on to study in the US and warns Gaia that there is much to much drinking on campus.His Majesty has a presence with is both calm and strong. A wisdom which defies his age.All of us feel honored and blessed to have spent some time with a man who despensed with the small talk to have a very real discussion.