Buddhist Nunnery

A great day of exploring mystical places in Punakha, in spite of the drizzly weather. 
 
First a hike up to a Nepalese style hindu stupa on top of a hill, with spectacular vistas of the Punakha valley below. The path wound its way through rice paddies, across streams, and up crooked stone steps.Two hours up, a little less down. 
 
Then off to a picnic lunch, right at the juncture of two rivers meeting up and where the 2nd largest dzong was looming across the water. There's a budding rafting industry emerging and we were entertained by rafts coming down the 'female' river (the tamer of the two), as we hollered to encourage the rafters :)
 
A quick hop down the road and across a beautiful footbridge to visit the dzong. Its prayer room is one of the most ornate and beautiful I've seen on this trip yet. Unfortunately, no pix allowed inside. Shoes have to be removed and offerings are always welcome - from money to fruits and canned goods.
 

We finished the day's exploration at a nunnery, where we happened onto the daily prayer ritual (featured in my blip). The roomful of nuns (about 200 of them), all with shaved heads, was reciting incantations, led by a monk. We sat down and listened to the rhythmic chanting and soft humming. It was rather hypnotic and very peaceful. A very nice way of finishing up the day :)