our first scenic stop

not far out of paro, we made our first stop to see a bridge over the river that leads up to a momentary. the original chains on the bridge date back to the 14th century... but the current surface is more wired together chain link fence. sturdy, but slippery. covered in prayer flags flapping in the wind over the rushing river. I definitely feel the overwhelming beauty of the place already. 

the gate house to the bridge was a shelter for travelers passing through before the big roads were put in in the 60's. it is a sturdy little building with elaborate paintings of the guru rimpoché (left), buddah (center), and the first king who United Bhutan (right).