Today was the icing on the cake, the climax. We hiked up to the Tiger's Nest (Takshang). Perched on a cliff 2000 feet above the valley, it is the most spiritual of all places in Bhutan. A devout Buddhist will try to make at least one pilgrimage to this shrine in their lifetime. It is the most photographed monestary, and justly so. It is tied to the cliff with little more than the hairs of angels. Legend says that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on the back of a tigress to subdue a local demon; afterwards, he meditated here for three months. It is a strenuous hike but the scenery is magnificent. There was a cafeteria halfway up that serves tea and cookies on the way up, a buffet lunch on the return trip down. All food is prepared on a fire, no cookstoves up here! The last bit of the climb is steps...I heard 700 of them! But who's counting? There is a waterfall along the way, too. Anyway, once we got to the top, guards keep your packs and cameras to insure no photos are taken, and no relics are stolen. All I can say is WOW! This is something that everyone should experience if they are healthy enough to do so. The hike was worth every step. And for those who cannot make it on their own power, there are horses available. I did not see anyone riding the horses, though. Most were being used to carry supplies up. We saw some monks carrying huge bags of rice and food. They said they will be meditating for Buddha only knows how long...3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years? Their meditation and isolation must be in 3s.
There were a few folks that didn't make it. We saw one lady being carried down. Perhaps she injured her foot...easy to do. My guide offered to carry my pack after about a 3rd of the way up. Thank You Sherab!
So I did it! I fullfilled this dream. I am one very lucky gal. Sherab says I have good Karma :-)
