We have been slowly traveling through Bhutan on its central East/West highway for the past week, from Paro to Bumthang. We have been visiting monasteries, dzongs (forts), temples, villages and doing some hiking. This country is so beautiful.
The highway is a one lane sometimes dirt, sometimes paved road that continuously WEAVES and WINDS through the mountains; there is rarely a straight portion. We are literally traveling around the mountains. Though the road is one lane, two lanes of traffic travel the road and when another car is coming toward you, one of the cars has to veer over to the side. It seems like the car/truck/bus with the "best" "shoulder" to pull to the side, does so.
Our driver, Leke, is amazing and we never feel unsafe. I have noticed that we are usually driving in second gear, so that tells you how slow we are moving because of the road conditions. They are full of pot holes and sometimes mostly washed away due to rain.
Yesterday, we were driving East from Punakha to Trongsa. Along the way we were passed by many members of the Bhutanese Royal Family. About every 20 minutes there would be a lead car with flashing lights, followed by a car with members of the Bhutan Royal Guard, then a car with one member of the royal family, then another car of the royal guards. This went on all day. The royal family had been attending a wedding and were traveling back to the capital, Thimpu, on this "main road". Each family member traveled alone with their entourage. Our guide Shring, could identify the royal person in the car by the license plate number. It was pretty cool!
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