Back to Paro

I will spare all you readers the details of our goodbyes... Suffice it to say that each of us Trekkers made some great new friends on this trip.  I think we will all remember the seemingly continual laughter we shared over our two weeks together.  It was truly special.

But I do want to describe one last experience that we had back in Paro.  A small group of us (dad not included this time) went to a traditional hot stone bath.  These baths have been used for centuries- a large tub is filled with river water, and in one end are placed large stones that have been heated to smoldering in a wood fire.  The baths are said to be good for one's health - and great for sore muscles after a long trek too!

It was definitely an experience... The place we visited was very rustic, almost like a barn with giant horse-troughs.  See for yourself:

The left side of each trough was where a person would sit... And as you can see the stones go in on the right. There are holes in between the two sections, so the heat transfers slowly from rocks to bath.

It was very cool... And extremely relaxing.  I would do it again anytime!