ping's Photos

A faster way to get direct links to the different photo sizes. This script also makes it easier to get the "View Large" links into the photo description. As always, Firefox and Greasemonkey are needed. Get script here http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/22572. View Original (?)

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I spent a night at Punakha enroute to Phobjikha. Thankfully for this urbanite, it was a short 30-minute hike from the nearest feeder road to the house belonging to Kuenga's aunt. We were treated to a traditional Bhutanese stone bath outdoors. No pictures were taken of course (this photostream is rated G) but it was an interesting experience. Stones were heated over a fire until red hot, and then set into a rectangular wooden bath tub filled with water. Soaking in the steaming hot bath, underneath a clear night sky with the full moon overhead... Bliss.

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Even as I write, the snow is melting rapidly in the sun. It looks like the snow will disappear as quickly as it arrived.

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The first snowfall of the winter arrived in Thimphu today (23 Jan 2008). As with tradition, the day was declared a holiday and we all got off from work. In addition to covering much of Thimphu with a white blanket, the snow has brought out the monkey in the town's male population. The boys (young and fully-grown specimens) are in full force on the streets, pelting passerbys (usually girls) with snowballs. 2008 Challenge - Week #4

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PunatSangChu Cottages

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Being a landlocked country, few Bhutanese can swim and the few that do, learn through trial and error. Parents are naturally wary of their children playing near rivers and rightly so; I was told that in Lobesa, on average, a child is swept away in the river every year. Young Bhutanese children are often told the tale of a fearsome octopus that will snatch and eat you when you're in the water. It was even said that should your shadow fall on the water, the octopus will be able to enchant you, causing you to faint and fall into the treacherous river waters. I was in Lobesa again recently to enjoy a night's stay at the new hotel belonging to Kuenga's cousin. Naturally, all of the family was invited, and we had a lovely time. The kids were particularly delighted when they were given the rare opportunity to play by the river, with adult supervision of course. The river is shallow this time of the year and the sandy river banks were exposed. It was a sunny morning, so despite the cold waters, the kids had a roaring good time playing in the sand and water.

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I weaseled an invitation for Thup (porridge) during Sharshop Losar (which celebrates the first day of the last month of the year... don't ask) from Passang, a spunky young lady I got to know here in Thimphu. The rice porridge is cooked on the previous night. Ginger and garlic are pounded to a paste and then fried with pork and chilli powder. This is then added to the rice porridge which has been hand blended to a fine soup like consistency. It was very good and I had four heaping bowls of the porridge. Slurp.

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Updated the Infowidget with a couple of trimmings. As always, Firefox and Greasemonkey are needed. Get script here http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/22572. Demo.

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Links your Zooomr photo to your Flickr one and allows you to synchronise Title/Description/Tags into Zooomr. As always, Firefox and Greasemonkey are needed. Get script here http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/22572. Demo.

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