Trek to the Tiger's Nest.

For someone confined to sedentary deskwork for eight hours a day, the idea of climbing more than 10000ft seemed daunting though not impossible! The Taktsang Monastery or the The Tiger's Nest was the first thing on my mind the day I made plans to visit Bhutan.On my fifth day in this picturesque mountain country at the very beginning of the trek I heard different opinions from different people,even the locals,but decided to see if for myself.Our driver seemed to have enough confidence and said I could make it and be back in 5 hours flat! He was right! At the onset as usual i say a little prayer. And then began the climb through the beautiful mud track in the forest dotted with pine trees and fiery rhododendrons setting the whole scenario on fire in the misty morning! Prayer flags provide easy directions as do the litter of mules which some people hire to climb up.The start is not so tough,bit tiring as one climbs up and up but its so scenic that one forgets one's fatigue as the view gets more and more panoramic with every feet you climb. Mountains,valleys,scores of unknown species of trees,flowers,the mist appearing and disappearing,and the black rugged cliff where my destination would end. Met people from many nationalities on the way,some on mule back and a few young ones trekking up like me.Once when I reached a point from where the monastery was visible fully I knew I just had to hurry up. But its exactly from there that the path gets tricky-narrow stone steps-slippery rock face-a quaint old foot bridge-and the gurgling sound of a waterfall falling nearly 200ft giving company to the only other sound-that of an unknown bird chirping.By the time I reached the foot of the monastery where the guard listening to Hindi movie songs keeps your cameras and luggage, I was drenched in sweat but my eyes and heart were yearning to sap up the beauty around me.All I could say was a little prayer of thanks to the Almighty for creating so much beauty for us and enabling me to see some part of it.The final entry to the monastery and even inside means negotiating flights of steps carved out of solid rock. Little llamas do so with enviable agility. I huffed and puffed.But again one look from the portico at the open Paro valley in front gives u the energy to climb the next flight of steps.The temples inside have to be seen to be believed how at this height one could build this! Inside one of them an old priest called me in and tied a sacred string round my wrist for long life.On his lap was a furry cat sleeping peacefully.The climb down was faster but much more taxing on the knees as it was a continuous downhill jog for me.Most climbers had plucked rhododendrons but I didnt want to pull out a flower. Suddenly on a hedge I saw a bright red one sitting as if placed there just for me.I carried it back with me-it will wilt but my memory of trekking to Taktsang never will fade as long as I live.