Monks take a break from their religious studies to play football in front of the Nyepheu Monastery, Shaba. Paro Valley
Punakha river.
Monks prepare for a performance backstage in Thimphu.
Discotheque in Punakha.
Archery match in Paro.
Paro Valley in Spring.
Crowds watch a cham dance performance during Paro Tsechu, Paro.
A guide practices archery in Bumthang.
Nature walk in Phobjika Valley.
Yatra, yak wool.
Pilgrims at Thimphu's Memorial Chorten.
Young people soak in a bath, believed to be holy water, near Punakha.
Taksang, Tiger's Nest.
Monks work out at the gym in the luxury hotel, Uma Paro by COMO.
View of Taksang Monastery from its base during winter.
Mini chortens, or replicas of temples, are placed in a cave believed to holy, near Thimphu.
Helicoptering over the Paro Valley with views of Paro dzong below.
Camping at 4,000 meters in Bumdra camp.
Bhutanese are required to wear the national dress when entering government offices and religious buildings, however there are no restrictions on footwear.
Dr. Saamdu Chettri in Thimphu, Bhutan on Sunday, December 30, 2012.
Religious pilgrims in Jakar temple, Bumthang.
Punakha Dzong, the administrative and monastic body of the region.
Taking a hot stone bath (dotsho).
Thousands of people gathered at Thimphu's National Stadium to celebrate the 5th King's 36th Birthday.
Phallic symbols and celebratory outfits at a festival in Thimphu.
Children play at an outdoor gym at Buddha Point in Thimphu.
Butter lamps are offered inside a home temple.
Dolma seller, Paro town. Dolma is an addictive mixture of betel nut and lime paste, enjoyed in a similiar fashion to western snuff. As explained to me by my local friends, Dolma acts as a warming agent, social lubricant, and gives you a buzz.
A horseman leads his mules to water after a trek.
Farmhouse lunch: A mother cuts ema mop (red chilis) into fourths and cleans the fresh spring onions from the garden to prepare Bhutan's traditional and staple dish, ema datse. It is believed that cooking on a traditional stove such as the one seen above makes for the tastiest meals.
The national dish: ema datse (chilis and cheese) and red rice.
Shakum datse (dried pork and chilis/cheese curry)
Monk and mask.
Mom Ugyen and her daughter, Choying share a moment during a religious ceremony at their home.
Commemorative dishes were sold during the Royal Wedding (5th King and Queen Jetsun) in 2011.
Paro Dzong grounds.
Stop into one of Thimphu's tea stalls and enjoy Indian/Nepali snacks like the locals.
Prayer flags are hoisted at the highest motorable road in Bhutan. Chelela.
Tattooing in Bhutan. It's illegal so artists travel to private homes and offices.
Monks dance a masked dance at Paro Tsechu.
Long life puja is performed at a 600-old Buddhist temple in Paro.
An angay, or a grandmother holds her religious mala beads as she walks through Paro town.
Chilies are laid out to dry in Paro's town center.
Open market in Thimphu.
The author in front of a dedication to the "Divine Madman"
