Our incredible journey through Bhutan was nearing it’s end as we descended rather quickly through more amazing mountains.

We had our last glimpses of the Himalayas… with the white snow capped peaks and my memories accumulated of so many wonderful parts of Bhutan. Children carried on backs with beautifully hand woven cloth.. and their chubby little fingers open with trust. Smiles and gracious hospitality. Spectacular scenery. Incredible mountains and mountain passes. Chillies. Chanting. Music. Dancing, ritual and ceremony…. so many wonderful things in Bhutan. Prayer flags with wishes for humanity blowing in the breeze and fading with time and the cycles of life.

Our descent was steep at times and by now Max has developed quite strong arms from all the turning around the hairpin bends. It is pretty arduous for him because the driving is actually quite physical and strenuous… and we both have to concentrate all the time because of the road conditions and traffic.

As was with most days there were often little ‘issues’ with various cars and we always stopped to give a hand. Max is always ready to get under the bonnet or car, and open the tool roll or box of parts. On the rally there have been brake lines broken; flat tyres; broken fan belts; broken alternators; timing issues; spark plug issues; overheating cars… all of which Max has been quick to stop and give assistance… as with others on the rally as well when we had a flat tyre one day. All of a sudden there are cars around with all hands on deck; everyone with different levels of expertise and what others have to offer. There was much laughter at unscheduled ‘pit stops’ ! Chocolate biscuits from Snjezana appeared often and were so appreciated. Yesterday our large 10 litre bottle of water was invaluable for two overheating cars as we crawled toward Guhawati.

Before then though our last night in Bhutan was magical. We were fortunate enough to camp on sacred ground where 6 monks spend in retreat. It was very special. I went for a short walk both in the evening and morning… and I quietly reflected on my journey through Bhutan.

Then our last descent to the plains of India where we once again had to be vigilant with out mosquito protection. I think I am going to miss the altitude where mozzies were not a concern.

The haze and heat and dust reminded me very quickly we were in India, yet the excitement that we had all arrived safely was visceral. Lunch was an excitable event with joyous laughter and repeated requests for glasses.. and our orders. We had to remember that we were back in India.. and we laughed.

Yesterday we breathed the clean mountain air for the last time in a while as the chaos of India was a bit confronting for me. It was hot. It was noisy. It was chaotic. I wished I was beamed back and teleported into the mountains of Bhutan… but our journey continues today after wonderful friendships made and incredibly privileged experieces; and now toward Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos… and so another journey begins.