Bangkok to Paro

Last Saturday we arrived to Paro, Bhutan, on the 5:50 am flight from Bangkok. We had a long layover in hot and humid Bangkok-just enough time to get some sleep and some pool time for the kids. We had high expectations of getting thai massages and eating at one of the hotel restaurants but after "resting" for a quick afternoon nap, we ended up waking at 1:00 am and ordering room service breakfast. We checked out at 3:00 am to head to the Druk Air counter where we checked in our 9 bags to Paro. Our small plane to Paro was comfortable and full of Bhutanese heading home with various electronics purchased in Bangkok. We read the Bhutanese newspapers and the Druk Air magazine which has Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche on the cover. We arrived early to Paro (about 2 and half hour flight) and exited the plane by stairs onto a large area that leads to the airport building that much resembles a Dzong or monastery. The immigration studied our visa and gave us a 14 day visa until we get the extensions in Thimphu-at a cost of $20 US each. But then we had to wait for a receipt. The officer instructed us to get our luggage and come back to the counter as someone would have to go to the offices to get another receipt book-they had run out. I asked if I could go outside to see if our ride was waiting. I actually had no idea who was picking us up. I was unable to get internet at Bangkok and not sure if my contact had in fact arranged for a driver. I was sure that she had-but still some doubt existed. No one was waiting for us. I returned to the kids and our 14 bags. After some time, the receipt book arrived and we each got our receipts. Emma and Henry had to go through the lines on their own. This was true in Taipei and Bangkok too-I guess that's high security. We took our carts our to the parking lot and luckily a driver, by the name of Gobin, had a piece of paper with " Madame Ashley Toney" on it. Henry helped load the bags into the Land Cruiser and we were on our way to the Hotel Olathang. The Paro valley is surrounded by high Himalayan hills covered in trees and sporadic Bhutanese houses. A few clouds decorated the hills but mostly blue sky greeted us into the valley. Later, Emma said that her eyes welled up with tears at the beauty. The valley is full of rice growing in bogs and the large three leveled houses-all painted white with ornately decorated trim representing buddhist symbols. We arrived at the hotel, the original hotel built in 1974 for the coronation of the third King. Our "cabin" is off to itself with one large sitting area and two separate rooms- each with a large bath. We decided to go to Taktsang that day. Gobin would drive us at 10:00 am-despite our three days of traveling. Next blog-the hike up to Taktsang.