The drive to Dochula Pass at this time of the year has become an annual ritual for many Thimphu residents. As one arrives at the pass the air is heady with the scent of Daphne, a small shrub with fragrant white flowers, covering the the slopes where a myriad of colorful prayer flags stand. The Daphne bark is used to make traditional Bhutanese paper, which has the rare characteristic of being termite proof and thus highly valued for writing religious scriptures. A little further on, vivid bursts of scarlet amidst the dense forest signal the first rhododendrons. Then, etched against the brilliant blue winter sky are the magnificent white blossoms of the Magnolia Campbelli adorning the tall, leafless trees. The magnolias and the rhodies will continue to flower for the next two months. The scarlet rhodies being succeeded by other varieties: deep and pale pink, lavender, white, yellow, and orange. Some 54 varieties of this magnificent species are found in Bhutan.

[back to index.htm][more]