First impressions of our new home in Wangduephodrang District- a brief Photo Essay!

Just 3 hours from Thimphu is the Chuzomsa township where the turnoff onto the farm road to Samtengang leads us to our new home.

9 kilometres winding and bumping up and we are there.

Our traditional design but modern home is just a stone’s throw from the Primary School where Ian will work.

We arrived to a brand new, empty but for a few simple pieces of furniture and magnificent beyond our expectations, 2 bedroomed apartment on the second floor.

There is a lot of wood in these traditional designs.

Perhaps the most daunting aspect of the house is the near vertical ladder style stairs leading to the front door.

The bigger of our purchases had to be unconventionally transported to the upper level due to the steep ascent and narrow openings.

But once indoors the blessing was that with no concept of what furniture would be included in the rent, our mattress miraculously fit the bed frame exactly.

Another joy for us was the promised geyser (hot water system) had already been thoughtfully installed before our arrival. The bathroom may be basic but with hot water we are set for a comfortable residency.

The views from the windows highlight our rural, mountainous location and as the principal joked the squeaking front door will alert Ian’s students to his imminent arrival.

My school is just a short 15 minute lakeside stroll away with the option of a slightly longer walk along the road also a possibility.

When we first visited the premises rituals were taking place and the MPH (muti-purpose hall) was decked out in its finery and all the villagers devotedly participating and the kitchen feeding the masses. 

In the 3 days we have been in residence we have begun to make the place feel like home.

Hopefully the photos will give you a glimpse of our new lives.

We are currently in Bajo and making use of the Internet connection there, to get this out as service at home seems erratic and very slow