When I was researching Bhutan months ago, I read about visitors rafting along the Mo Chhu River. We didn't originally book it into our trip, but once we were in Bhutan, Jamyang asked if it would be something we'd be interested in doing one afternoon. We asked about how challenging the rapids would be and he told us they'd be very tame, as the water levels are low this time of year. We decided we'd give it a try!
After a hike & temple visit, we were ready to hit the water. We invited Jamyang and Tashi to join us in the raft. Jamyang passed, but Tashi joined for what was his first time out rafting on the water! Doug grew up going on legit white water rafting trips out in California, largely through Boy Scouts, so he was pumped. I went once while in Costa Rica in 2005. Suffice it to say, it was the girls' first time out rafting on the water and our first family rafting experience!
Out on the Water
The rapids were <1 level on the river that afternoon, so it was a fairly leisurely raft ride. Our guide gave us some instruction for paddling/commands, and we were off. Doug & I were up front on either side, Tashi & girls in the middle, and our two guides in back steering. The relatively calm water didn't damper the girls' glee . . . they absolutely LOVED every bump, rapid and splash! Even Tashi was loving it all. His squeals of delight matched those of the girls. The wetter we all got, the better it all was in their minds :)
Rafting Success
Definitely a joyful experience for all of us! Based on this experience I think the girls (and Tashi) will jump at the chance to try white water rafting again down the road. Who knows where that will be!
Hungry Hippos
Feet firmly back on the ground we quickly changed out of our drenched clothes & into warm ones. By this point it was pushing 2:30pm and we were all starving. A short drive later and we were at our lunch spot. Jamyang had arranged for a friend of his who works at a restaurant to have our lunch delivered to a park area that overlooks the river and the Punakha Dzong (fortress). How cool is that! We chowed on the delicious food, especially the eggplant & chicken dishes, and relished the beautiful, peaceful views.
Scouts Shout-Out
The little park where we ate lunch had all kinds of Scout signage up. Clearly the local Scouts organization uses this area for meet-ups. All of us got a kick out of it, given Doug was an Eagle Scout and the girls were involved in Girl Scouts (I co-led their troop levels) back in NYC. Come to think of it, we've also seen kids in their Scouts uniforms recently in India. It's fun to see a slice of our life in NYC, come alive in its own unique - and yet familiar - way in another country. Go Scouts!
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