Thursday, September 5, 2019 - Today was a big day a climb to the Paro Taktsang - or the Tiger's Nest. A 4-mile hike up 1,700 feet. The temple is at 10,232 feet.

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A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where in the 8th century Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours.
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The start of the hike was near these shrines that had water flowing through them.
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Near the top was a rock face - sort of cave - with all these little stupas set about.
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According to the legend related to this Taktsang, which literally means "Tigress lair", it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress.

It is an amazing sight hanging on the cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro valley.
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Virginia Ann and Cal resting after a long climb to the Tiger's Nest.

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The monastery buildings consist of four main temples and residential shelters designed by adapting to the granite ledges, the caves and the rocky terrain.
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A tired photographer - I carried several lenses and a tripod to the top.
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A beautiful waterfall cascades in a cleft which you cross after many stairs. Strangely, it has no name - or one not easy to find.
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It started out very cloudy and over time became partly cloudy.
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Taktshang Zangdo Pari is a convent high over the Tiger's Nest. The present caretaker of the place is said to be an old nun supported by a young trainee.
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It was a hard day hiking up and then coming down was even harder - the trails are steep and uneven. We took about 6 hours for the entire trip - and rested the rest of the day.


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