Cats in Riga

I always try to take pictures of cats when I’m travelling.  I just like them and like capturing their expressions.

Something from the past:-

Cats in Amsterdam

In Budapest

In Fes, Marrakech, and Essaouira

In different cities and villages of Bhutan

Sadly during my entire Baltic trip, while I saw a couple of cats in passing (including once from the bus near the border of Lithuania and Latvia, I think on the Latvian side), I was unable to get them on my camera.  I don’t know where they exist in the Baltics.  All domesticated and no stray cats??

Here is something else though from Riga: the famous black cat (well, two of them).

Cat House/Kaķu māja

And there is a counterpart dog that our guide told us was observing the cats…

The Beautiful Royal Couple

I loved it that the Bhutanese newly-wed king and queen chose Japan as the place of their first official visit abroad together making it somewhat of their honeymoon.

The last time I was in Bhutan, he was still unwed which is not surprising at 31 and there was so much talk going on about who he might marry.

At far right is the current king of Bhutan; King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

And he's very much everywhere as his father the former king was. This is @ the central post office in Thimphu.

The charming couple spent six days in Japan and went back earlier today.  It was so unfortunate that neither Emperor Akihito nor Princess Masako could attend any of the official ceremonies to greet them.

In any event, what I found most fascinating was how beautiful Queen Jetsun Pema’s kiras had been.  There doesn’t seem to be one collective source showing what she was wearing but here is some of it

Queen’s kria 1

Queen’s kira 2

Queen’s kira 3

This certainly isn’t everything and I saw her wearing more beautiful kiras.

My mother has a collection of beautiful silk kiras but here is what I have. ^^

My kira (which I’ve yet to wear.  I have worn others.)

Wrapping Up 2010

January – Paris and Cannes, France

February – Madrid and Barcelona, Spain

March – Hugh comes to town.

April – major role change at work.  First ever domestic business trip to Osaka.

May – Bhutan

June – too many dinner appointments

July – Morocco – Medina of Fes and the archeological site of Volubilis – both world heritage sites

August – Marrakech and Essaouira, Morocco

September – started this blog.

https://ayakomathies.wordpress.com/

October – birthday month

November – annual Beaujolais nouveau ritual with pals.

December – won a diamond!  Christmas with pals.

Thank you for another great year and wishing all peace and happiness in the coming year.

Bhutanese Markets

One of my favorite activities when going on a trip is visiting local markets.

In Thimphu

At the checkpoint before crossing the Dochula Pass on the way to Punakha from Thimphu

The market square in Wangdue Phodrang

Small village store near Punakha

Market between Punakha and the Phobjikha Valley

Ditto

Much of the produce come from India but some of the vegetables and fruits were introduced to Bhutan by Mr. Nishioka.

http://www.redroom.com/articlestory/keiji-nishioka-a-bridge-between-two-nations

http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/462#kjn

Bhutanese Flora

Though what’s shown here may not be indigenous, Bhutan has a wide variety of plants growing in the country.  Here is some of the blooming kind.

http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/276

Our family friend, Mr. Nishioka, had a book (now out of print) on Bhutanese flowers:

http://amzn.to/idmq11

And I am wondering if this is cannabis which is widely used in decorating traditional Bhutanese paper (I have actually seen this) and feeding pigs (so I read).  The way the leaves branch out looks slightly different so maybe not.