Tiger’s Nest Monastery

What is it? ................... The most famous of monasteries in Bhutan.
How to get there: ...... Take a flight to Paro which is the only city with an airport in Bhutan.
Nearest town: ............. Paro 10 km.

Taktshang, also called the Tiger’s Nest monastery is in the middle of the Bhutanese mountains, several hours outside of Paro (the only city with an airport). Taktshang is the most famous of monasteries in Bhutan. It hangs on a cliff at 3,120 metres (10,200 feet), some 700 meters (2,300 feet) above the bottom of Paro valley. A place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.
The name means "Tiger's nest", the legend being that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew there on the back of a tiger. The monastery includes seven temples which can all be visited. The monastery suffered several blazes and is a recent restoration. Climbing to the monastery is on foot or mule. It is interesting that a special permission is required for non-Bhutanese to visit the monastery.

Bracken Cave Bat Roost

What is it? ................. Home to the largest know bat colony in the world.

How to get there: ...... By road from San Antonio.

When to go: ................. May to September

Nearest Town: ............ San Antonio 32 km

Don't Miss: .................... The emergence of the colony at dusk.

You should know: ....... Bracken Cave is only open to BCI members, and only on certain nights at present. However, there will be a viewing platform and other viewing areas in due course.

Bracken Cave in central Texas is summer home to some 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). Located less than 20 miles from downtown San Antonio, the cave has come under increasing threat of urbanization.
The bats of Bracken Cave comprise the largest known bat maternity colony in the world, producing millions of young each year. In March and April, expectant females return to Bracken after overwintering in Mexico. Most males roost elsewhere in smaller groups. In the latter part of June, females give birth to a single pup, nearly doubling the cave's population.