Bhutan-The land of Thunder Dragon 4th-10th Feb 2018


Day 0 (Bang to Kolkata,4th Feb) :

Flying to the land of Happiness was not as easy as we thought. Druk Air did a great service but since there were no direct flights from Bangalore to Paro, we had to take a d-tour via Kolkata. The overnight halt in Kolkata airport was the most toughest part for almost 5 hrs (From 1.30 AM to 6 AM). There was an option to rest in dormitory but paying 700/- each for 4 hrs was not recommended mentally. So, we decided to roam around and met a fellow traveller who was from Italy. Must say, he was a true Indian lover staying in Gokarna and working as a teacher, he knew so much about Indian traditions and was still keen to learn more ! Thanks to him since we managed to get along quite well with the time. Our next flight to Paro was at 8.30 AM. Pizza and burger was really not sufficient but Druk Air favoured us with it’s Breakfast box. During the journey ,we managed to also have a peek into Mt.Kanchenjunga as per the pilot’s instructions.

Day 1 :

Our guide Mr.Akash took us to White Tara Hotel in Thimphu which was a ride for almost an hour . On the way we stopped to have a look at the Chhuzom (Chhu means river and zom means join) is the place where Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet
 
Chuzzom point


Peace was all we could feel.The feel of Bhutan entered or senses.It was a drowsy journey since we lost sleep the previous day.Heading towards  Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley, we had our lunch at a small hotel near the clock tower and also tried noodles with chana ! 

Buddha Point

Buddha Point

Buddha Point
 
Thimphu Valley

Buddha point was interesting with freezing cold weather . Later Akash took us to  Thimphu market which looked like similar kind of huts all placed in a row with handloom and handicrafts.Shopping was not in our mind the first day.
 
Shopping Place


I was too tired to even think about the dinner and was also not aware what Bharath ordered ! Such was my sleepy gesture that night !

Day 2 :The Thimphu day .

That was a fresh day to visit National Memorial Chorten- This stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan .
National Memorial Chorten



Taking a round around the memorial, it was time to check out Chang Gangkha Monastery, the oldest temple in the valley which was just 20 min from there. Bhutanese usually get their kids for blessings.
 
Chang Gangkha Monastery


Chang Gangkha Monastery

Chang Gangkha Monastery


It was almost 12 PM when we reached  Takin Zoo, Preserve center of Takin – The National Animal of Bhutan. 
 
Takin Zoo


Takin Zoo


From there we rode towards  Changlimthang Stadium and watched youngsters play football  & also had a look at the national game of Bhutan , Archery.We enjoyed sportsman targeting with arrows.Later , it was time to move to  The Jungshi handmade paper factory that uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho.It was fun to watch the process of paper making.

 Shopping there wasn’t cheap though ! It was almost 1 PM and surprisingly we weren’t hungry . Institute for Zorig Chusum Commonly known as 13 Arts & Crafts School or Painting School was closed ! So our driver took us to a place where Bhutanese local art and traditions are depicted and described. It was fun to dance with the locals and was great experience to learn Bhutanese culture. 






On the way back , we had a look at Tashichhoedzong which  is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu in Bhutan, on the western bank of the Wang Chu. It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country. 

 
Tashichhoedzong behind us



Lunch was in a hotel near the clock tower with some shopping as well which ended our day in Thimphu.

Day 3 :Thimphu -Paro

Road from Thimphu to Paro is about 2 hrs. On the way we saw Tamchog Lhakhang and Iron Chain  bridge which was fascinating on the banks of river Paro. 






 Ta Dzong or the National Museum was amazing showcasing all the ancient and modern traditions of local Bhutanese religion. It also had a small rooms with pictures and information about animals and bird found in the country. Huge mask collection was hung all over the museum which was pleasing to look at. 
 
National Museum


National Museum

National Museum

It was about 10 AM when we headed to Rinpung or Paro Dzong. What an architecture ! There was a lady who described about all the paintings and answered our queries about the Dzong(monastery).The view from the Dzong surrounding was breath taking. On the way to our hotel , we stopped by the banks of the Paro river and also had a great view of the airport from the hill top. 
 
Rinpung or Paro Dzong


Rinpung or Paro Dzong

Rinpung or Paro Dzong

Rinpung or Paro Dzong

Rinpung or Paro Dzong



Evening we headed towards Drukgyel Dzong which was in the process of renovation but the freezing cold weather on the top was unexpected.







Day 4 : Paro

We were informed to start for Tiger’s nest hike early in the morning as heat would turn up later.Soon after breakfast , we left by 7.30 AM and reached the base of the Tiger’s nest .It is one of the Butan’s most religious sacred sites.  the bejeweled crown of Bhutan. This splendid monastery is the landmark of this Himalayan kingdom. 

 
Tiger's Nest Base


Tiger's Nest Base

Mid point

The very famous Photo point


One visualizes the sensuous soft-cotton-wool mist that envelopes everything in this environment. Visibility is near zero but still that does not deter one's enthusiasm and one strives hard to get a sneak peek of the Tiger Nest Monastery in Bhutan. The Tiger Nest monastery in Bhutan is counted as one of the fascinating sights in the world. This is the first thing which comes to the cognizance of any mortal while talking about famous monasteries. Why? It is all coz of its splendid visual appeal. An interesting story goes around regarding the name of this monastery. It is said guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava flew onto this cliff riding a tigress and meditated in the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave for time immemorial. Thereafter, he anointed this place to be the sacred of all and hence came up this Tiger Nest Monastery.

 
Just before reaching the destination


On the way behind us

Temple base

 It wasn’t as tough as we thought.We reached the top in almost 2 hrs time and were mesmerised by the construction of the temple in between the rocky hill.The view was superb with cool breeze all over.Our driver was surprised by the speed we took to climb all the way and reach back to the base.It was 1.30 PM when we finished shopping in the base area and moved to our room.Evening we took a stroll in Paro market to buy some souvenirs.The dinner was Ema Datshi (Chili-Cheese), the national dish of Bhutan which we enjoyed with Red Rice !

Ema Datshi



Day 5:Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing is Indo Bhutan border city which takes 5 hrs from Paro covering a distance of 170 km.On the way we stopped to see Kharbandi Gonepa, a buddhist temple.We reached Phuentsholing at 3 PM and stayed in a hotel over night since we chose road way to reach India back.

 
Kharbandi Gonepa

Next day morning our driver had arranged a vehicle from the border to Bagdogra which took 5 hrs .From there it was a 3 hr flight journey to Bangalore with hell lot of memories for a life time.

Some interesting facts about Bhutan that I came across:
1.There is no traffic signals in the entire country and it looks so cool to see Traffic police all across.
2.People who walk by the Zebra crossing are given more preference that the vehicles do stop for them .
3. Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco and plastic is banned.
4.  Anyone found guilty of killing a highly endangered and culturally sacred black-necked crane could be sentenced to life in prison.
5. Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV—and on the Internet—only 11 years ago.
6. The word “Bhutan” translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” It earned the nickname because of the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas.
7. Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. Among its requirements: At least 60 percent of the nation must remain under forest cover at all times.

8. At 24,840 feet, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan—and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

9. Bhutan is the world’s only carbon sink, that is; it absorbs more CO2 than it gives out.

10. It sells hydro-electrical power, making it the only country whose largest export is renewable energy.

11. Rather than using the GDP as an economic index, Bhutan measures its overall “health” through the four pillars: sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance, which together form the Gross National Happiness or GNH.

12. Plastic bags have been banned in Bhutan since 1999.

National Animal-Takin

National Bird-Raven

National dish-Ema datshi (Ema-Chili,Datshi-Cheese)

National Sport-Archery

Language-Dzongkha

Currency-Ngultrum