Mythical Bhutan- Land Of Happiness

         

Hi, it is me again, Tisha. It has been many months since I last wrote in my blog. I was busy with my school work and exams. This December holiday I visited Chengdu, China, where the pandas live. I will write about  my Chengdu holiday next. For now, I would like to write about the countries that I have visited in my previous holidays which is Nepal and Bhutan. I spent ten days in Nepal and five days in Bhutan. I will talk about my Bhutan experience first. I hope my fellow readers will enjoy what I have written.

During my school holidays in December 2014, I visited a country which is very mythical, magical, mysterious and enchanting called Bhutan. I was excited when my mother told me that we were going to Bhutan because I had never heard of this place before. None of my friends knew about this country. They thought that Bhutan is in Nepal. Ha ha ha ha !!!!!  What a joke!!!! I did too at first.

Let me tell you about Bhutan . The tiny Kingdom of Bhutan is known as “The Last Shangrila” on earth because of its pristine and unspoiled environment and harmonious and cordial society. It is a small country which is located on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and India.

I find Bhutan to be a unique country because of its unique culture and clean environment. Do you know that Bhutan is the world’s last remaining Bhuddist Kingdom? It is also the only Vajrayana Bhuddist nation in the world which practises the teachings of Bhuddha.

His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the Fourth King of Bhutan has developed the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. His Majesty declared in the 1970s that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. His Majesty wants his people to live happily. WOW!!!!!! This is the only country in the world that has Gross National Happiness. I reckon that this is the best philosophy in the world and every leader in every country should follow this philosophy. Then we will have no war but peace and harmony. YEAH!!!!  Isn’t it amazing?

         

I went to the Kathmandu airport by the name of Tribhuvan International Airport. I took the Drukair plane to fly to Bhutan. 

We flew past the Himalayan range and I even saw Mt. Everest. 

         

After 1 hour, we reached Paro airport which is in Bhutan. When we came down from the aeroplane, we had.........FRESH AIR!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! 

We saw a big picture of the King and the Queen. What a beautiful royal couple!  

My mummy and I couldn't resist taking this beautiful photo of the royal couple.!

Our tour guide, Chekey and our driver, Kingka were wonderful Bhutanese. 

The drive out of the Paro International airport feasted our eyes with superb scenery. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!! The trees were green, the river was crystal blue, everything was clean. Do you know that Bhutan people do not slaughter animals, nor even kill mosquitoes? They are so kind to animals and insects.  

         

I am standing at the point where you can see the whole of Paro Airport.

On our first night, we stayed at Raven’s Nest which is a 4-star resort. The owner of the hotel, Gayley Yangzom, a nice lady was very hospitable to us. The chef, Yeshi had prepared delicious Bhutanese and Thai cuisine. It was delicious and also spicy.

  

         

On the second day, we hiked up to Taktshang Monestery (Tiger Nest). No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang Monastery which will take about to two hours to hike up for the fit ones. 

On the track to the monastery.

The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff which is about 900 metres above the Paro Valley. According to local legend, in the 8th century,` Guru Rinpoche mounted on a flaming tigress and flew to Paro Taktshang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo.

I rode on a horse because I was very tired and not feeling too well. However, my parents and their friends hiked up. 

We passed through beautiful pine forest, spruce tree forest, trees festooned with Spanish Moss and fluttering prayer flags.

We took about 9 hours to hike up a well-mantained trail in order to reachthe monastery.

The next place that we visited was Thimpu, a city at an altitude of 2,300 metres. It is also the capital of Bhutan. We drove up to the Kuensel P[hodrang (Bhuddha Point) which offered a panaromic view overlooking the Thimpu valley. 

There was a huge Bhuddha statue sitting majestically amidst the green hills.

Then, we travelled to Punakha, another city, for about 3 hours journey. On the way we stopped at Dochu La Pass at an altitude of 3,050 metres. 

Here, we visited the 108 chortens which were built by the eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, to honour and to commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed when fighting the Indian rebels in 2003.

 This very breathtaking Dochula Pass is a famous tourists destination because it offers a stunning 360 degree panaromic view of the Himalayan mountain range. I was very fortunate to be able to admire the snowcapped mountains amidst the clear blue sky. It was stunning and beautiful. I will never forget this moment of beauty.

 Another fantastic place to visit is the Punakha Dzong, which means a big temple between two rivers. It was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung and this astounding fortress which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (River) and Pho (Male) Chu.

 What a sight to behold!! It is simply magnificent and spectacular. Looking at the two crystal clean rivers joining and the waters flowing swiftly past the temple is a wonderful experience that I will always remember.

Also, we visited Thasichodzong in Thimpu, which means Fortress of Glorious Religion. It was built in 1641. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

We also visited the temple here where the present King and Queen were married.  This temple is beautiful and big.

Another interesting place that we visited is the Mini Zoo in Thimpu. The Mini Zoo is actually a big forest reserve. There are lots of tall pine trees.

 I was lucky to see Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin because they don’t usually come out to meet people. It is an extremely rare member of the goat family.

Our trip to Bhutan was too short for Bhutan has so many interesting places to visit. This has been  a worthwhile trip and Bhutan is truly and indeed a Heaven on Earth with its unspoilt and pristine nature and environment. I am glad that we have two wonderful guides, Uncle Chekey and Uncle Kingka who have made my trip a memorable one. 

I hope to visit Bhutan again in the near future. See you again Bhutan!!!