Revisiting Bhutan

Revisiting Bhutan again in a less than 1 year since my last trip has to be the craziest thing that I have ever done since I started travelling. Ever since I returned from my first visit, I felt that I left my heart in Bhutan. Life has not been the same with my heart in a far far away land. So finally I am back in Bhutan again after only a gap of 11 months.

The “magical” feeling I felt in my first visit was missing as I step out of our Bhutan Airlines flight this time. But the fresh air and the green mountains is still a welcoming sight. The blue sky which I saw in October last year was also missing.

Paro international airport, Bhutan

I was in Bhutan during their Blessed Rainy Day festival.  There were plenty of clouds in the sky and we were caught in a bit of rain. Nevertheless, with the rain came the beautiful rain.

Rainbow at Wangdicholing Resort, Bumthang

In this trip, we went as far as Bumthang in Central Bhutan. The journey to Bumthang was long and challenging. Road widening works was in progress and the rain brought down a lot of soil and rocks from the mountains. We spent 2 full days travelling to and fro from Bumthang. In Bumthang, we visited a few monastery including the famous Kurjey Lakhang where Padmasambhava was said to have subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock.

Kurjey Lakhang, Bumthang Bhutan

Due to the long journey, we only had a short picture stop in Phobjikha Valley.

Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha Bhutan

We had several opportunities to meet the locals young and old alike throughout this trip. The older ones were curious looking at our cameras and my selfie stick and couldn’t resist taking pictures with us too.

Getting to know the friendly Bhutanese people

Bhutan is really a country with plenty of wild flowers. While we didn’t get to see any rhododendron, I can imagine how beautiful the hills will be when they are covered with rhododendrons of various colours in spring.

Wild flower blooming all over in Bhutan 

Amongst all the dzongs that I’ve visited in Bhutan, my favourite is still the Punakha Dzong. One day I would love to come back again to see the beautiful jacaranda blooming.

Punakha Dzong, Punakha Bhutan

It was also in Punakha that I met my previous guide Sonam Phuntsho again. It was such a coincidence that we were staying in the same hotel. Frankly, that hotel wasn’t our first choice of lodging but having our path cross there is what the Bhutanese call “fate”.

We went up to Tiger Nest on our last day in Bhutan. As we were approaching Tiger Nest, I finally found my Bhutan “magic” again.  The sight of Tiger Nest perched on the edge of the cliff is still so mesmerizing and magical to me! I spent some time admiring Tiger Nest while listening to some Bhutanese songs. It was indeed a wonderful and magical feeling!

Takshang Monastery or Tiger Nest, Paro Bhutan

I got to see a different side of Bhutan in this 2^nd trip. Instead of being purely a tourist, I had many opportunities to interact with the local people (with the help of my guide, of course!). We went for walks and bought fresh fruit such as apples and persimmons from the local roadside vendors. We even plucked apples from a local farm J.  As September is the month of festivals in Bhutan, we also had the opportunity to attend the Wangdue Tshechu. The friendly locals were out with their colourful kira and gho and it was indeed a beautiful sight watching and taking pictures with them.

Wangdue Tshechu, Wangdue Bhutan

I came back to Bhutan to bring my heart home and I am glad that my heart is home with me now. But I feel closer to Bhutan now than before.  I made friends with some Bhutanese in this trip and they are helping me understand Bhutan more. I also have a few Dzongkha songs to keep me entertained courtesy of our driver Choedra.

To my Bhutanese friends, we will meet again some day. Maybe in 2018 after the road widening works has been completed. Till we meet again.

Falling in Love with Bhutan

Before arriving in Bhutan, all I wanted to see in this mystical country was Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites. I was so mesmerised by the way this monastery is precariously perched on the edge of a cliff.

However, my perception of Bhutan changed completely the moment I step out of the plane at Paro international airport.  There was an unexplainable sense of peace and serenity in my heart. The sight of crystal clear water in Paro river and the greenery on the mountains as we were landing were simply breathtaking.

Paro International Airport, Bhutan

Paro, Bhutan

Paro International Airport, Bhutan

Paro Bhutan

We had a funfilled time visiting Paro, Haa Valley, Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang and Punakha.  Our visit to Tiger’s Nest/Taksang Monastery was on the last day of tour, saving the best for last I guess J

Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan

The journey up to Takshang Monastery was an arduous one. I am glad that our local tour guide insisted that we take the horse up for the first part of the journey. “It’s faster” he said. I couldn’t have made it up if I had hiked up on my own as the air was thin and hence I was easily out of breath!. 

Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery - horses resting

Steps leading to Tiger's Nest or Taktsang Monastery

Colourful prayer flags leading to Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery

Upon reaching the top, the view was simply awesome! I was so thrilled to reach the top.

Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery

Visiting Bhutan has changed my perspective and outlook on some things in life. The world that I live in runs at a much faster pace and is full of many unnecessary things like work stress, traffic jam and politics! I believe every country has its share of problems. But as a tourist, Bhutan seems such a magical country.  So magical that I was already thinking of ways to come back again even before our tour ended.  Though the pace of life in Bhutan may be a lot slower than what I am used to, I couldn’t help falling in love with the country and its people’s simple lives.

Bhutan - local villagers taking a break

Our local tour guide who speaks very good English made us feel very welcomed and was very willing to answer the many questions that this bunch of inquisitive city folks brought up in trying to understand the Bhutanese way of life. 

Through him and our driver, I witnessed a high level of humility hardly seen in many of the countries that I have visited thus far. Both of them will go all the way out to meet our many requests to the extend of helping out in the kitchen to get our food ready. And when food is brought to our table, it is always served with a bow. Is this the norm for Bhutanese or is this special for tourist only? I wouldn't know. But I will find out more when I come again.

    

Bhutan, I miss you and I will be back.