Bhutan

Bhutan was an unsoiled land in 2001. No cable television, and very little western influence. That seems to be changing, however, from what I hear it’s still a great place. I was in Bhutan for 2 weeks… great place. Go during October or festival season for some great experiences.

Bhutan, also known as Druk Yul, is the smallest kingdom in the world located on the Roof of the World. Who wouldn’t want to go to a place that sounds this cool? In fact, this mountain kingdom is known by several names. It is also known as “The Last Place on the Roof of the World,” “The Last Shangri-La,” “The Living Edens,” “Southern Valleys of Medicinal Herbs,” and “The Land of the Thunder Dragon.” I want to go just to say I’ve been to the coolest sounding place I’ve ever heard of! Obviously, there are many other fabulous reasons for wanting to visit this beautiful area located between the borders of China, India and Tibet. Bhutan has remained virtually untouched and unspoiled over hundreds of years. It boasts snow-capped mountains and deep hidden valleys for the die hard trekker. Plus, countless natural streams and an abundance of flora and fauna. The people who live there have remained hidden for hundreds of years, and live the simplest of lives. I would love to learn more about their history and culture. There are dozens of different treks to go on. I would like to go on a Medicinal Plant Trek, an Orchid Trek or a Bird Watching trek. I’d be just as happy with a Yeti Trek or an Eco-trek too. The architecture throughout Bhutan is supposed to be awe-inspring. Dzongs are huge fortress-monasteries located on hilltops and mountain cliffs. Gotta see that for myself! There are dozens of festivals featuring traditional artwork, music, song, dance and story telling as well and I believe that I could be kept well occupied for weeks in this remotest of lands.

Photo: www.trekearth.com
Jean Marie Hullot

I wasn’t even really aware of this country until seeing the amazing film from there, Monks and Magicians. A truly beautiful and very engaging film that makes me want to go to that country. It reminded me a lot of Nepal.

Because it’s the shangrila!

My best friend is one of the princess here, but she no longer lives in bhutan after marrying an italian man. So i have to find another way to get an invitation in order not to pay 200 USD per day.

I am thinking land bound from Darjeeling.

The movie ‘travellers and magicians’ and the travel/fishing show (not normally my thing but i loved this one ‘a river somewhere’. Just sounds like the most magical place on earth (and not because pot grows wild there, I’ve never even touched the stuff).

I am writing my masters thesis in human and environmental security on Bhutan. As part of their Gross National Happiness development strategy, the country is committed to achieving sustained economic growth while conserving the environment and culture. In 2005 the United Nations Environmental Program recognized King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan for their “commitment to placing the environment at the centre of thier constitution and all of their development plans” by awarding them as one of the seven “Champions of the Earth.”

“To this day there is not a traffic light in the Himalayan kingdom, by law everyone must wear traditional 14th century clothing and the number of tourists allowed into the country over the past 10 years is lower than the number of fans who pile into a college football game. Television and the Internet have, it is true, arrived with the 21st century, and a few superluxe hotels are now coming up around Bhutan, but what hits you when you touch down in its only airport is the silence.”
Iyer writes often on Asia

TIME MAGAZINE MAY 2006

Its a must visit country for all …. superb view … i can harly describe … great trek routes

I saw a picture of their King (before he married the 4 sisters) and I must have fallen in love with him. I dreamt of living in the country and bumping into him and making him fall in love with me. But now he must not be that young any more and in any case I’m happily married.

I have a HUGE story about this place. It’s more if I know you I’ll tell you story, but it’s about the most interesting story from my travels.