June 2024, Bhutan Vacation

Reflections on Bhutan: A Land of Tranquility and Tradition A Clean and Serene Kingdom      Bhutan's beauty extends beyond its breathtaking landscapes. During my eight-day exploration, I was struck by the remarkable cleanliness of the country. The roads were free of litter, creating a sense of respect for the environment. A Nation Steeped in Tradition   Bhutanese culture is vibrant and ever-present. Traditional dress is a way of life, worn by everyone from immigration officials and shopkeepers to students and market vendors.  It's a beautiful reminder of their rich heritage. Finding Tranquility in a Slower Pace   The pace of life in Bhutan is a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of major cities like Mumbai and Delhi.  It's an invitation to slow down, appreciate the scenery, and truly immerse yourself in the moment. Respecting the Culture   While not mandatory everywhere, dressing modestly is a sign of respect for Bhutanese customs, especiall...

A Flight Fiasco and a Hasty Return Unlike the others, I don't recall when they finished watching the T20 World Cup finals. My sleep was interrupted by a WhatsApp call at 3:20 AM. It was Priya, urgently requesting a meeting of all family members in their room. The news wasn't good. Our SpiceJet flight from Bagdogra to Mumbai had been canceled! Our travel agent needed our decision on alternate flights. Bagdogra Airport, located approximately 160-165 kilometers away with a driving time of at least 4 hours, presented two options: Akasa Air: This direct flight to Mumbai at 11 AM meant an immediate departure from Phuentsholing, but vehicle availability was uncertain. By the time we confirmed, the flight was full. Indigo: This 3 PM flight had a 2.5-hour layover in Chennai, with the connecting flight reaching Mumbai around 10 PM. Reaching Bagdogra on time was crucial, but the travel agent assured us a vehicle would be arranged. Given the uncertainty, we decided to rest until 7 AM, show...

A Change of Plans and a Scenic Drive After conquering Tiger's Nest and indulging in the rejuvenating hot stone bath, we thought the highlights of our Bhutan trip were behind us. Little did we know, a new twist awaited us. A leisurely 7 AM wake-up call was followed by our usual routine of tea, bath, and breakfast at the hotel. Birkha informed us of an unexpected change. Due to a medical emergency in the driver's family  – our regular vehicle and driver wouldn't be available. He assured us he'd arrange a replacement vehicle and driver for our journey back to Phuentsholing. While waiting for the replacement (which arrived around 10:30 AM), we used the extra time in various ways: some captured the beautiful surroundings through photographs, others caught up on sleep from the previous day's trek, and I continued reading my Agatha Christie novel.                 Finally, Birkha arrived with a slightly larger and more comfortable vehicle driven by a...

An Early Start for Tiger's Nest Today's agenda held a major challenge - scaling the rocky cliffs to reach Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. Knowing an early start would make the climb more manageable, we opted for a 4:45 AM wake-up call. After a quick shower and tea in the room, we fueled up with a packed breakfast provided by the hotel. Since the starting point was just a 10-minute drive away, we left by 5:30 AM and began our ascent by 5:50 AM. Halfway Point Decisions Geetha was unsure about completing the entire climb. We devised a plan – if needed, she could rest at the halfway mark, a cafe stop Birkha had mentioned. The rest of us would continue, picking her up on the descent. However, Birkha informed us that entry tickets were purchased at the foothills, and the counter wouldn't open until 7 AM. So, our driver would wait back, buy the tickets, and WhatsApp an image to Birkha who would guide us to the top. A Gradual Ascent with Stunning Views Our climb...

A Leisurely Start and Dochula Revisited Another leisurely morning began with a 7:30 AM wake-up call.  After a refreshing cup of tea, a bath, and a delicious breakfast with beautifully arranged fruit platters, we checked out of Hotel Damchen Riverside Resort. Today's journey involved crossing Dochula Pass again. Thankfully, the weather was clear this time, offering a panoramic view that compelled us to request a half-hour stop. We savored strong coffee at the cafe and captured more photos, including one of a high-end car with a unique license plate that Birkha identified as belonging to the Indian embassy. Geetha and Rohan also took this opportunity to visit the 60th Anniversary Garden.                       Rocky Mountains and Souvenir Shopping The drive continued, with Birkha pointing out a dry, rocky patch on the mountains where vegetation was scarce. We eventually crossed Paro International Airport. Following Birkha's recomm...

A Leisurely Morning and Dochula Pass Unlike the previous mornings, we enjoyed a slightly later wake-up at 7:15 AM on our departure day from Thimphu. Since we hadn't pre-ordered a Jain breakfast, the hotel staff took some extra time to prepare a delicious spread of poha and paneer paratha. With piping hot tea, it was a delightful start to the day. By 9:30 AM, we checked out and headed towards our first stop – Dochula Pass. Dochula's Enchanting Embrace The 40-minute drive to Dochula Pass was met with a light drizzle and a captivatingly foggy landscape. We toyed with the whimsical idea of unpacking and settling down here forever! We visited the 108 stupas, capturing several photos before warming up with hot coffee at the adjoining cafe. Malli craved a strong coffee, but the cafe's idea of "strong" involved a tea bag taking a dunk in the coffee brew.     Descending to Punakha Dzong With a touch of reluctance, we left Dochula and began our 2-hour descent towards Punakh...

Morning Walk and Breathtaking Buddha View Point An early morning routine continued in Thimphu. After a coffee in our room, Malli and I embarked on a brisk walk. We spotted a beautiful park, but unfortunately, it wasn't yet open. Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a refreshing bath and parathas for breakfast before boarding our trusty Toyota HiAce. Our first stop of the day was the Buddha View Point, a popular attraction featuring a majestic Sakya Muni Buddha statue atop the Kuensel Phodrang Hill. Inside the temple, we learned about the impressive collection of one lakh six-inch Buddha statues and twenty-five thousand eight-inch statues. The main attraction, the towering 51.5-meter bronze Buddha statue, offered a sense of peace with its open space perfect for meditation. The view from this vantage point was incredible, capturing the surrounding area in a breathtaking panorama.       Experiencing Bhutan in Miniature Our itinerary included a couple more temples, but Birkha, our g...