Bhutan, Day 1
Trip Start
Aug 23, 1996
1
405
450
Trip End
Ongoing
Paro,
Bhutan
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Plan
I tried various companies to organise the tour through. Now trust me, it's not cheap. US$230 p/p plus a US$475 return flight from Kolkata !!! And because of this, we could only afford seven days. Luckily for us, we paid for this before the global meltdown, so it was cheaper than it could have been !!! And after a three month wait, we were on our way.
Now some say that Nepal is for backpackers, whilst Bhutan is for flashpackers !!! As I'm a tourist, I was wondering how Bhutan would take me?
Paro
The flight was great, the skies so clear. We could even see Everest. Coming into land, it was like Nepal but much cleaner !!! Once through customs, our man was awaiting us. He took us straight to the old watchtower which is now the National Museum. The items inside were ok, but I prefered the building. It was round and over six stories in height. The only downer was that there were no photos allowed in any building. Below was the Rinpung Dzong, which use to be an old fort/monastery. Now it's just used for monastic purposes. However, all over it were paintings which I had seen on the Annapurna circuit. When I questioned this, I was told that their Buddhism was Tantric Mahayana, similar to Tibet's, but different. It actually explained alot.
As we drove, there were stupas and prayer wheels everywhere. The place was so clean !!!
Next up was Kyichu Lhakhang, which is the oldest monastery in Bhutan. It was built in the seventh century but didn't look it. There were the usual Buddha wheel of life paintings, similar to a mandela, but they told more of a story. It is though really disappointing that I am unable to take shots on the inside to show you all. It's the only thing that has fucked me off so far !!!
The last site that we went to see was the Drugyal Dzong. It's a ruined hill fort commanding a great view over the valleys. Down below were terraced rice paddy fields, whilst above we could see Bhutan's highest mountain. As we were being shown this, the guide told me about trekking, and all I could think was,
I need to save again as it sounds awesome !!!
Back in Paro, we took a walk around after dinner. For a city with an international airport, it is so small. I love it !!!
And Finally.
I can't believe I'm here, it reminds me so much of Nepal, but smaller and no pollution and no drugs and no evil shit that it offers. Trust me, save your money and come, I've only been here less than a day and I'm sold !!!
