Bhutan is one of the most obscure and unknown countries in the world today and that’s exactly how they like it. Through centuries of history the Bhutanese have leveraged their remote mountain location and lack of strategic or economic value to remain proudly independent. They have excelled at maintaining their isolation from the rest of the bustling world and being as self-reliant as possible, sometimes it seems to their detriment.
Continue reading →Some of Bhutan’s history is not clearly documented due to the remoteness of the country, the lack of historical records and the rather obscure relationship between Bhutanese buddhism and mythology. Nowhere is that more clear than at Taktshang Goemba, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on a cliff face in the upper Paro Valley. Its a tough two hour hike straight up the mountain to get there and we raced … Continue reading →
We woke from our floor mattress bedding to the early morning sounds of chickens and cows in our remote farmstay in central Bhutan. It was foggy and drizzly outside, no wonder from this mountain perch of the Himalaya foothills, but we consumed a functional breakfast that looked remarkably like last night’s dinner warmed up and headed back down the white-knuckle switchback track to the valley below. Travelling on normal roads … Continue reading →
Early morning in the Bumthang Valley meant an attempted run at 2,600 metres (big mistake) and an amazing breakfast from local produce. We had buckwheat pancakes with locally made wild strawberry jam and buckwheat honey, eggs from backyard chickens, beautiful cheese made in the local village and a slab of local butter bigger than an iPhone. As on previous days, we started the day with full stomachs and great anticipation.
Continue reading →Waking up in Trongsa was very similar to going to sleep – magnificent views of Trongsa Dzong from the balcony, sweeping panoramas of the deep valley below and no electricity in the hotel. Our visit to the 16th century dzong was absolutely stunning, perched high on the cliff, comprising many courtyards and buildings within its massive stone walls, the former seat of government for kings in the early 20th century … Continue reading →
Bhutan is known for two main features – its magnificent mountains as part of being totally consumed by the Himalayas and its fervent belief in Buddhism. We had the opportunity to combine both of these features in a spectacular morning trek to the Tango Goemba a bit north of the capital of Thimphu and we were rewarded with one of the best experiences in ages. And by donating to the … Continue reading →
The plane quickly descended through steep snow-capped mountains on each side, the ride getting a bit bumpy as we got closer. It then took a few pirouetting turns as it banked left and then right between mountains and followed the winding river course. At the last second it dipped its left wing one more time to line up to the runway and then with a big thump hit the target. … Continue reading →
