Bhutan: Spiritual Site

Gliding through the mountains, I reach a land known for its happy faces. Bhutan! The green mountains, the clear blue sky and winding roads make the drive to Thimphu valley, my first stop, amazingly picturesque. Situated at the centre of the valley, The Taj Thimphu provides easy access to the entire city. Just walking around the town centre gives me a complete feel of the place — the market situated right amidst mountains, the smiling faces; this is the place to be.

The next day, I decide to indulge in some local sightseeing and also visit the Tashichho Dzong which currently serves as the throne room and the office for the king. I decide to stop over for lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum that serves the most authentic Bhutanese food, which proves to be a mix of so many flavours. After this I come back to the city to just have a relaxing evening at the hotel where they had organised a cultural dance programme for us, to get more into the feel of the country.

The next ride is to Paro, a beautiful valley that is a mix of hundreds of myths and legends and home to some of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries. The ride, though long, is one of the most beautiful roads to be on. The scenery takes my breath away and I feel that I would like to be on the road forever in Bhutan.

My room at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Thimphu faces the mountains and the river — what more can I ask for. We trek to Taktsang, also known as ‘Tigers nest’ a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located in the cliff side of the upper Paro valley. The trek takes a good part of the day, but the view from the top makes it worth everything. The Monastery is perched on the side of the cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. The climb is amazingly beautiful, as is the walk we undertake through the forest.

After the walk down I visit the city of Paro, to do some shopping and to talk to a few locals. All the way through my trip I try to capture the happiness on the people’s faces, be it the monks, the children or passersby. Bhutan is definitly worth visiting just for the feel of happy vibrations, the enjoyment of natural scenery, adventure and culture, all at once.