Given the Last Week of My Life, I Would Spend It in Bhutan

There's a saying that when one travels, he finds the ego for he takes off the mask, puts aside secular trivia and slows down steps. What is ubiquitous in Bhutan are exactly the three keywords that can indicate serenity, purity, and fidelity. In this case, I made my way through Bhutan while, in the meantime, I rediscovered my long-lost ego.

As soon as I embarked on Druk Airline, I had the gut feeling that it would be definitely an unusual trip - we saw the Himalayas from the plane! I had no clue why it looked so different from the impression I received from the land or pictures.

A Glimpse of the Himalayas from the Plane

After disembarkation, we saw the tour guide, Norbu, who was on traditional Bhutanese apparel, expecting us with a welcome board, which had our names on it, and then took care of our luggage. Though having been working in the tourism industry for up to 10 years, I had never gotten in such a new neat tourist van, which was spacious and cozy as you could imagine. Along with our excitement and breeze shooting, the van drove us from Paro Airport to Thimphu, the trip to which, however, was abundant in curves, in other words, we began feeling carsick. That was when we sheepishly asked Norbu, "How many turnings occur in this short trip?" He answered in a sedate manner, "Well, only two - the left turning and the right turning." We were amused by his wit, which somewhat alleviated our discomfort.

There are no high-rises in Bhutan, only pastoral scenery, white clouds, and high peaks. This is the real "Shangri-La", the happiest, purest land on earth.

A Glimpse of Bhutan

Thimphu is the only capital that has no airport and even traffic lights, and Thimphu Dzong tops the most worth visiting venue in Thimphu.

Dzong actually means administrative office. Not until the government crew knocks off work or when it is the weekend can tourists go in for a glimpse. It was 5:30 p.m. when we arrived at Thimphu Dzong, which was just open to tourists in time.

The Courtyard Inside the Thimphu Dzong, Bhutan

Though it is a government place, Dzong also houses lamas, from which one can observe the highness of religions.

Can you imagine yourself printed on a country's stamps? Plus, the stamp is capable of traveling the world! Well in Bhutan, especially in the original Bhutanese National Post Office, nothing can be impossible!

Featured on Bhutan's Stamps at the National Post Office

The beauty of Bhutan lies in its omnipresent scenery. On the way to Punakha, the Dochula Pass jumped into our eyes. It was voted the No.1 of Thimphu by Trip Advisor travelers. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, it is true when good weather happens. What we needed at that moment was a bit more luck.

I reckon Bhutan is the most beautiful in the world while Punakha is amongst the most beautiful. It is not so much as a village while once being glorious as the capital of Bhutan. Today's Punakha Dzong, likewise, serves as the winter palace of Bishop Lama.

River, the indispensable element makes any scenery have a soul of its own. That's why we see the Punakha Dzong, which is rendered by the mother river and the father river, dwarfs any other counterparts.

Phunakha Dzong, Bhutan

Bhutan people left on me with an impression of timidity and simplicity, which are more amplified in Punakha. When I got the camera ready, this little bashful Lama beside my colleague Zoe, straightened his body and looked into the lens with the same smile and in a set position regardless of how many shots I took. "Gadin qie la, "I expressed my appreciation, and vice versa, he showed thanks in a soft voice.

Odynovo Travel Consultant Zoe with a Monk in Punakha Dzong

Next to the Punakha Dzong, there is an unknown bridge, over which one needs some guts. Surprisingly, when you take the first step on the bridge, you will fall in love with it. Let me picture this for you: mischievous Lamas, who just finished their class, rushed on the swing bridge, leaving the prayer flags swirling with the wind; the trace of moisture floated in the air. Everything seemed so surreal.

Happy Lamas on the Bridge

To be honest I preferred the pastoral view more in the vicinity of the famous Paro Dzong and Rinpung Dzong, which had made their names resounding. It might have been the fact that Punakha Dzong has ranked at the top of my "Dzong list" LOL.

Views are Seen from Paro Dzong

Tiger's Nest Temple, the symbol of Paro, is also the highlight of our Bhutan trip. The bad news is I am not really into religious stories. Despite the sacred place of the religious architecture in the Bhutanese heart, I was more willing to regard it as a masterpiece of humans that challenges natural obstacles.

Tiger Nest Seems Within Touching Distance

The five-day Bhutan trip was so short that I had to split the whole itinerary into minutes of memory. For more than one week I have been back from Bhutan yet my heart is still lingering there. When I see stars twinkling in the sky, I can't help thinking of the starry night, the eve of our departure from Paro, and then can't help craving for the next Bhutan trip.