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Published: February 3rd 2014
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We are already in February, and this is only my first entry on travelblog.org for 2014. I told you, settling back in Bangkok means for us a life which is much more sedentary...and I have to play around the school schedule of Tiffany and Leslie. Nevertheless, this didn't stop me to do some little trips in January to Saigon and Shanghai, but no blogging about those here.
After a full month in Bangkok, I can tell you, life is good. We have well settled in a seriously nice flat. The kids are doing pretty well at school, and I even managed to sort out a pretty cool social life...so nothing to complain on that side.
2014 will see less travel...or will it? Well, I still have to work...yes it does happen...and Leslie and Tiffany are back at school. So 2014...I'll have a lot more time for a fun social life in Bangkok...but also, for some serious trips to Saigon, Shanghai, and obviously, spending a good two months of the year in Africa. Beside this...well, I have been working on my 2014 bookings the first two weeks of January. Entries may be less frequent here, but
some of them should just be short of amazing...due obviously to the location....2014...I can't wait for all those trips!
I've booked most of 2014...but this trip to Bhutan, was not even on the program four weeks ago. Yes, it seems I can do last minute too. Tiffany and Leslie have their own program for this week-end. So I'm on to tick one of my top ten on my wish list for the last few years. I'm on to Bhutan!
Few know about this country. Bhutan is the size of Switzerland, 600km from West to East, 200km from North to South, and 700,000 inhabitants. You may have believed that the country is lost in the Himalayas....well, not only, the south is only at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level...producing even oranges....while the North peaks do reach close to 7500 meters. The country is small, but stuck in between two giants, China to the North and India to the South. Bhutan has never been invaded...well, not the last few centuries...that while taking in consideration that their neighbor to the North, is actually Tibet...we all know what happened more than 60 years ago.
So Bhutan it is, for four days and three nights. There are some interesting points....most may not have heard about the country, but still, I count more than 6 countries in Africa on which I have blogs with way less blogs from travelbloggers than the one on Bhutan. You may not know about Bhutan, but you have already dreamed about coming here...or you will!
You may have first heard about Bhutan years ago when the authorities decided to create the Gross National Happiness Index, instead of the GDP commonly used by many economists. Interesting point, GNH is more than 15 years old....the first election only happened here back in 2008...go figure out...
Bhutan is also well-known to manage a certain kind of tourism. Currently, you are by law obliged to spend a minimum of 250usd per person per day in the country as a foreign visitor. And if you travel alone, it's even more as they added some more kind of taxes. This means...if you want to keep it basic in Bhutan...it's a serious rip-off....just to put it simply. I'll be back on it, but the only way to have value for your
spending, is just to go high...pretty high.
You need to apply first for a visa, which is actually nothing else than an authorization from a travel agent....which is proving you are spending big. 4 days will be fine for me, thanks! Than there is the flight. Up to few weeks ago, only Drukair was flying to Paro. Now, the have also Bhutan Air. The flight from Bangkok do also a small stop-over in Dhaka, Bangladesh...and take a total of four hour...and the price is...yes, close to outrageous. Only funny point, business class is only 18% more expensive than the cheapest economy return ticket...let's fly business...
So four days and three nights, or rather three full days of touring the Valley of Paro. The place is simply amazing, and yes, you do have the feeling of having the place to yourself. I have a great guide, Uti, to help me discover this pretty unknown place...and Dodo, our driver. I may travel alone this week-end, I was never really on my own, what a way to go inside a country.
The first day was spent touring around the little city of Paro. Next,
we spent some cool time with the locals for a match of archery and some more local dances and songs. The second day, first a little hike...just to check if the guest is able to do what is coming the next day, the Tiger's Nest. But before that, few forts, also called Dzong, as well as few temples, ad a little drive further to the Drukgyel fortress. What a day...
Next, on our third day, it's hiking to Taktsang temple, better known as the Tigers'Nest. You have seen the picture, you may not have any idea where it is. And yes, this place could be put into the list of the Wonders of the world. The hike is supposed to take around 2 hours. It's another sunny day, and in less that 1 hour and twenty minutes, we reach the top. Seems I'm not yet too down on my hiking abilities...not a bad news. We even reach the place too early...the sun is simply right where....it shouldn't be for a good picture! No worries, we take our time to tour Taktsang. You will not see picture from the inside, as we have to leave the cameras at
the entry. Point to know, the temple may be few centuries old...it burst into flames back in 1998 and took 5 years to be reconstructed.
So we spend time touring, time for a picnic on the top too...till the sun had the time to raise a little more and be out of the way for more decent pictures. I was back early afternoon at Uma Paro...for a small spa session.
Yes, three nights at Uma. I could have gone to the Aman, but the price is ridiculous...and they are lost in the forest without a view. Uma gave me a pretty cool room...using my little trick of contacting them ahead to make sure I was not put in the room without a view...well...I shouldn't have had a view, I didn't pay for it. The place is amazing, the food too...just see few of the pcitures...I really didn't expect to eat Waguy beef or Egg Royals in Bhutan, but as it's part of the package, why not.
Thanks Uti and Dodo for these few days...I've learn a lot...and had just an amazing time...
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Good you finally got there
We enjoyed our 16 days in Bhutan. The country has so much to offer. Rich in history and festivals. Thanks for the memories.