Blogs from Thimphu, Bhutan, Asia

Bhutan – it has been on our list for a long time! And it did not disappoint. A beautiful country of @ 780k people in the area @ the same size as Rhode Island. It has a constitutional monarchy with the beloved King as head of state. The country is @ 60% forested and/or protected. It definitely felt like the entire area we covered was one large national park with small villages and temples or dzongs on the hillside. Our trip covered an elevational change of 5000’ to 11,500’, many times in one day. The mountain roads consisted of switchbacks, narrow, not always 2 lane, paved roads with some pretty impressive drop-offs. But gorgeous scenery, with prayer flags everywhere!. And the rhododendrons were in full spectacular blooms! It was amazing to see the hillsides covered in ... read more

Sunday, 12th January 2020 From the time I first touch-based with Druk Asia on 8th November 2019 to the time I set foot to Bhutan took slightly more than two months. Travelling to Bhutan required engaging a travel agent who would take care of all the logistics on my behalf - air tickets, visa, accommodation, meals, a guide, a driver and admission fees. This was a fuss-free experience dealing with Druk Asia who would arrange all that. Two months on, I was ready at Changi Airport Terminal 1 to begin my six-hour flight to Paro, where the country's sole international airport is located. Given the limited seat capacity on my A319 flight, the air tickets did not come in cheap even after the 25 percent off-peak discount considering that I would be able to snatch a ... read more

Vandaag zijn we halverwege onze reis! De tijd vliegt, maar we hebben al immens veel gezien en gedaan! Vanochtend konden we Thimpu eindelijk in het licht zien toen we onze gordijnen opendeden. Voor een hoofdstad is het er enorm rustig en is er niet echt die stadsdrukte. Heerlijk! We gingen ontbijten en ik sprak er met mensen uit Noorwegen (ik had de taal al herkend en zij die van ons), die hier waren voor het werk. Aangename babbel en het ontbijt viel ook best mee. Alleen de boter is hier (zoals op sommige plekken in Nepal) niet te vreten! :) Eitjes zijn gelukkig overal lekker en met toast met confituur kunnen ze (tenzij dan in Dhampus) niet veel verkeerd mee doen. Om 9u30 werden we opgepikt door onze gids en chauffeur. Ook hier moeten we zelf ... read more

We have been so busy on this trip that there's hardly any time to write. This has been our second full day in Bhutan, first exploring the delights of Thimphu, and today travelling to Bhutan's former capital of Punakha. On our first full day here, yesterday, we visited the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, the National Textile Museum, the Traditional Medicine (herbal) Clinic, the Arts and Crafts School, and Tashicho Dzong, an historic fortress and monastery. We also stopped at the Takin Preserve, takins being Bhutan's national animal, a heavier and more solid form of antelope. Added to all that, we had a dinner date with a Bhutanese family in their home, and were treated to a cultural performance beforehand, enjoying Bhutanese singing and dancing sitting in the cold Thimphu night air. Our days seem to be ... read more

20.04.2017 In the morning, we started for Thimpu, capital of Bhutan. The distance is nearly 55 km. We started at 9 in morning and reached hotel at 11 am. Before that we went to permit office in the city as we wanted to visit Punakha Dzong next day. We need to take permit for visit to Punakha. In Bhutan check in time for hotels is after 3.00pm. Check out is 12 noon. We went to hotel and had tea. As rooms were not ready, we went out for sight seeing. Choephal Norkyi was our hotel. It is near the Clock Tower Squre. On Norzim Lam, various important offices and buildings, The clock tower square, the lhakhang near clock tower on Norzim Lam, Bhutan public library, Thimphu immigration office, National textile museum, entrance of Tashicho dzong etc. ... read more