Bhutan - A Sweet Little Country     by RinchenChodron

#876 in Travel
1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 6 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Bhutan - a Beautiful and Peaceful Country

Bhutan is a small country north of Nepal and South of India, and next to Sikkim. It's President's stated purpose is "Gross National Happiness". It is a country where the government and the monestaries share separate wings of the same buildings.

I was fortunate enough to travel to Bhutan in February 2005. At that time there was a lot of upheaval in nearby Nepal, between the King and the Maoists. Here are some of the pictures which were taken on my tour of Bhutan. If you click the thumbnail you can see it larger, also I have added several other photos not shown here - just click any photo and you will be taken to the whole gallery.

I Highly Recommend Windhorse Tours 

Actually in Bhutan you must be escorted. It is the law. This is not a country that allows tourists to just go willy, nilly unaccounted for. The people are very much into nature conservation and the country only allows a limited number of tourists each year. This number is growing all the time, but it is still rather restrictive. So plan ahead in order to get your traveling papers (visa). Also they only allow foreigners to stay for 10 days maximum. They also tax the tourist severely. But it is worth every penny.

When I went my friend and I called the tour agency we used called WindHorse Tours and they were able to get the 2 of us into a "group" with only 2 other people. So it was the 6 of us altogether with the driver and the tour guide! What a great size for the group - intimate and we all got along great.

Because Druk Air (druk means dragon) is the exclusing government-owned airline with a monopoly in Bhutan, you must make two separate arrangements from the US. One part is the round-trip from your home to Bangkok, Thailand and your accommodations there and the second part is arranged by the tour you are using inside of Bhutan. Therefor I am making the airline destination Bangkock. You will actually need some time in Bangkok in order for your body to adjust time-wise. Also once you are in Bhutan you will be going everyday from dawn until after dinner.

In my experience the food was excellent! We never had to make any decisions except which buffet item to choose for your meal. Everything went smoothly and we saw soooo much. The countryside is beautiful, and we actually saw Mt. Everest (known there as Mt. Kalaish) on a clear day when we traversed a pass. That is very unusual!! What a thrill and a blessing.

We also took in some masked dancing at a festival and I highly recommend planning to see one of these. Our group was well matched because none of us was into trekking.

We were not a physically fit group and that suited us all well. So be sure to communicate with your tour group about what size of group you want and what you want to see and do while in Bhutan. I highly recommend Wind Horse Tours, When you give them a call or look on-line, please tell them that Marsha Camblin referred you.

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan 

If you purchase anything from this site, you will automatically be donating to the Fund for Peace.

Jamie Zeppa's book Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan is an autobiographical account of a woman who went to Bhutan to teach English and her wonderful adventures and experiences with the local Bhutanese people.

Reading this book was responsibe for my trip to Bhutan. Great writing - I've read it 3 times. Highly recommended.

Buttertea at Sunrise 

If you enjoy reading travel adventures or autobiographies
Butter Tea at Sunrise is a wonderful book! Often seen as a magical paradise at the end of the world, Bhutan is inaccessible to most travellers. Set against the dramatic scenery of the Himalaya, this beguiling memoir recalls hardships and happiness in a land almost untouched by the West.

When Britta Das goes to work as a physiotherapist in a remote village hospital, her good intentions are put to the test amid monsoons, fleas, and startling conditions. But as she visits homes in the mountains and learns the mysteries of Tantric Buddhism, the country captivates her very soul. Gaining insights into the traditions of the mystical kingdom, Britta makes friends, falls in love, and battles illness.

Throughout it all, as she writes, she worries about the "destructive nearness of technology" and fears that Bhutan's charm and innocence may soon be lost. Still, Bhutan has endured for centuries, and there is no denying that the country has transformed her life forever.

Rated 5 Stars
By Sandra Kroll

"Buttertea at Sunrise" by Britta Das is the fascinating true tale of a young woman who decides to leave her comfortable life in Canada in order to teach her physiotherapy skills to medical workers in the unique kingdom of Bhutan, just emerging from a medieval society into the late 20th century world. Having traveled in Bhutan for a few weeks recently, I was particularly interested in her observations of a somewhat different part of the country than I had experienced (she lived in southeastern Bhutan), and in a somewhat different era - although only a dozen years ago! Das's prose throughout the book is remarkable for its clarity and richness. The story is compelling, the language is satisfying.

An Excerpt From Butter Tea at Sunrise - The Dances of Light 

While in Canada Christmas is nearing, everywhere in the district of Mongar people are busy with the yearly preparations for Tshechu, a lively four-day festival in honour of Guru Rinpoche. Tshechu is celebrated in the dzong with dances, performances, and prayers, but it is also a popular social gathering, a time to chat, feast, and show off the finest clothes.

Now, two days before the big event, preparations are in full swing. On the clay stoves in village homes, colourful dishes are spiced and seasoned, there are pots of simmering rice and boiling potatoes, and bags are filled with zao and thengma. From the road, you can hear the diligent knocking of looms as oung women feverishly try to finish their new festival garments. Even the hospital is caught in the industrious calling of the upcoming celebration. patients in the ward ask to be discharged, and the outpatient chambers remain empty. No one wants to miss the commemoration of the great master Guru Rinpoche.

From within the dzong's walls, I can hear the drums of dances. It is the last day for rehearsal of the religious performances of the tshechu. Tomorrow the dancers will take a day of rest before the festival begins. Inside the lhakhang, there is much to do. Offerings are made and butterlamps filled for many hours of midnight prayers. Fruit and baked goods line the altar; packages of Dalda and sugar join a huge variety of fresh produce. Villagers offer even the most precious items for merit during this sacred festival of dance and prayer.

Bhutanese Arts, Cultural Event in DC 

Dear Friends Of The Earth,

My apologies but I could not help sharing this event info with you.
My name is Lotay Rinchen. I just completed my grad school in Sustainable
Development from Boston. I am from BHUTAN in the Himalayas and I am
currently in W/DC volunteering for the upcoming Smithsonian folk life
festival which begins on the 25th, Wednesday at 11 am. There are almost
200 people who came from Bhutan to showcase our tradition. culture, arts
and crafts, archery, Gross National Happiness (GNH) etc. It would be nice
if you stopped by lest you are in DC area. It should be fun. The festival
runs through 6th July and weblink is below:

http://www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2008/Bhutan/index.html

http://www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2008/schedule/Index.html

Have a good week and please let me know if you are in DC area.

THANK YOU friends.

Much Happiness,

Lotay Rinchen

Buddhist and Bhutan Related Link List 

Wind Horse Tours
This is the company that I highly recommend for your travels to Asia! Great people, flexible, helpful, knowledgable. I have nothing to do with this company other than I did use them for my own trip.
Tibetan Buddhism Information
This site is an educational one, with lots of information on Tibetan Buddhism.

Lost in Democracy 

This is a must watch 18 minute TV program on Bhutan and how it is changing.
Click to See this great program!

Read my Wisdom Loving Mother blog, too! 

It's all about Tibetan Buddhism

Here you will receive current events effecting Tibetan Buddhists, essential oils and feng shui.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Current Tibetan and Bhutanese stuff on eBay 

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

New YouTube vids 

YouTube thumbnail
Gross National Happiness - Bhu...

Runtime: 16:30 | 8602 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Bhutan

Runtime: 5:44 | 3402 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Dragon Kingdom - Bhutan

Runtime: 17:38 | 10978 views | Comments

powered by YouTube"

Reader Comments Have you travelled to Bhutan? 

What was your experience?

#1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Yes, I went to Bhutan

I had the best trip of a lifetime! I recommend it more...0 points

#2

Vote Up
Vote Down

No I have not, But Intend to Go

0 points

Please Rate This Site 

By clicking on the Stars at the Top of the Page (Hint 5 would be Great!)

  • Click here to Add This Lens to My Favorites


    • Thanks!

    Voting for Your Favority Bhutan Things 

    #3

    Vote Up
    Vote Down
    Bhutan: Discovering the Myths & Mystique of Bhutan

    Bhutan: Discovering the Myths & Mystique of Bhutan

    Step into 21st century Shangri-La! Tiny Bhutan, sa more...0 points

    #4

    Vote Up
    Vote Down
    ABC News 20/20 Greed

    ABC News 20/20 Greed

    Step into 21st century Shangri-La! Tiny Bhutan, sa more...0 points

    #5

    Vote Up
    Vote Down
    Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

    Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

    Step into 21st century Shangri-La! Tiny Bhutan, sa more...0 points

    Is China a Threat to Bhutan? 

    China's Bhutan incursion alarms India

    Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee held a high level meeting with top defence officials as India is worried about developments on the eastern front of the country. The Indian Army has raised an alarm at the increasing Chinese forays into Bhutan, which are close to the strategic Chumbi Valley - the tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China.

    Runtime: 1:45
    5391 views
    10 Comments:

    powered by YouTube

    Bhutanese Treasures 

    They have GREAT stamps!

    Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
    eBay

    Feedback by Bhutan Lens Guests 

    poddys

    Nice lens, I love learning about different places. 5*****

    Posted July 09, 2008
    MiaBellezza

    Wonderful lens. A co-worker went on a leave to work in Bhutan. He loved it!

    Posted July 03, 2008
    The_Homeopath

    Beautiful page. "Gross National Happiness", I love that.

    Posted June 26, 2008
    kiwisoutback

    Nice work! I like the pictures of Bhutan. I've actually never heard of this country, but it looks interesting and beautiful. Seeing the old lens format brings back some Squidoo memories too!

    Posted May 09, 2008
    eccles1

    how beautiful !

    Posted March 02, 2008
     
    1 of 2 pages