THIMPHU, BHUTAN
Sat, Mar 26, 2016
We left Kolkata on a nine o’clock flight on Druk Air, the royal Bhutanese airlines. During the 50 minute flight we got our first glimpse of the jagged snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayan Mountains. After an approach between mountains, we safely landed in Paro, the sight of the only international airport in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a very remote, mountainous Kingdom located between India and China. The kingdom is ruled by a king who has brought many reforms to the country and is bringing it into the modern world. Bhutan is also officially a Buddhist kingdom, and evidence is see throughout the country. You will learn more about the land and people of the country throughout this blog.
After going through customs, we met up with Tandin, our guide for the week, and Deepok, our very able driver. From Paro, we began our 2 hour drive through the mountains to the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Along the way, stopped at the Chuzom (confluence) of the Paro and Thimphu Rivers, as well as the meeting of three roads, one going to Paro, one to Thimphu and the third runs south, eventually reaching the border with India. At the Chuzom, we stopped for a few minutes at a small local market, where Tandin introduced us to some of the local foods fixed by the locals. One thing we discover is that Bhutanese food is usually fixed with chili peppers, and is very spicy. While both of us are adventuresome eaters, Michael loves spicy food, but Belinda is a wimp.
Soon we spot Thimphu, which runs along a river valley with mountains on either side. The city is home to about 100,000 people including the King and Queen and their recently born son. We checked into the Kisa Hotel, a fairly basic local lodging, but it was comfortable and the staff was very friendly. After eating lunch, we headed out to explore some of the sights.
In the afternoon, we visited the textile museum, which showed many aspects of dress, textiles and other items used by Bhutanese people across the country. It also featured the clothes used by the royal family going back a couple of generations. Belinda was in heaven.
Finally we visited a paper making factory where they make artistic papers. Here, we got to see paper-making old style, all by hand, the way it’s been done for hundreds of years. The soaking of the bark of a local papyrus plant, making of the pulp, laying down pages on a screen, pressing to remove the water, drying and so forth. Interesting, and apparently the paper has been sold all over the world.
After dinner, we settled in for our first night in Bhutan, and probably our first opportunity for a full night’s sleep in several days. However, sleep didn’t come so easily. Apparently the dogs of Thimphu had another idea. There are hundreds stray dogs roaming the city, and they seem to love to bark at night, all night, and for who know what reason. While we did manage to get some sleep, but it wasn’t as restful as we hoped.
Tomorrow we will explore the area around Thimphu
