Kuzoozangpo La (Hello),

6 days, almost 120 hours, of Bhutan I got to see, got to experience. Yet it still feels like a long dream I woke up from just now, it’s just so unreal to me still today. It has been 2 weeks now, since I returned from Bhutan but still it’s lights is floating in my mind. A trip will probably remember for months, years to come.

My first solo trip, I’m quite satisfied that I choose Bhutan, more precisely the Central Bhutan as my destination for my first solo trip and the start of my travel writing journey. This trip means so much to me, for it being as a start of my new chapter in life. This travel reflects a hope and desire within me to have a new me and a new tomorrow.

The heart of my trip, Bumthang regarded as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom, which has been in my mind as a destination I want to be in. 2 days of wonders it was for me, technically 3 days but 1^st day was all travel, from cold winds and pleasantries to cultural and spiritual memories I brought back from my time there in Bumthang, experiences that will stay deep within my mind.

Learning about the historical values and its spiritual importance today was a meaningful one, more importantly being able to experience to Bumthang today was wonders.

Land, Jakar, regarded as “Little Switzerland” gets as scenic as you would hope it to be. But yet, it’s more than that, it being the one of most important places in Bhutan. Housing many important Monasteries of Bhutan.

Also being the house to the first king of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck. And the birth of the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa being in Bumthang, and many other famous Buddhist yogis lived and practiced here. (read more)

Considering this, you might think of it being an old school land, but no. You will see the glimpses of the modern Bhutan as like that of Thimphu, Paro and other places.

I visited four of the most important Lhakhangs in here:

1. Tamshing Lhakhang,
2. Könchogsum Lhakhang,
3. Jambay Lhakhang, and,
4. Kurjay Lhakhang.

Bumthang Brewery, Founded on 1996 by Fritz Maurer, getting to experience beer brewery was something I would just dream of but to see it in real, it was something truly unique to me. When I was planning for this trip, even in my itinerary, there was no thought of it. But upon knowing about the presence of Bumthang Brewery I asked my Guide if it was possible to visit inside. To my surprise I could and I did, seeing the makings of the beer that we consume was fresh and, afterwards every time I saw Red Panda Weiss Beer in shops I had more appreciation for it.

Then came the Bumthang Swiss Cheese factory, experiencing first-hand, the art of Cheese making in Bumthang, every step in the process of making the cheese we consumed every day. The modern and the old school methods of cheese-making, to its storage. Learning and seeing this all really make you appreciate it more.

A day’s excursion took me to Ura valley and the Ura village, nestled at an elevation of 3,100 meters. Untouched by modernization, I was able to see the Bhutan as it was and it is. Maintaining a beautifully balanced pristine nature and peaceful traditional life, with little to no disturbance of modernization, or the rush that of the world to say. (read more)

Surrounded by hills from all directions and a continuous cool breeze, it was a very pleasant environment. I saw many empty houses all over the valley, and empty roads mostly, yet it felt like a place of being. A place of satisfaction, a place you could call the return.

The people of Bhutan as I imagined before my trip, did reflect it as I had expected. Just like the two, a brother and a sister, assigned to me for my trip were wonderful and comforting. I’m very fortunate that it was them who took care of me throughout my journey there. Being in a foreign land, having people around you to help you do make a difference in how you experience the world around you.

As I saw the people around, it seemed that everyone is living a satisfactory life there. Be it the developed parts of Bhutan or isolated areas they are all comfortable and fulfilled.

Through all my travels around central Bhutan, one thing I noticed was a very few visitors from outside of Bhutan. And of how much people are missing out on skipping the beautiful lands of central Bhutan.

A lot of people in Bhutan are involved in farming. With various fruits and vegetables plantation along the hills. Planation in such a high altitude is not easy and so greenhouses can be seen quite a lot. At first when I saw a few on the way to Bumthang, I didn’t give it much attention but as I noticed more and more of it, I got a light on a farming culture I have yet to experience then.

The challenges of framing in high altitude, in such a cold temperature isn’t easy. And the use of Greenhouse to control the condition of farming is the best method currently. And to no surprise every farmland had greenhouse. I even saw greenhouses next to family homes and many homestays, using it to provide food to their household members and guest.

One thing I was anticipating to experience as I planned my trip to Bhutan was the food there. As food is the meaning that connects us, humans to each other.

And it was pleasant to my taste, as expected. To say most of the ingredients were the same yet the taste of it all were just so different. From the first day to the last day, every time I looked at the menu it was all I aware of, though the names were different. And just like different names, the taste of all I had there was pleasingly wonderful.

It was noiseless, yes. Yet there were places around where you could see colours and the lively surrounding with Karaoke’s and other presence all over even in central Bhutan. So, it would be livelier after dusk in the modernized west Bhutan.

Visiting The Royal Heritage Museum, located in Trongsa, gave me more light on the birth of Bhutan and its various significant historical events. With collections taking back to the roots of Bhutan. With various Decorative arts, Sculptures and more.

Have you ever heard of Trong Heritage? Probably not. Me neither, not until I saw its name in my itinerary.

As I walk through the cobblestone footpath surrounded by traditional stone houses, it felt like I have entered a set of a Traditional old school movie. With the songs of birds around, the cool breeze from corner to corner and the joy of children nearby, it felt very refreshing. Made me miss my childhood in my grandmother’s house.

On exiting the area, I felt like as if I travelled back to present from past. With shops of modern architecture, and the Zhemgang Dzong standing strong in front of me.

(read more)

An often-forgotten land of Bhutan, yet very significant place living in the hearts of Zhemgang, like many others in the South, Central and Eastern Bhutan. Buli is one of the villages designated as a cultural site, in Bhutan’s pursuit of preserving age old traditional hamlets and architecture.

A village in the middle of nowhere, that gets very few visitors from outside. A land that stands in the middle of a silent forest. With houses scattered all over like that of in Bumthang.

The journey towards Buli is a difficult one, yet a satisfactory result at the end of it. A quiet, cold air and a gorgeous soil, I couldn’t have asked for any more.

The people of Bhutan value its lakes to a spiritual level, taking care of it, preserving it and preventing any harm to it from humans. And the same goes for Buli Tsho (Lake).

One of the most important sacred natural sites in Bhutan. The Buli Lake has a lot of significance. And it is the protective deity of Buli, the Buli Moenmo. The locals and others worship Buli Tsho to ward off ill luck, cure sickness and to accumulate merit.

It is said to be the only lake in Bhutan that is not connected to any flowing water in any manner. And that it stays as it is always. Buli Tsho has many stories behind it that has been passed down orally. (read more)

Every year many Bhutanese are said to visit it to get its blessings.

My Bhutan visit, to say was my first time in Bhutan. With me not knowing to exactly what to expect, I had a few ideas on what to expect as Bhutan being a neighbour to us, but it defied all of what I was expecting. From its nature, quietness, culture and slow life gave pleasure to my heart.

And it’s influence to me, was it took me a few days to adjust back to my normal life back at home. That’s how much this short 6 days meant to me. It felt like a home from the very first day there.

I can talk on and on about my trip still. But it’s best that we all experience the uniqueness by ourselves and see for ourselves of what it got to offer us, that is the most organic and meaningful way of learning and connecting to the lands.

To end the trip, I spend my last day in Gelephu, Bhutan, with my family who came to pick me up. And visited various places in Gelephu, making it the telling day for me. Spending time there with my family gave that extra light to my trip.

Thanks to the efforts of Southeast Himalaya Adventure(visit site) for giving me this opportunity to explore the central Bhutan, with a custom itinerary. And thanks to the brother and sister I met there, who took care of me and guided me throughout my trip.

Kadrinche La (Thank You).