My first attempt to write an online journey blog. We are onboard Shatabdi Express and will be entering Bhutan from Kolkata, India via Phuentsoling border tomorrow. The train reached New Jalpaiguri an hour late…

Dusk from train…

Phuentsoling via Road from NJP

We reached Phuentsoling by noon and got our permit for Bhutan travel by 2pm. Since it was too late to leave for Thimpu, we stayed for the night.

Night Walk at Phuentsoling:

Shops close here by 8:30 like all hill towns. But it is pleasant to walk around. Bhutan takes pride in it’s King and Kingdom.

 One pic that is seen all over Bhutan:

From Phuentsoling we arrived at Thimpu via Road next day. Thimpu is the present capital of Bhutan. It is a small city in the valley with a lot of history. It has modern cafes and hotels but architecture is maintained on traditional norms. Entire Bhutan maintains similar traditional house/building designs.

View from the hotel room:

Attractive traditional buildings at Thimpu:

Clock tower at the Thimpu market:

Buddha’s Park at Thimpu: It is still in the making. It is a ambitious 12 year project.

Old Dzong at Thimpu:

From Thimpu we travelled to Punakha via Doechella pass. The picture below is of the famous 108 Chortens at Doechella Pass.

Punakha Dzong below is one of the most revered headquarters of religion and administration:

We returned to Thimpu and next day we went to Paro. We managed to catch closing glimpse of the famous Sunday Market/Bazar at Paro.

After evening sightseeing we travelled to Chelela Pass and HAA valley next day. It was a day long trip. Chelela is the highest Dantak point.

HAA Valley: There are ancient 8th century Buddhist temples at HAA valley. It is one of the border valleys and there is Indo-Bhutan friendship training centre at HAA Dzong.

Next day we trekked to the famous Taktsang Monastery – well known as Tiger’s Nest.

I was inspired to visit Bhutan after watching the famous TED talk by the country’s Prime Minister. His words echoed true throughout the small carbon negative country – we can be happy only when we live in tune with Nature and not try to exploit it or overpower it.