Caution: Travelling in BHUTAN has been a sort of mixed bag.  General people of that country are extremely friendly and honest.  But we had unnecessarily suffered in the hands of immigration department.  So, if you go by yourself (not through any agency), please check and recheck the dates and details of your entry permit.   If there is any discrepancy correct it very early to prevent any hassle afterwards.

However, let me take you through the tour...

Crossing the tea gardens of north Bengal, you reach a majestic gate at the border town of Jaigaon.  Enter Phuntsholing.  The architechture, mammoth prayer wheels and the attire of the general populace, instantly tell you you've reached a foreign land- the land of Drukpas.

Distant plains and rivers of Bengal stretching unto the horizon and Phuntsholing, recede below our feet and disappear, as we move deeper into the Himalayas, towards Thimpu.

The weather was good and the scenery pleasant.

Finally, Thimpu, with its colourful...

...citizens. 

The famous clock tower at the centre of Thimpu.

Exquisite Bhutanese architecture bearing the picture of King and Queen.

Smart, well-dressed policeman controlling traffic. Traffic violation fines are hefty, and the traffic is well organised.

The tranquil countryside with flowing river (Thimpu Chhu), beautiful wooden bridge over it, wild ponies, and red rhododendrons.

The tiny white clusters of Chari Monastery (built in 1620) high on the hill, waking up through the morning mist.

Instead, we took another lovely trail through the forest, the 30 minutes trek to an older, renowned monastery...

Tango monastery, founded in 12th century.We were greeted by a mild snowfall, as we reached the renowned centre of higher learning, associated with the most famous name, Drukpa Kinley. I may urge my visitors here to please read  about Drukpa Kinley before travelling to Bhutan. He was an amazing monk indeed.

We were taken to an exquisitely furnished guest room and served warm tea by our kindest host...

...the tall and handsome Lama IzeDoze.

The ambience in this highest centre of learning on a wet and misty morning was mesmerising...

Even the dogs at the monastery were extremely friendly and compassionate. As they jumped all over me, their muddy paws made a mess of my amber coloured trousers.

Bhutan's national animal-Takin. The story goes that it is created by the fusion of a goat's head with a cow's body by none other than Lama Drukpa Kinley.

Buddha Dordenma statue, overlooking Thimpu city. It is 169 feet tall and made at a cost of US$ 47 million, by Aerosun Corporation of Nanjing, China.

The statue is immaculate.  But most enthralling is the gentle, hypnotising smile.

This is how it looks from far away.

We left Thimpu on a gorgeous morning to travel further inside the country...

The most beautiful town of Wandue, on the banks of Punathichhu river.  Here, there's a temple of Drukpa Kinley for infertile couples.  If an offspring is born through his blessings, the baby's first name must become Kinley, like our taxi driver, Kinley Sithup.  His life has been amazing...

We reached Trongsa town in the evening. There was still a long way to go.

Trongsa Dzong- the largest of the forts in Bhutan.

After a night of snowfall we witnessed amazing scenes in the morning while crossing Bumthang village...

We were approaching a high pass. The beauty was breathtaking, but the terrain treacherous. Wheels of our small car got stuck in the snow and I had to be at the steering while Kinley pushed from behind.

Kinley drove very slowly and cautiously as the car was dangerously sliding towards the precipitous fall on to our left. We have been in such situations many a times in the past. I told Kinley, if it is not in our fate to die that morning, we'll surely survive. Once been a lama, he understood finer things about life and happily nodded in agreement. His wife and three children were waiting for him in far away Thimpu...

Finally we reached the top in one piece. It was a glorious morning and the rest of the passes proved comparatively docile.

BUMTHANG-JAKAR

We had reached Jakar around 9 pm in the night, crossing all the formidable, snow-clad passes and Bumthang village.  The Jakar Dzong (Fort) was already lit and was looking fabulous in the darkness.

And this is how it looked in the morning.

The mysterious Burning Lake, where Guru Rimpoche hid his treasures.

Pema Lingpa went into its mysterious depth with a butter lamp, and came back with the lamp still burning once discovering Guru's treasures.

Mr Kinley Sithup, our taxi-driver cum companion cum guide.  A wonderful human being and a very accomplished driver.

Mr Kinley had a chequered career. Once a lama, now a married man with three kids. Love can do wonders!  He had also been a guide in Trongsa museum.  We will always remember him with great fondness.

The beautiful Bumthang valley, known as the Switzerland of Bhutan.  As I've seen both, I may humbly add that there are definite similarities between the two.

Very inquisitive birds of Bumthang.  These were as interested in me as I was in them.

Inside Jakar Dzong.

The big cypress tree in the sacred monastery of Kurjey Lhakhang.  The tree acted as the walking stick of Guru Rimpoche.

The exquisite cup and plate in which tea was served in Jakar Village Resort.

PARO

I hope my above pictures convey the right sense of peace and tranquility which prevail in Paro valley.

The most remarakable beauties of Bhutan

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