The mystical kingdom of Bhutan stands tall and proud, veiled within the folds of the Himalayas. Untouched and refreshingly pure, it is perhaps the closest to utopia that you may find anywhere in the world
As the plane effortlessly glides between tall mountains, to land on one of the toughest landing strips, you gaze out of the window spellbound. The beauty beneath seems unnatural. How could something so pure still exist in today’s world? But exist it does. Albeit under a cloak, partly due to the mountainous terrain and in part due to the kingdom’s decision to remain at arm’s length from the world.
Also called The Last Shangri-La, Bhutan could possibly be the only untouched country left in the world. Away from the gnarly hands of commercialisation, the mountain kingdom revels in its traditions and ancient culture. Mystique hangs heavy in the air. It is the first thing you notice when you disembark from the plane at Paro. The second thing, of course, is the overwhelming beauty all around. Natural beauty that rivals Switzerland, Canada and even New Zealand, Bhutan is picture postcard gorgeous. Tall mountains, abundant rivers, low-rise traditionally decorated buildings and a general sense of contentment.
It is this sense of contentment that sets Bhutanese people apart from anyone else you may meet. There is no rush, no race to be won here. Everyone is happy counting their blessings and trying to earn good karma. It is a way of life often forgotten in the fast-paced cities of today. But here, deep in the Himalayas, it is what drives the people who focus on the country’s Gross National Happiness instead of Gross Domestic Product.
BALANCING ACT
Denne historien er fra July/August 2018-utgaven av WINE&DINE.
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Denne historien er fra July/August 2018-utgaven av WINE&DINE.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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New Blood
The next-generation is breathing new life into the forgotten art of spice-mixing, peppering the traditional trade with renewed ideas and fresh perspectives.
Sharing Is Caring
Compared to its flagship at Serene Centre, Fat Belly Social at Boon Tat Street is a classier and bolder affair, in more than one sense.
Nutmeg's Role In Singapore's History
From tales of it being used to ward off the plague in mid-1300s Europe to one of the ingredients in dessert, we have all known, tasted, or at least heard of nutmeg. But not many know of the spice’s role in Singapore’s history.
New And Improved
The ever-profound chef-owner Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida finds more room, three to be exact, to express a Ha Ri philosophy at Hashida Singapore’s new location at Amoy Street.
Pairing Spice-Driven Cuisines With Wine
Pairing spice-driven cuisines with wine has long been a challenge but with a little imagination, it doesn’t have to be.
Let Land Grow Wild
Niew Tai-Ran has worn many hats: aeronautical engineering major, investment banker, avid surfer, and, for the last 14 years, winemaker. Discover how this Malaysia-born, Singapore-native is championing the “do-nothing farming” philosophy at his vineyard in Oregon.
The South Asian Misnomer
Incredibly diverse and varied than most know, Indian food is far more intriguing than butter chicken or thosai. Here is a crash course on the extensive cuisine from region to region, recognisable for the seemingly infinite ways of using spices.
Keepers Of The Spice Trade
From its glory days along trade routes to pantry staples all over the world, spices have become so commonplace that we’ve taken them for granted. For these three trailblazers, however, spice is their livelihood and motivation: Langit Collective working with indigenous rural farming communities in Malaysia; IDH’s Sustainable Spice Initiative; and chef Nak’s one-woman mission to share forgotten Khmer cuisine.
Sugar, Spice And Everything Nice
Like food, spices bring vibrancy and variety to alcoholic beverages. Surfacing in unexpected ways on the palate, find everything from cumin to tamarind, cloves to cardamom enriching these drinks.
Building Blocks From The Archipelago
For the smorgasbord of dishes found in Indonesian cuisine, it is a little known secret that the modest bumbu, in all its variants, is the bedrock of such flavourful fare.
