Flight To Nirvana

Aliza Fatma delves into spirituality, culture, food and wholesome living with Six Senses in the Kingdom of Bhutan

For several years I’ve pondered how one achieves an elusive state of dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. Especially as an adult when the list of things to do grows incessantly each passing day. It seems unreal and rather unsettling to be sitting idly doing absolutely nothing. Little did I know the key to feeling connected was to simply disconnect. One such partially disconnected yet magical trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan changed it all for me. It wasn’t only about how picturesque the place was but also how deeply divine and peaceful it felt. As I made the descent into the lush majestic kingdom, a sense of serenity welcomed me in Paro, the sacred valley. After numerous deep breaths of the invigorating mountain air and a complete absence of hustle, I was gracefully driven to the Six Senses property.

PALACE IN THE SKY

A blissful and winding drive of over 2000 metres above sea level took me to the heart of the Himalayan kingdom. True to its theme the Six Senses lodge in Thimphu draws inspiration from Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, the glorious clouds, and symbolises harmony above all. The scenic drive ended with a rejuvenating mix of lemongrass and cinnamon tea that I sipped, gazing at the Sangay Menlha or Medicinal Buddha fresco on the ceiling.

The Thimphu lodge is nestled in the mountains, away from the main town yet close enough to its many attractions, my favourite being the Traditional Art School of Bhutan’s thirteen arts and the Jungshi handmade paper factory. The palace doors opened to sweet murmurs of Kuzu Zang-Po La (Hello, how are you) and a stunning postcard shot of a celestial real-life painting. A clear infinity pond wrapped around the front of the palace, reflecting the mighty blue skies against the grand mountain range.