A SLICE OF HEAVEN

A journey to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a voyage into a gracious past, and a vibrant, colourful present. From its famed dzongs, temples, and markets, to the pristine beauty of its valleys, rivers, and fir tree-lined mountainscape, it's where tradition meets modernity in the most charming, unforgettable way.

- PRIYA KUMARIRANA

Ah, the magic of Bhutan! From the moment my Druk Air flight, which had been hovering dizzyingly close to the tree-clad 18,000ft peaks around Paro, takes an abrupt right turn, and miraculously lands on a relatively short runway of the country’s only international airport, there’s a sense of excitement and well-being. As I exit the aircraft, literally a two-minute walk from tarmac to airport, I breathe in the delicious serenity of this rugged, majestic landscape, on a cool 18°C, overcast day. This landlocked Buddhist kingdom with a population of just under eight lakh, nestled cozily south of the eastern Himalayas, where spectacular mountains, valleys, dzongs (fortresses), and Buddhist temples abound, is a country like no other, where it seems time has slowed, if not stood still, a perfect blend of modern graciousness and a vibrant, living centuries-old culture.

At its heart, Bhutan is a traditional society, with a monarchy at its helm, which is interwoven as richly and deeply as its colourful textiles. In fact, the monarchy gives this kingdom a sense of unity, as photos of a youthful His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his beloved Queen Jetsun Pema form a link between tradition, and modern progress and happiness. (In fact it was His Majesty’s father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck who coined the phrase ‘Gross National Happiness Index’ in the 1970s as an alternative to GDP to measure development.)