Friday 17 August 2018

BHUTAN : One step closer to my soul


KUZOOZANPOLA :  BHUTAN 

one step closer to my soul


Less words, lifetime memories and heart full of happiness.

Bhutan has everything of it's own. It is complete within itself quite successfully. So to experience that difference I planned out a small trip to Bhutan. If you are planning for a short trip to Bhutan remember few things which will help you out always:

1. Never take a guide, be yourself (follow the traffic rules).
2. Travel in local bus to experience the authenticity of Bhutanese people, which will change your all misconception of living life and the best way to see the difference between our country and Bhutan.
3. Go for local food .

Lets start the journey.


There are several routs to reach Bhutan. It is always better to start your Journey from The India (for my overseas friends). In India there are few routs which will take you to Bhutan without any hassle.
As I live in Hyderabad I choose a morning flight  for kolkata (CCU) and started my journey from there. Train is my most comfortable and favourite vehicle so I booked my tickets prior in Kanchankanya Express (train no 13150) from Sealdah (boarding time: 8.30 PM) to Hasimara (destination time: 10.46 AM). There are many trains which are connected to the north Bengal from where Bhutan is easily reachable. 

Next essential thing is the PERMIT or VISA. India, Bangladesh and Maldives citizens are the luckiest one to travel in Bhutan without Visa. only the thing needs to be done is the Permit. Now there are various ways to make the permit. Those who are flying from India to Bhutan can easily get the permit done in The Paro international airport immigration service. I made my permit after reaching Phuentsholing. Phuentsholing is the border of India and Bhutan. 

closer view of Bhutan gate.

I took a share auto from Hasimara railway station which took only 40 rupees in INR and dropped me to the Phuentsholing border by 30 minutes. I had to rush because the Immigration office closes at 5 PM (originally 4.25 pm IST). Few things you required to make your permit such as-

1. Hotel booking receipt.( book from any hotel booking site where you don't have to pay initially, later you find your hotel as per budget like booking .com).
2. Complete travel plan on a white paper. ( from the starting date to ending date with places).
3. Identity proof (passport/ Voter ID) and passport size photo.

You need to fill up the Immigration form by stating the dates, purpose and ID no etc. Attach all your documents carefully along with the form and submit to the collectors. You need to go through a basic verification while submitting the documents. Once the documents are submitted you need to wait for at least half an hour for the final call where you will be actually appearing for the identification. It wont take more than 40 minutes. All total keep 2-3 hours for your permit depending on the rush. 

The most important thing to remember is the duration of permit is maximum for 6 days. If there is any extension required can be done from Thimphu Immigration service center. 
As I finished my work little late so I had to stay back in Phuentsholing. There are many hotels in Phuentsholing in reasonable prices. I stayed in a hotel call 'Karma' . The charge is 500 fr single and 800-1000/- for double. 
Another important thing is to buy a local sim card which can be issued from Phuentsholing. They will charge 100-150 with the talk time and you will get a pre activated sim card. 
Next day I started my Journey to Paro from Phuentsholing. You need to reach to the bus stand little early or better if you can buy the ticket in last night. Bus is the best mode of travel ,suggest not to travel in cab because its quite expensive and boring. The bus fare is 210/- per person from Phuentsholing to Paro which is approx 7 hours journey with the lunch break.

Phuentsholing bus station

Here starts the journey ........... The landscapes are lustrous and picturesque. you will be crossing several mountains on your way to Paro and the believe me this journey will be the most remarkable and memorable journey of your life.





view from the bus 
you can fill the change of weather very easily. The roads are beautiful with its surprising turns and twists which will make your mind and soul calm and peaceful. In between the bus took a halt for the lunch break. you can have your lunch with in 100 rps. They will serve you hot brown rice and any curry (veg/ non-veg). with this yummy lunch and a breathtaking journey I reached Paro around 4 pm and started searching for hotels. there were few localities from Paro in the bus so I got helpful information from them regarding hotels. After a quick search I found a very good hotel call 'Hotel All Season' and booked a single room fr 600/- per night. They have a restaurant inside so you can have your meal there also. After a quick refreshment I went out to explore the beauty of Paro. It's a town with good and humble people, breathtaking views of snow capped mountains, monasteries and few rivers.
                       
  
Beautiful Paro

I was truly amazed to see the beauty of Paro. As I was very excited for the next day trek to the 'Tiger nest monastery' , I started accumulating data related to the journey such as cab service, ticket fare, timing etc. I booked a cab for the next day which asked for 1100/- for the pickup and drop. It was quite a far so I agreed. My pick up time was 7.30 am in the morning and here I go for the most awaiting trek of my life 'Paro Taksang'.
The Tiger nest monastery has its ancient Buddhist mythology and the story of guru Rinpoche made me so curious to visit 'Tiger nest'. It is considered as one of the sacred Himalayan Buddhist site and was built on 1692. So my driver dropped me at the foothill from where I bought the entry ticket (500/-). Few things are important to carry - water bottle, cap, sunglass, dry fruits or biscuits and a full sleeve jacket/ T-shirt (visitors are in sleeveless not allowed in the Monastery) . It's better that if you keep one whole day for this trek and always recommended to start the trek early because the weather at the mountains change drastically. Near the ticket counter you can borrow walking sticks (50/-) or you can carry your own. Walking sticks are very helpful to balance your body weight and support on the stiff trek. The highest elevation is 10,232 feet.The whole trail a bit stiff you can complete the trek within 6-7 hours including the visit in the Monastery.


Starting of the Tiger nest trek
The whole trek includes uncountable beautiful spots. The lush green jungle of Pine and in between the you could see the mountains are popping up.
                                           

on the way to Tiger nest

Dodging the mules and horses I was making my way to the top. It was quite exciting and you could see the that the Monastery is on the other part of the mountain and you need to trek down and up again to reach the destination.

  close view of Tiger nest

Once you reach the Monastery you will found a check post where you need to show your ticket and keep all your belongings except money. Phone is strictly prohibited inside. inside the Monastery there are six different temples where you will find a mixed feel of history, faith, believe and thrill. The constructions, paintings , architecture, signs and symbols all will take you to the revealing mystery land from where you will never want a return. I completed the visit by 30 minutes and started trek down. It was an awesome experience where your expectations of trekking meets an adventure with a touch of history and myth.

I was a bit tired after the trek and reached to my hotel and decided to make few sketches of beautiful Paro.
   
sketches of Paro
If you are a nature lover and want to see the beauty of nature then it's recommended to spend more days in Paro rather than Thimphu and Punakha.
Next day I left for Thimphu as I needed to extend my permit from the Thimphu Immigration office. As I mentioned before that bus is the best transport to travel in Bhutan so I boarded in the bus and reached to Thimphu which took two and half hour.

 
Busy life at Thimpu

The modernization has touched Thimphu and the population is more though it's amazing to see that the cars don't blow their horn and people crosses the roads by following the zebra crossing only. What a blessed country!! It was not that hard to find a hotel in Thimphu. I got a room for 800/- and made my permit extended for three more days. At the evening I explored the local markets and bought some souvenirs for friends and family.

Next day I decided to visit the Buddha point and planned to leave for Punakha. Though the Buddha point was made for commercial purpose but I was very keen to see the Buddhist jataka paintings inside the museum. The gigantic golden sculpture of seated Shakyamuni will mesmerized you. Its almost 177 feet in height and creates a surreal effect with the wide open blue sky and mountain as a backdrop. Cab is the only option to visit the place and it's easily available.

                     
Buddha point, Thimphu

View from Buddha point

After experiencing the amazing view I went to the bus stand to catch my bus for Punakha. The journey was beautiful and crossed several mountains to reach to Punakha.

 
On the way to punakha

Punakha is another beauty of Bhutan. This place is quite rural and population is also less. the main source of income is cultivation. The beautiful juncture of Pho and Mo chu river is truly sublime. The main attraction is Punakha Dzong , A 17th century fortress. It serves as the administrative purposes and religious purposes. The lush green Punakha valley is mesmerizing.


Punakha Dzong

There are few more places in Punakha which should be in your bucket list. I could not complete because of my limited time. Places like - Chimi Lakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, Talo, Punakha ritsha village etc. All these places are holding the untouched beauty of nature , peace and harmony. The nature is so well preserved here that feels like a fantasy land on earth. I returned on the next day to Thimpu as I had to back to Phuentsholing to end my journey.

Here comes the end of my journey. If you have any queries related to trip feel free to write at
sahelibasu22@gmail.com

All photos taken by saheli Basu