So much to say about Bhutan
Viv Semmens, Client.
Just what can you say about a country with Gross Domestic Happiness at its core? With Jersey cows producing excellent milk? Where everyone wears national dress? Where the children are taught in English from day one? Where there is no begging, and the people are lovely, friendly and well fed.
And this is without mentioning the plethora of monasteries, temples and fortresses. Houses, beautifully decorated and hand painted, albeit with ‘flying phalluses' (something to be seen - they ward off evil spirits!). If you hear melodious sounds coming from a behind a closed door, it is likely to be the ring tone on a monk's mobile phone!
Paddy fields of red rice tumble down the terraced hillsides, harvesting is done by hand. In this Buddhist country, think of vegetables rather than meat and regard chillies as a dish to eat with cheese sauce. Hot, hot, hot!
The scenery? White snow-capped Himalayas, with deep pine-filled valleys in-between, offering precipitous vistas around every corner. And that torturous road journey from one end of the country to the other - a 3-day trip at least! So forget it if you get car-sick.
Archery is the national sport, and we managed a respectable draw between our guide and driver on our last day - Bhutan 2, UK 2.
