Hi guys, I am editing my review because I think I missed out some important points(Trying to learn!!).Thanks to all who read & gave comments for my review.
Summer season has arrived & so has season of travelling.If you are looking for adventure & beauty then Bhutan is the place to be.Bhutan is one of the most beautiful country.It is country situated in the lap of the Himalayas.Every view of the country is enthralling & tranquilizing.Snow filled mountain peaks can be seen on the way to cities. I went to this country for vacations in May 2002 & this is my experience.
How to travel?
This country is close to West Bengal.So we went by our car till Jalpaigudi.Then we reached Jaigaon which is on Indo-Bhutan border. On the Bhutan side was a small city called Phuentsholing.A Traditional Bhutanese style gate welcomes your entry into Bhutan.It is advisable to take your own vehicle or hired vehicle for Bhutan because very few transportation is available in country.Jaigaon has a big shopping area with cheap goods but have to bargain a lot.
What important papers to carry?
As we got into Bhutan, we started on our way to Thimpu(Bhutan’s Capital city)we were asked for documentation papers.For Indian travellers, Visa-Passport is not necessary, but for tourists of other countries Visa-passport is compulsary. It is important to carry some document for identification for every member like Student card with photo, Election card, PAN card, etc.Also carry some extra passport size photos of every member travelling with you.
You have to report at Indian embassy, only then they let you into Bhutan.Offcials at Bhutan Check your papers before every city. As we didn’t know we had to take passport size photos of every member in Phuentsholing which proved to be costly & time consuming.Also carry the Valid license & papers for vehicle. You have to Report to Bhutan R.T.O in Phuentsholing. Forgetting any of above points may bard your entry into Bhutan.
Thimpu
Thimpu is biggest city of Bhutan.Thimpu looked very different from the conventional cities.All the buildings were made of wood with their traditional drawings on the walls, each drawing has a story behind it.The Bhutanese citizen roam around in their traditional cloths which are very different from our style.Only youngsters wear jeans.
The people are quite & friendly but do not meddle until asked.Their language is different so communication is hard, Generally don?t expect assistance from them.We did not find any temples in the city . Thimpu has many hotels & a shopping area in the main city area.
The city is not much big.Shopping area is good but mostly all goods were brought from India.Thimpu’s biggest was building UNO office.The currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum which is nearly equal to Indian rupees.Indian & Chinese food is awailable everywhere.Fill petrol in Thimpu because there is one petrol pump in whole country! Our Journey After Document check, we headed for Thimpu.
It took us Three hours to reach Thimpu from Phuentsholing.The road was beautiful & with many turns on the mountain range.Several small villages were situated on the way.Took a halt on a small roadside hotel for lunch.There are not many hotels in this area.We reached Thimpu in evening it looked beautiful in the evening rays of sun.We were tired & started looking for a place to stay.
Hotels in Thimpu were good but little expensive.Found a hotel in Thimpu on a steep of mountain.The city lights looked beautiful, but we could’nt stay for a long time outside because it became very cold. Next day, we decided to Vist Paro.
Paro
Paro is the second largest town.On the way to Paro, we saw Bhutan?s only international airport below(We were high on a mountain on the road) , which was surrounded by mountains & a river also called Paro flowed besides it.We saw a small plane land & take off .
The mountain top was filled with snow & clouds were hanging around it, the entire scenario was too beautiful to explain.There were many waterfalls, small rivers & scenic areas.On way to Paro found a beautiful hotel(i dont remember the name) which was run by an Bhutanese who had studied in India & he became very happy seeing us & chatted with us for a long time about India.
He adviced us to go till the end of the road to see real Bhutan.He gave us heavy concession, so we decided to stay there.We went to Paro city, its a small town but is surrounded by nature.There are small shops & some restaurents on the way. Decided to go till the end of the road after lunch at Paro.We did not see any other tourists.
Stopped for a lunch at hotel run by brother-Sister, Tried to talk to them but they did not understand our language.In the afternoon set on the road to the end.We left the limits of the Paro city & started out on interior of Bhutan.The road has flowing river on one side & rice fields on the other.The river water was crystal clear but cold.
As we started getting nearer to the mountains, clouds filled the sky & it started drizzling. Snow capped mountains ended the road.The whole stretch of this road was sheer nostalgic.Came back at Hotel at evening.
Next day started backward journey & reached India(Mere desh ki Dharti!) in evening.There are good treking areas but go only if you have time. This was my three day Journey experience of Bhutan which was my trip to paradise.