Bhutan royal wedding book of congratulations

The Bhutan Media Foundation has come up with a royal wedding book of congratulations which will be presented to the royal couple soon after the royal wedding.

The book will be a collection of art, poems, and simple heartfelt messages dedicated to the royal couple. More than 1,500 messages have been received so far. Every day, a few people are coming forward to pen their thoughts and express their good wishes.

On the day BBS visited the office of the Bhutan Media Foundation, 32-year-old Dhendup Tshering who works in a travel agency had come to submit a poem for the royal couple.

Tashi Pelyang Lhendup, a Dratshang Lhengtshog employee, had come to “express my appreciation to His Majesty for what he is doing for us and the country at large. I am not much of a talker so I wanted to express my regards in writing.”

For Dechen Choki, a house wife, the occasion is an “opportunity to express my gratitude for the royal wedding and wish the royal couple the very best.”

The Bhutan Media Foundation came up with the book to provide a platform for the people to express their gratitude and best wishes.

Lily Wangchuk, the Executive Director Bhutan Media Foundation, said “we have received very good response from the people and I think most people have still not heard about it.”

Only a limited edition of the book will be published. The original copies of the messages will also be presented to His Majesty the King and the Queen.

People can send their messages till Friday.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan national airline’s ATR 42-500 aircraft grounded of technical problems

Despite conducting a three-day rimdro or prayer ceremony for its aircraft last week, the national airline’s ATR aircraft is once again grounded as a result of technical problems.

The 48-seater twin turbo propellor ATR 42-500 aircraft has been grounded since Wednesday and is expected to remain grounded until Sunday. The airline’s officiating CEO, Rinzin Dorji said that the date for the aircraft’s reintroduction into scheduled services is “tentative”.

Drukair general manager, engineering section, Thrimchong Wangdi, explained that the de-icing boot on one of the aircraft’s wing was “ruptured” and non-functioning. The de-icing boot is a rubber device located on the front surface edge of the ATR’s wings to allow for mechanical de-icing. The front surface edge of an aircraft’s wing is one area most likely to accumulate ice during flight. Ice on an aircraft’s wing can cause disruptions in airflow, leading to loss of lift or control.

According to a source, the non-functioning de-icing boot was discovered mid-air while the aircraft was flying from Kathmandu to Paro.

Drukair management and engineering downplayed the risks of such an incident.

Thrimchong Wangdi pointed out that the ATR is equipped with “2-3” redundancy measures or back up systems, in case a de-icing boot fails. “From that perspective, it’s not a very serious concern.”

This is at least the fourth grounding of the ATR aircraft since it joined the Drukair fleet in June. The induction itself was delayed by about two weeks. Two groundings were required to prevent the aircraft’s only two pilots from exceeding the accepted number of flight hours in July. A damaged wheel bearing, which required the entire landing gear assembly to be shipped to and repaired in Singapore, grounded it early this month for about two weeks.

On why Drukair has hired only two pilots, Rinzin Dorji attributed costs.

“It’s very, very expensive,” he said, on hiring pilots from abroad. Two international pilots, and two engineers have been hired with the aircraft.

The captain’s salary is about USD 10,000/month, according to Rinzin Dorji, while the engineers are paid about USD 7000/month. He pointed out that Bhutanese pilots are in the “pipeline”.

The technical problems have caused some observers to raise safety concerns with regard to the aircraft’s age. The department of civil aviation only last week said it had no concerns regarding the safety of the ATR. Drukair officiating CEO also emphasised that the ATR is in “good condition” and that thorough examinations of the aircraft had carried out before leasing it.

The ATR, which has been leased for one year, with a purchase option at the end of the term, is nine years old. It was previously operated by the French Polynesian government as a VIP aircraft, and by a domestic airline, Air Tahiti.

During its service there, the aircraft did not experience any major technical issues, according to sources. The French Polynesian government sold the aircraft for financial purposes, not because of technical problems, according to the chief of staff at the French Polynesia vice-presidency, Moetai Brotherson. “It has gone through a thorough technical expertise,” he said in an email interview. A member of the Polynesian press confirmed this.

The French Polynesian government sold the ATR to an aircraft maintenance company, Mk Tek Europe for USD 8.6 M. Drukair then leased/purchased the ATR from this company for about USD 9.8M, according to Rinzin Dorji. He pointed out that this amount was an estimation as he did not have the figures immediately.

Meanwhile, spare parts for the ATR had to be ordered from Copenhagen, Denmark, and are due to arrive today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan Income is necessary but not an end-all to be happy

It may come as no surprise but, the higher your income, the happier you are, at least in Bhutan.

This glimpse into the findings of the 2010 GNH survey was provided during a presentation at the ‘happiness and economic development’ conference, yesterday.

Yet, while income may play a major role, up to a certain extent, several other significant factors were also found to positively impact an individual’s happiness. This was mentioned during an analytical presentation of survey data on ‘subjective well-being’ by the centre for Bhutan studies (CBS) president, Dasho Karma Ura.

“But GNH isn’t equivalent to subjective well being alone,” he said. It tries to combine both objective and subjective elements of happiness, while presenting the analysis from a subjective wellbeing point of view, he said. He added that some are economic factors, such as the amount of land owned, sufficiency in household equipment and the level of education possessed. Postgraduates reported higher happiness levels than university or college graduates.

Bhutanese, who are more inclined towards positive emotions, like calmness, empathy, compassion, and contentment, are happier than those, who experience more anger, frustration, and worry.

The GNH survey also found that meditation increases happiness, although only an extremely small percentage meditated daily. But spending two hours on average in prayer daily is a general practice.

Contrary to what single Bhutanese may claim, married Bhutanese are much happier, compared to their fellow citizens, who have never tied the knot. But those, who never married, can be happier than those who married and are divorced or widowed.

Other activities that increased happiness for Bhutanese is frequent socialising with relatives, trust in others, good physical and mental health, and in which dzongkhag you live. According to survey results, living in Dagana, Pemagatshel and even Thimphu can negatively affect happiness levels.

According to statistics presented, the U-curve, whereby the happiness level of individuals drops to the lowest point some time between 40 and 50 years of age was also confirmed. But the U-curve of subjective wellbeing is flatter, if the data is restricted to farmers, because their income is stable throughout their lifecycle, while that of salaried people is not, he pointed out.

The survey also found that the happiest people are those that have “less work and more leisure, and eight hours of sleep.” The findings of the 2nd GNH survey, carried out between April and December 2010 by CBS, will be released next month. About 8,000 Bhutanese were interviewed for the survey.

Japan and Brazil too shared their experiences with GNH surveys and activities conducted so far, revealing some universal factors that contribute to an individual’s happiness.

Professor Shigeru T Otsubo, Nagoya university, pointed out that a 2010 survey in Japan found that health, family, income, and spirituality made up the main elements for happiness. He said that the desired goals for Japanese society are securing safety, concern for others, and spiritual enlightenment. He added that Japan needs a more connected society and sound economic growth.

The survey also found that females and younger people in Japan are happier, despite social conditions that favour males and older generations.

Susan Andrews, who is involved with implementing GNH in Brazil, described how far the effort has progressed. She said that the objective of Brazilian GNH is to get communities involved in decision making, establishing social networks, conducting practices for physical and mental well-being, and encouraging participatory democracy.

Like in Bhutan, an ‘educating for happiness’ program is also being implemented in Brazil. But, instead of a Buddhist-based approach, since students are of multi-cultural backgrounds, a universal scientific approach is used, she said. Some of these exercises include lighter practices, such as comedy theatre, and more serious activities, such as group “deep listening”.

Susan pointed out that youth has also be trained to conduct their GNH survey. The advantage of this approach, she said, was that the survey was not expensive.

Plans are afoot to implement the GNH approach in seven more communities.

Distrust, apathy, alienation, exhaustion, and television addiction are some of the problems Brazilian society is grappling with, according to Susan.

The three-day conference ends today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 8 Day Tour

Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 8 Day Tour.

Day 1: Arrival Paro International Airport and Drive to Thimphu.

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, The representative of Bhutan Historic Travel, your tour guide will receive you and Drive to Thimphu, the drive will take roughly Two Hours. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan since from 1974. Punakha used to the capital city of Bhutan before that. For the first one hour you will follow the Pa-Chu (Paro River) and reach Chuzom where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River and forms Wang-Chu (Chu means Water, River or Stream). Chuzom is a four direction motor road junction where one road leads to Thimphu, one to Phuentsholing the border town to India, one to Haa valley and one where you drove from Paro. It will take another One hour from here to Capital city, Thimphu. Check in the Hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 2: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to the National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces. Visit to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16^th Century. Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. Drive to Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

Visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. After Lunch drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 4: Punakha - Punakha

Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unifided Bhutan in 17^th Century.

Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty and dedicated to the well bring of the nation and love life of the Crwon Prince.

After Lunch visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. On the way back to Punakha Hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15^th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is belived that the couple who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 5: Punakha – Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu check in Hotel and explore the town.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 6: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. Check in Hotel and after a brief rest drive to National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D.

Visit the Bhutan’s oldest monastery the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Goenpo in order to subdue the Orgress in Tiber, he built 108 Stupas in Twenty Hours of time of which two are here in Bhutan, the one built on Left Knee is the Kyichu Monastery and next built on Left Toe is in Bumthang and it is called Jambay Lhakhang. The main deity inside the Monastery is the Buddha Maiteria which is commonly known as Future Buddha or reffered as Jow Jamba the same in Jokhang in Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Day 7: Paro – Paro.

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive Drugyal Dzong and on the way enjoys the view of the Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest temple”. Near the Drugyal Dzong, if the sky is clear we can see the Mt. Chomolhari on the background.

Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Drive to Airport Depart Bhutan

Early morning drive Airport and board the flight for onward destination.

Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

Thank You very much for visiting Bhutan with us at Bhutan Historic Travel and we look forward in hearing and re-organizing same Pilgrimage Tour for you, your family members and Friends!!!

Private Bhutan Tour Itinerary for 12 Days

Private Bhutan Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary for 12 Days

Day1: Arrival at Paro International Airport

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival art Paro International airport the representatives from Bhutan Majestic Travel, Guides and Drivers Introduction and will escort to Hotel Altitude of Paro is 2240mts.

Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 by Great Fortress builder to defend ourselves from Foreign Invaders, especially Tibetan Invaders in those days. Today it is the Paro District Administration Centre, Office of the District Governor, District Judge and House of the Buddhist Monks (Study and Live). After that visit the Ta-Dzong (watch tower) for Paro Dzong built in same time and later in 1868 it was changed to National Museum of Bhutan, one of the main treasures of Bhutan. Visit Festival

Evening Paro Town stalling and meeting the local Bhutanese

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 2: Paro – Paro

After breakfast drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flaming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to the Ruined Fortress the Drukgyal Dzong meaning Bhutanese Victory Fortress built in 1649 by great fortress builder and also the man who unified Bhutan in 17^th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu Distance – 65kms. 2Hours Drive.

After breakfast drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chu (River of Paro) which divides the whole Paro Valley into two after one hour you will reach the Chuzom, where the Thimphu and Paro Rivers met and forms Wangchu. Drive till Chu Zom takes about One Hour. It is again a four road junction, where one lead to Thimphu, one lead to Haa Valley, one lead to Southern Bhutan, Phuentsholing closest town to the Indian Border and one that you had just drove. It is again One hour drive from here and you will reach Thimphu for your Lunch.

After Lunch Visit the visit the Memorial Stupa, built in 1974 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the Father of Modern Bhutan, The Third King of Bhutan. This Tibetan & Bhutanese Architecture mixed Stupa has got three different sects of Buddhism such as Gongdu on the Top floor, Drukpa Kagyud on Middle with Second Buddha figure facing the Sun Rise and on the Ground Floor it is the Phurba. Visit the Festival.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to visit the Changangkha Monastery which is built in 16^th Century by the son of the Great Drukpa Kagyud Saint called Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and where the Buddhism flourishment continued in Western Bhutan. Visit the Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see the TAKIN, the National Animal of Bhutan, which has head of a Goat and Body of a Cow and as per the legend it is been created by a Saint from Tibet who visited Bhutan and popularly known as Lama Drukpa Kuenley or Devine Madman.

Drive to BBS Radio Tower (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) to get the magnificent view of Thimphu and also known as Lovers’ point.

Lunch will be served in Down Town.

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unified Bhutan in 17^th Century

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 6: Punakha – Punakha

Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Monastery built by Her Majesty and dedicated to the well bring of the nation and love life of the Crwon Prince.

After Lunch visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. On the way back to Punakha Hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15^th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is believed that the couple who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 7: Punakha – Bumthang
After breakfast drive to Bumthang. On the way visit Wangdue Dzong the third oldest Dzong built in 1638. After crossing Pelela at 3340 mts. Decend down to Rukhubji and then to Chendibji where your lunch will be served and circumambulate the Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century. Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.)

Day 8: Bumthang –Bumthang
Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso” The flaming Lake” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang – Bumthang
Day excursion to remote and beautiful Ura Valley. Picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight hotel in Bumthang

Day 10: Bumthang – Wangdue
After an early breakfast, drive to Wangdue.
Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue

Day 11: Wangdue – Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro. Lunch stop at Thimphu, after lunch shopping and going around Thimphu city, drive to Paro for overnight
Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 12: Depart Bhutan

Early morning drive to airport and board the flight for onward destination.

Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

Thank You very much for visiting Bhutan with us and we look forward in hearing and re-organizing same Pilgrimage Tour for you, your family members and Friends!!!